French Tertiary Decree 2026: Achieve Your -40% Target and Simplify Your OPERAT Declarations
Decree n°2019-771 mandates a progressive reduction of energy consumption in commercial buildings. In 2026, OPERAT reporting is mandatory and intermediate targets are approaching.
2026 DEADLINE: MANDATORY DECLARATION
Before September 30, 2026, you must declare your 2025 consumption on the OPERAT platform. The first verification of -40% targets will occur in 2031. Penalties for non-declaration can reach €7,500.
Wattnow streamlines this process by automating data collection and the generation of files for OPERAT.
Key tertiary decree deadlines in 2026
Several important dates structure your regulatory obligations for the year 2026.
September 30, 2026
July 1, 2026
Reference Year
2026 Controls
Who is affected by the tertiary decree?
The tertiary decree applies to a vast real estate portfolio according to specific criteria defined by decree n°2019-771.
Size Threshold
All commercial buildings with floor area ≥ 1,000 m². Areas on the same land parcel are aggregated.
Responsible Parties
Property owners and tenants are co-responsible. Action distribution must be contractually defined.
Building Types
Offices, retail, hotels, restaurants, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, cultural venues, sports facilities, etc.
Exceptions and Special Rules
Exceptions: Temporary constructions (< 2 years), places of worship, and buildings dedicated to defense or civil security are excluded.
Continuous responsibility: If a commercial activity ceases in a subject building, remaining occupants remain subject to obligations.
Reduction targets: -40%, -50%, -60%
The tertiary decree sets a binding trajectory for reducing final energy consumption, with verification at the 2031, 2041 and 2051 deadlines.
Two calculation methods available
1. Relative Method (Crelat): Percentage reduction compared to a reference year chosen between 2010 and 2022 (excluding 2020).
2. Absolute Method (Cabs): Compliance with a maximum consumption threshold (kWh/m²/year) defined by decree according to activity type.
Achieve your reduction targets with Wattnow
Our platform automates consumption monitoring, calculates your trajectory toward -40%, -50%, -60% targets, and prepares your OPERAT declarations.
30-minute demo • Your data analysis • OPERAT preparation
The OPERAT platform: declarations and monitoring
OPERAT, managed by ADEME, is the central tool for declaring your consumption and monitoring your tertiary decree compliance.
Annual Mandatory Declaration
Each year, before September 30, you must declare the previous year's consumption for all your subject buildings.
Digital Certificate
OPERAT generates a digital certificate. Since July 1, 2026, its display is mandatory in affected buildings.
Control and Verification
The platform automatically verifies target achievement in 2031, 2041, and 2051. ADEME and DREAL monitor declaration compliance.
Important clarification (August 1, 2025 Decree)
The decree of August 1, 2025, modifying the decree of April 10, 2020, specifies that the digital certificate template is now directly available on the OPERAT platform.
A transitional measure was applicable until July 1, 2026: displaying the certificate and evaluating compliance based on it were optional during this period.
Penalties for non-compliance
Failure to comply with tertiary decree obligations exposes you to administrative penalties.
| Type of violation | Penalty | Procedure |
|---|---|---|
| Late or missing OPERAT declaration | Administrative fine | After formal notice |
| Incomplete or inaccurate data | Up to €7,500 | ADEME/DREAL control |
| Failure to meet reduction targets | "Name and shame" procedure | Publication of offenders list |
How to avoid penalties?
1. Meet deadlines: Declare your consumption before September 30 each year.
2. Verify your data: Ensure completeness and accuracy of information submitted to OPERAT.
3. Anticipate targets: Implement an action plan to progressively achieve -40%, -50%, -60% reductions.
How Wattnow simplifies your compliance
Our specialized platform automates the most time-consuming tasks of the tertiary decree.
Automatic Data Collection
Connect your meters, import your invoices. Wattnow automatically aggregates all your energy consumption data.
Target and Trajectory Calculation
Our algorithm calculates your reference consumption, -40%, -50%, -60% targets, and your current progress.
File Generation for OPERAT
Export perfectly formatted CSV files ready for direct import into the OPERAT platform.
Simplified Process with Wattnow
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Frequently asked questions about the tertiary decree
You must declare your 2025 consumption on OPERAT before September 30, 2026. This is an annual obligation: each year, before September 30, you declare the previous year's consumption.
No, the year 2020 is excluded. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, consumption from this year is not representative of normal activity. You must choose a reference year between 2010 and 2022 (2020 excluded).
The first official verification of targets will take place in 2031. If you have not achieved the target, you will be in violation. It is crucial to implement an action plan now to make steady progress toward this goal.
Wattnow does not automatically connect to OPERAT. We generate perfectly formatted files (CSV) that you must then manually import into the OPERAT platform. This method guarantees you complete control over the final submission of your data.
Ready to start your tertiary decree compliance?
Don't fall behind on your 2026 obligations. Wattnow helps you automate data collection, calculate your targets, and prepare your OPERAT declarations.
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