On the occasion of the entry into force of the 6ᵉ period of energy saving certificates (CEE), this article proposes a deciphering the regulatory framework applicable from 2026 to 2030, focused on issues and consequences for companies.
The regulatory framework for the 6ᵉ CEE period
The 6ᵉ period is defined by the decree no. 2025-1048 of October 30, 2025, applicable from 1ᵉʳ January 2026 to December 31, 2030.
This decree mainly sets out :
- The overall level of obligation of energy savings to be achieved by obligated parties, expressed in TWh cumac ;
- The rules for allocating this obligation between energies and obligated parties ;
- The terms and conditions delegation, control and transparency ;
- The EEC programs.
The decree does not define the detailed content of standard operation sheets, nor their specific technical conditions: the latter are set out in specific separate texts or in the official card catalog updated by the administration.
Bond level and structure
The 6ᵉ period (P6, 2026-2030) sets a mandatory annual level of 1,050 TWh cumac :
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+27% compared to 2025 (825 TWh cumac),
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+35% compared with the annual average for 2023-2025 (780 TWh cumac/year).
Thetotal P6 obligation reaches 5,250 TWh cumac over 5 years, compared with 2,500 TWh cumac for P5. For the first time, this obligation is defined in terms of five years until 2030. This structuring will enable companies to better anticipate the integration of CEE into their business plans. action plans and their energy efficiency trajectories.
Economic selectivity and steering
The regulatory text commits to a logic of’greater system efficiency :
Economic selectivity
When creating or revising standardized sheets, the administration now examines criteria such as :
- The return on investment,
- The public aid coverage rate.
These items are not binding on companies, but they are used by the authorities to assess the economic relevance of data sheets and, if necessary, maintain, modify or delete them.
Anticipated management of operations
The decree confirms the requirement for declare energy-saving operations as soon as they are undertaken with the relevant authorities. This means that companies must take the EWC issue on board. before launching a project, This is just as important as profitability analysis or investment/operating arbitrage.
Tighter controls
Strengthening the resources dedicated to national EWC cluster aims to improve traceability of operations and the quality of checks, whether carried out before or after certificates are issued.
Standard operation sheets: framework maintained, more demanding use
The standard operation sheets remain the the cornerstone of the CEE scheme for companies. The decree does not modify the architecture, but tightens their conditions of use.
In 6ᵉ period, their mobilization involves in particular:
- A declaration upon engagement of the operation ;
- The strict compliance technical and administrative criteria ;
- Increased vigilance on actual commissioning and the keeping in operation equipment.
Standard operation sheets: principle and use
The standard operation sheets are the main method of issuing CEE for energy efficiency actions. They define :
- The types of eligible operations ;
- The minimum conditions (technical and administrative) ;
- The energy savings package associated with each action, expressed in kWh cumac.
Type of cards
The cards are organized by line of business and by family of operations (equipment, envelope, utilities, thermal, services, etc.). They are not directly defined by the P6 decree, but the decree is in line with the logic of the P6.’device efficiency which influences their development and revision.
Important The standardized data sheets are neither a tool for regulatory compliance with other obligations (e.g. tertiary sector decree or BACS obligations), nor a guarantee of financing. They offer a framework for valuing operations that comply with their criteria, but are not a guarantee of financing. each project must be examined on a case-by-case basis.
Examples of standardized sheets by sector (effective February 13, 2026)
The data sheet references cited correspond to the official catalog effective February 13, 2026 and are given for information only ; This catalog may be modified by regulation.
Industry
Industrial projects (including agri-food processing sites) mainly mobilize data sheets relating to utilities, the process equipment and certain uses of industrial buildings.
Examples of projects :
- Recovery of waste heat from industrial processes, with temperature enhancement by heat pumps to supply other thermal uses on the site (IND-UT-137) ;
- Storage of waste heat to smooth out energy requirements and optimize the use of recovered calories (IND-UT-139) ;
- Converting waste heat into electricity or compressed air, with a view to overall optimization of industrial utilities (IND-UT-138) ;
- Setting up a system for measuring and monitoring energy performance indicators, for reliable data and long-term action management (IND-UT-134).
Agriculture (farms, livestock, greenhouses)
The sector Agriculture has its own dedicated data sheets, separate from the Industry section. In particular, they cover greenhouses, the dairy refrigeration, some thermal systems and utilities.
Examples of projects :
- Global energy optimization for a greenhouse, combining heat recovery, high-performance thermal equipment and improved heating systems (AGRI-TH-109, AGRI-TH-110) ;
- Heat recovery and performance improvement on dairy cooling plants, to reduce cooling-related energy consumption (AGRI-TH-103, AGRI-TH-105) ;
- Energy optimization for livestock buildings, The new system includes heat recovery and high-performance ventilation systems. (AGRI-TH-113) ;
- Installation of variable speed drives on motors, to reduce the electrical consumption of equipment (AGRI-UT-102).
Tertiary (offices, shops, establishments)
In the tertiary sector, the sheets cover the’envelope, the equipment and the technical management/steering.
Examples of projects :
- Deployment of building management systems (BMS) to control and optimize energy use at one or more sites (BAT-TH-116) ;
- Heat recovery from refrigeration units, in buildings with high cooling requirements (BAT-TH-139) ;
- Improving the energy performance of data centers, by confining cold and hot aisles and optimizing control (BAT-TH-153) ;
- Structuring an Energy Performance Contract (EPC) Services, to provide a framework for energy performance over time (BAT-SE-104).
Multi-site projects
Some data sheets (in particular GTB, lighting, envelope) can be mobilized site by site, in a logic of progressive deployment on a portfolio of assets.
Discover all the CEE standard operation sheets on this official page.
Points to watch for companies
When implementing CEE projects in P6, several factors must be taken into account:
Anticipating procedures
The early notification of the operation is now essential. Adequate treatment of EWC aspects must be ensured before starting work.
Rigorous documentation
Complete, traceable records are needed to ensure that certificates are issued in the event of a subsequent inspection.
Economic relevance
The rationale for examining economic criteria (IRR, coverage rate) requires projects to present a real energy relevance.
CEE programs: a complementary component
Over the entire 6ᵉ period, the decree provides that up to 500 TWh cumac can be issued for EEC programs.
The programs are not intended to replace standardized data sheets, but rather to provide a means of complementary channel to structure approaches or support players, particularly on cross-functional or collective issues.
6ᵉ CEE period: leverage confirmed, requirements increased
The 6ᵉ CEE period confirms the sustainability of the system, For companies, SOPs are still a useful tool for monitoring, controlling and ensuring the quality of operations. For companies, standardized operation sheets remain an essential relevant valuation tool, provided that they are mobilized in projects strictly in line with defined criteria and rigorously documented.
The challenge for the 2026-2030 period is not only to mobilize CEE, but from secure them within a demanding regulatory framework, with a particular focus on technical and methodological aspects.
Do you have a’energy efficiency and want to mobilize financing (CEE, public grants and subsidies), but you're not sure how to coordinate the various schemes, whether they're eligible or how to implement them within a compliant framework?
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