In force since 2022, the 2020 Environmental Regulation (RE2020) redefines the energy and environmental requirements for new construction in France.
RE2020 is the environmental regulation governing new construction in France since 2022, succeeding RT2012, which focused mainly on thermal performance. Its major difference: it now incorporates a building's carbon impact over its entire life cycle, from the manufacture of materials to the end of the building's life, and no longer just its energy consumption in use.
Understanding the subject
In practical terms, this means that the choice of building materials is now assessed in the same way as insulation or the heating system. A material with a low manufacturing carbon footprint, such as timber or recyclable steel, becomes a compliance criterion and no longer just an aesthetic or ecological argument.
Going further
The regulation also requires better summer comfort, in response to increasingly frequent heatwaves: buildings must now limit the number of hours of thermal discomfort without systematically resorting to air conditioning, which encourages rethinking orientation, solar protection and thermal inertia from the design stage.
For prefabricated modular homes, this regulatory change fits naturally with an approach already present in the sector: workshop-built construction limits site waste, a lightweight steel structure makes end-of-life recycling easier, and reinforced insulation as standard directly meets thermal performance requirements.
Practical advice
Understanding RE2020 therefore makes it possible to assess a construction project (modular or traditional) better, no longer just on its price or its aesthetics, but on its long-term environmental consistency. Our dwellings comply with this regulation; details of our certifications are available on the Our approach page.
An architectural perspective
Frequently asked questions
Since when has RE2020 applied?
RE2020 applies to building permit applications submitted since 1 January 2022 for residential buildings, succeeding RT2012.
Does RE2020 apply to modular homes?
Yes, as long as it is a new residential building subject to a building permit or prior declaration, in the same way as traditional construction.
