ISO 50001: definition and application in an energy management system (EMS)
ISO 50001, the best way to reduce your energy consumption and improve your performance.
ISO 50001 standard: definition
The ISO 50001 standard was created in 2011 and revised in 2018. As its name suggests, this is a standard drawn up by the international body ISO (International Organization for Standardization). It aims to improve the energy performance of certified sites. The ISO 50001 standard is aimed at companies of all sizes wishing to implement an energy management policy. Like many other standards, it is based on a logic of continuous improvement.
ISO 50001 is already well established around the world, as it is in France.
According to ISO, nearly 25,000 organizations (companies, public and private authorities and institutions) worldwide are ISO 50001 certified, representing a total of over 60,000 sites by the end of 2023.
According to the same source, more than a thousand organizations were ISO 50001 certified in France by the end of 2023, representing a total of 6,300 sites.
France is a long way behind Germany (10,300 certified organizations), Italy (1,900) and the UK (1,500), but ahead of Spain (989), Poland (266) and the Netherlands (149).
ISO 50001 certification is valid for three years, subject to completion of annual surveillance audits. The renewal audit can either be carried out by the original certifier (but by a different auditor), or by another body.
6 300
The number of ISO 5001-certified sites in France by 2023.
Source: ISO
Implementing an energy management system is at the heart of certification
More specifically, ISO 50001 defines and standardizes the methodology for optimizing energy management. Certification and maintenance of ISO 50001 over time is facilitated by the implementation of an energy management system (EMS or EMSn) that incorporates the ISO 50001 methodology.
The approach is based on six main stages:
1. The appointment of a representative with the skills needed to ensure the effective operation of the EMS (often referred to as the “Energy Manager ” within the entity).
2. The development of an energy efficiency policy adapted to the uses and consumption of the sites concerned.
3. Setting quantified targets for improving energy performance.
4. Gathering and analysis of initial data (in particular energy consumption) to be used as reference values.
5. Programming and carrying out the necessary work and adaptations, with an action plan.
6. Measuring quantified results and pursuing continuous improvement.
The PDCA approach stands for plan, do, check, act.
What are the advantages of ISO 50001 certification?
The implementation of an energy management system (EMS) leads to an improvement in energy performance and thus generates both :
- Lower energy bills (all else being equal) thanks to optimized energy consumption.
- A reduction in greenhouse gas emissions linked to CO2-emitting energy consumption.
- Note that ISO 50001 certification may also entitle you to a reduction in the general tax on polluting activities (TGAP), for example for the thermal treatment of non-hazardous waste.
- In addition to getting employees more actively involved in energy issues, the ISO 50001 standard can also provide certified entities with an image benefit (in the same way as the various other quality standards) in terms of energy and the environment.
Accelerating regulations on energy management
On April 3, 2025, Parliament passed the DDADUE law, transposing the European directive on energy efficiency. This law, on the Various Provisions for Adaptation to European Union Law, introduces reinforced obligations for companies in terms of energy management.
From an annual consumption of 2.75 GWh/year, companies are obliged to carry out an industrial energy audit or implement an EMS if their consumption exceeds 23.6 GWh. Here is a summary table of obligations, exemptions and penalties:
| Consumption between 2.7 GWh/year and 23.6 GWh/year | Consumption > 23.6 GWh/year | |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of obligation | Carry out an energy audit before October 11, 2026, to be renewed every four years. | Implementation of an ISO 50001 energy management system by October 11, 2027. |
| Exemptions | – If a certified environmental management system is implemented, which includes an energy audit that complies with the methodological requirements for carrying out an energy audit; – If an energy performance contract covering at least 80% of their final energy consumption is implemented (EPC requirements defined by decree). Derogations specify requirements. These requirements will be defined by decree and have not yet been published. | Ditto |
| Exemptions | Companies that have implemented an ISO 50001 energy management system: this certification includes an energy audit that goes further than the legal obligation. | |
| Sanctions | An administrative fine proportionate to the seriousness of the breach, the company’s situation, the extent of the damage and the benefits derived, up to a maximum of 2% of sales excluding VAT for the last financial year (4% in the event of a repeat offence). | Ditto |
If you’re interested in ISO 5001 certification and would like to set up a certified EMS, please contact us.
Without the right tools, an ISO 50001-type EMS can be very time-consuming. The MyDametis platform facilitates operational management of the ISO 50001 methodology. MyDametis enables you to define reference situations, monitor significant energy use (SEU), track KPIs to detect drifts and report anomalies.
A subsidy is available until October 1, 2025 for the implementation of an EMS.
In France, the public authorities award a bonus (called PRO-SMEn) to support the implementation of an energy management system compliant with the ISO 50001 standard.
For the period 2023-2026, the PRO-SMEn fund is endowed with a total of 11.2 million euros. The fund is financed by a number of energy suppliers, who receive energy saving certificates (CEE) in return.
It is managed by the technical association for energy and the environment (ATEE) as part of the PACTE Industrie program. ATEE coordinates the scheme, examines applications and pays out bonuses.
During the 2018-2022 period, 306 organizations benefited from the bonus for a total amount of €11.6 million, representing an average subsidy of almost €38,000. Over this period, 69% of bonus beneficiaries belonged to the industrial sector.
To qualify for the PRO-SMEn bonus, you must meet the following conditions:
- The company must be registered with the Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés. Note that there are no company size criteria: all companies are eligible, provided they belong to a defined list of eligible NAF codes. This list can be consulted by clicking here.
- All sites within the certification perimeter must be located in France.
- Only first-time certifications are eligible (consequently, extensions or renewals of certifications are not).
- The certificate of conformity to ISO 50001 must have been issued by an approved certification body.
The amount of the bonus is calculated on the basis of the annual energy expenditure for the last financial year of the sites included in the certification scope. Energy expenditure includes bills for electricity, gas (mains and butane-propane), solid mineral fuels, fuel oil (heavy and domestic), petroleum coke, steam/hot water, biomass and all fuels.
Note that these are so-called “net” energy costs, i.e. after deduction of any government subsidies received during the year to reduce bills (e.g. tariff shield). On the other hand, the PRO-SMEn bonus can be combined with certain other subsidies (PACTE Industrie program, CEE Isolation, etc.).
The amount of the bonus is equal to 20% of energy expenditure, excluding VAT, up to a maximum of €200,000 excluding VAT/year.
Up to €40,000 excl.
The PRO-SMEn bonus for the period 2023-2026
Source: PRO-SMEn
What’s more, under the Energy Efficiency Directive of September 2023, companies whose energy consumption exceeds an average of 23.6 GWh/year (85 TJ/year) over the last three years are required to implement a certified energy management system by October 11, 2027. By anticipating this deadline, you are eligible for the bonus.
To qualify for the PRO-SMEn bonus, you must :
- Register by completing and returning a questionnaire to ATEE before October 1, 2025.
- Apply for the premium once ISO 50001 certification has been obtained, by returning an application form to ATEE before May 31, 2026.
The questionnaire and form can be downloaded by clicking here.
Regulations to be transposed on March 10, 2025
It is important to point out that the directive is currently being transposed into French law, and the DADDUE law, adopted by the National Assembly on February 17, 2025, has been under discussion in the Senate since March 10, 2025. However, no specific information on any changes or postponements to the obligations relating to energy management systems for companies consuming more than 23.6 GWh/year has been noted during discussions in the Senate. The companies concerned are therefore advised to follow legislative developments closely and prepare accordingly.
