France implements new energy and transport regulations

New regulatory requirements are impacting the French commercial real estate and transport sectors. Under the ‘Décret tertiaire’, owners and operators of commercial buildings larger than 1,000 square meters must follow mandatory energy reduction trajectories. The mandate requires a 40% reduction in energy consumption by 2030, 50% by 2040, and 60% by 2050. Compliance involves annual reporting of energy performance on the OPERAT platform managed by ADEME.

In the transport sector, moving companies face new operational constraints. Starting July 1, 2026, light commercial vehicles over 2.5 tonnes used for international freight or moving services must be equipped with second-generation smart tachographs. These devices track driving time, breaks, rest, and border crossings. Additionally, Low Emission Zones (ZFE) will remain in effect across approximately forty urban areas with populations over 150,000, following a Constitutional Council decision to uphold their application.