French building owners have been granted additional time to upgrade commercial properties with energy-efficient control systems. A recent decree published December 27,2025,extends the deadline for complying with Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) regulations to January 1,2030,addressing concerns about the cost and complexity of retrofitting existing buildings [[2]]. The BACS mandate,stemming from the broader French energy transition goals,aims to optimize energy performance in buildings through automated controls [[3]].
French authorities have extended the deadline for building owners to comply with energy efficiency regulations for commercial properties, pushing the implementation date back to January 1, 2030. The decision, formalized in a decree published on December 27, 2025, impacts the Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) mandate.
The delay reflects concerns over the logistical challenges and potential costs associated with retrofitting existing buildings, particularly for public sector entities. Currently, only 16% of commercial buildings exceeding 1,000 square meters are equipped with a BACS system.
While larger buildings are further along in the adoption process – 84% of those over 20,000 square meters have BACS installed – compliance rates drop to 32% for buildings between 10,000 and 20,000 square meters, according to data from the Syndicat des entreprises de la transition énergétique et numérique (Serce).
Serce, a professional organization representing 260 companies, estimates that achieving a 50% BACS adoption rate across the building stock would equate to annual energy savings comparable to the entire region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur’s yearly energy consumption. This highlights the potential economic benefits of widespread implementation.
What the Decree Stipulates
The regulation requires commercial buildings with heating or cooling systems ranging from 70 to 290 kilowatts (kW) or exceeding 290 kW to install a BACS system to monitor and control energy performance. The move is part of a broader effort to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in the building sector.
Originally slated to take effect on January 1, 2027, the mandate will now be enforced starting January 1, 2030, for installations within the 70-290 kW range. New construction projects, however, will still be required to comply with the BACS regulations beginning January 1, 2027.
