The OPERAT declaration is often perceived as an administrative formality.
In fact, it is the main proof tool used by the authorities to assess, over time, the compliance of tertiary sector players with the objectives of the tertiary sector decree.
Data declared, scope chosen, reference year, consistency between players: each choice made on the OPERAT platform commits the regulatory trajectory of the entity concerned, sometimes for several decades.
OPERAT: ADEME's reference platform for monitoring the tertiary sector decree
OPERAT is ADEME's official platform for monitoring the Éco Energie Tertiaire program.
It is the reporting framework of final energy consumption for buildings subject to the tertiary sector decree.
The data entered on OPERAT enables the administration :
- Centralize the energy consumption of the tertiary sector concerned; ;
- Assess the progress of subcontractors in relation to regulatory targets; ;
- A common basis for issuing annual certificates and analyzing compliance situations.
In this context quality, consistency and completeness of reported data are crucial.
Incomplete or inconsistent declarations may complicate the assessment of the regulatory trajectory, requiring subsequent additions or corrections.
OPERAT 2026 declaration: a deadline not to be missed
The OPERAT declaration is annual and mandatory for each entity subject to the tertiary decree.
Key deadline to remember
- Consumption concerned : year 2025
- Declaration deadline : September 30, 2026
This deadline marks a turning point:
- gradual end of the tolerance phase,
- widespread use of standardized digital certificates,
- ramping up controls using OPERAT data.
A delay or incomplete declaration is no longer neutral: it immediately undermines regulatory compliance.
Who is really responsible for the OPERAT declaration?
Contrary to popular belief, OPERAT does not rely on a single player.
Responsibility is shared, and ill-defined in many organizations.
The following may be involved:
- The owner or lessor,
- The tenant or occupant,
- The manager or authorized agent.
The rule is not “who declares”, but who is responsible for which data :
- Surfaces and regulatory perimeter,
- Collective consumption,
- Private consumption,
- Type of activity.
Incorrect allocation of roles is one of the main causes of errors in OPERAT.
The taxable functional entity (TFE): the backbone of the system
With OPERAT, all reasoning takes place at the scale of the’reporting entity (EFA).
An EFA corresponds to a building - or group of buildings - housing tertiary activities on a plot of land. at least 1,000 m² in size.
This division is crucial because it determines :
- Scope of consumption taken into account ;
- Allocation of responsibilities between players ;
- Calculating regulatory targets.
A poorly defined CPE leads mechanically to :
- Inconsistent data,
- An unsuitable trajectory,
- Increased risk in the event of an inspection.
What data is really relevant to compliance?
On OPERAT, consumptions are declared in final energy, based on billing data.
The uses concerned include
- the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning),
- the specific energy uses (USE), such as lighting, domestic hot water...
This data must be :
- Complete (12 months),
- Consistent between players,
- Justified in case of anomaly.
Climate adjustment is applied automatically by OPERAT, but the quality of the result depends directly on the quality of the data entered.
The reference year: a structuring choice often underestimated
OPERAT does not automatically select the most favorable reference year from the available history.
At the time of declaration, the 2010-2019 reference period is defined, then the year selected must be explicitly chosen and entered by the declarant, with corresponding consumption data.
This setting implies a upstream choice, The quality of these data directly determines the reference year used.
Misunderstanding this logic can lead to :
- Unnecessarily restrictive targets,
- A hard-to-reach trajectory,
- Late recourse to modulation.
OPERAT certificate: much more than just a document
Once the declaration has been validated, OPERAT generates a annual digital certificate.
This certificate certifies :
- Adjusted consumption,
- Applicable objectives,
- The status of the trajectory,
- Éco Energie Tertiaire rating.
It is now a reference document, mobilizable :
- During regulatory inspections,
- In the financing process,
- For energy and non-financial reporting.
Sanctions and exposure to regulatory risk
Non-compliance with OPERAT reporting obligations is subject to several levels of penalties:
- 7,500 fine for a legal entity ;
- 1 500 € per building for an individual ;
- Possible publication of the name of the failing structure (name & shame).
To avoid these pitfalls, it's essential to master all the pillars that make it possible to’ensure your compliance with the Tertiary Decree, from data collection to the achievement of reduction targets.
Errors that most often weaken an OPERAT declaration
In practice, certain mistakes are frequently made:
- Poorly defined EFA perimeter ;
- Forgetting to consume collectively ;
- Inconsistencies between lessor and lessee ;
- Confusion between final energy and primary energy; ;
- Late declaration without justification.
These errors, often linked to inaccuracies in scope, incomplete data or differences in interpretation, can have lasting consequences on the trajectory.
Need to secure your OPERAT declaration?
Support helps to ensure data reliability, clarify responsibilities and avoid structural errors.
FAQ - OPERAT declaration
Is OPERAT a simple reporting formality?
No. This is the tool on which the administration bases its assessment of compliance with the tertiary decree.
Does the declaration have to be made every year?
Yes, the annual declaration is a prerequisite for OPERAT certification and monitoring of the regulatory trajectory. It must be made by September 30 of each year.
Can the OPERAT declaration be delegated?
Yes, to a mandated manager or service provider.
Is OPERAT enough to comply with the tertiary sector decree?
No. It keeps you on track, but you need to take action to achieve your goals.
What to do in the event of technical, economic or heritage constraints?
Adjustments can be made via a modulation technical file.
Find out more about these adjustments and their conditions of application, read our article on the technical modulation of the tertiary sector decree.
