Mandatory energy audit in industry: everything you need to know
Carbon impact, bills: energy consumption can quickly become costly for manufacturers. Managing consumption is therefore at the heart of industrial concerns, but also of the State’s: focus on the mandatory energy audit in industry.
Mandatory energy audit in industry: am I concerned?
Some companies emit more GHG than others, and to encourage large companies to increase their energy performance, the European Union has put in place new obligations, defined in the DDADUE law. This law particularly concerns many manufacturers, who are very energy-intensive due to their daily production activities.
Among the obligations of the DDADUE law is the mandatory energy audit in industry and the implementation of an energy management system compliant with ISO 50001 certification. While the audit obligation previously applied to company size, it is now linked to the company’s annual final energy consumption over the previous three calendar years. Furthermore, the obligation to implement an ISO 50001 EMS also follows this rule.
Consumption between 2.7 and 23.6 GWh/year
Obligation to carry out a first mandatory energy audit before October 11, 2026. This will then need to be renewed every 4 years.
Only possible exemption: implement an energy management system (EMS) compliant with the ISO 50001 standard.
Consumption above 23.6 GWh/year
Obligation to implement an ISO 50001 EMS before October 11, 2027.
Essential information!
The obligations apply at the SIREN level. Example in industry:
- If the SIREN consumes between 2.75 and 23.6 GWh/year: the group must carry out a mandatory energy audit in industry that will cover its main sites (to cover at least 80% of its overall consumption).
- If the SIREN exceeds 23.6 GWh/year: the group must implement an ISO 50001 EMS at the majority of its sites or its most energy-intensive sites. In this case, the scope covered by the obligation must also represent at least 80% of overall final energy consumption.
Non-compliance with the obligation, what are the penalties?
DREAL can impose a fine of up to 2% of the pre-tax revenue of the last closed fiscal year. In case of repeat offense, the fine can increase and reach up to 4% of pre-tax revenue.
Do you need to carry out a mandatory energy audit in industry or be ISO 50001 certified? Dametis supports you!
Some companies also choose to conduct an industrial energy audit even if it is not legally required. The audit enables precise identification of opportunities to reduce consumption and lower the carbon footprint.
What does the mandatory energy audit in industry consist of?
Beyond being a simple obligation, the mandatory energy audit in industry is the starting point for implementing a viable long-term roadmap. Because its approach is highly regulated.
- Organizations conducting external audits must hold a specific qualification, such as OPQIBI 1717 certification, issued by an organization according to ISO/IEC 17065 standard.
- In the case of internal auditors, it is necessary to ensure they meet the competency criteria defined by the decree of July 10, 2025, relating to corporate energy audits.
- The audit must cover at least 80% of the energy bill amount.
Beyond these obligations, auditors ensure they follow the methodology of the NF EN 16 247 standard, structured in several stages.
- Definition of the audit scope: should a particular process, workshop, or the entire site be analyzed?
- Energy consumption survey. While data collected in real time via EMS software gives an idea of the site’s operation, it is essential to visit the site to inspect the facilities and speak with people on-site to better understand their challenges and constraints. During the mandatory energy audit, energy consumption related to production, distribution, and use of utilities is analyzed.
- Establish an initial energy assessment, including an analysis of consumption history, an evaluation of facility operation and sizing relative to actual needs, as well as the calculation of EnPIs (Energy Performance Indicators, linked to SEU) to compare them to a reference.
- List improvement actions aimed at reducing energy consumption. The economic value of the various operations must be analyzed based on their investment costs, operating costs, the amount of potential financial aid, and the savings generated. The return on investment of the various actions will establish an initial order of priorities, supplemented by other qualitative criteria (ease of implementation, secondary impacts, etc.).
- Write the audit report to establish the plant’s energy profile, quantify potential savings, and present an action plan specifying the energy and financial ROI.
- Submit the mandatory energy audit report in industry on the ADEME platform.
The benefits of the mandatory energy audit in industry
10 to 20%
average savings following implementation of actions proposed by the audit
Source: ADEME
Following the mandatory energy audit, the manufacturer has a detailed action plan. By following the recommended actions according to the priorities defined by the auditor, the manufacturer can benefit from various advantages:
- Improvement and sustainability of energy performance
- Reduction of energy consumption
- Reduction of energy-related costs
- Reduction of carbon footprint
- Better energy resilience
If the manufacturer wishes to go even further in their energy performance, they can carry out an in-depth energy audit. This will allow for more detailed analysis of a specific process or certain utilities, while meeting regulatory requirements.
