Is the regulatory energy audit mandatory?

The regulatory energy audit is a systematic assessment process of the energy consumption of an industrial company, in accordance with current regulations. Its goal is to identify energy saving opportunities and to propose concrete measures to improve the company’s energy efficiency.

This audit is carried out by qualified experts, in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. It includes a detailed analysis of the facilities, equipment, processes, and energy practices of the company, as well as the collection and analysis of relevant energy data.

It allows **to identify sources of energy waste and inefficiencies in industrial processes**. By highlighting areas of excessive or suboptimal consumption, the energy audit provides improvement opportunities to reduce energy consumption and associated costs.

In addition, the regulatory energy audit aims to **assess the potential use of renewable energy sources or more efficient technologies**. It allows **to identify the necessary investments** to improve energy efficiency and quantify potential energy savings.

It allows **to optimize production processes, improve profitability by reducing energy costs, and enhance competitiveness in the market**.

Furthermore, it contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy transition, and achieving environmental objectives.

Several laws and regulations have been put in place to encourage companies to carry out energy audits. In France, the main law is the law on energy transition for green growth (LTECV) of 2015. It requires companies of certain sizes and activities to conduct regular energy audits.

Other regulations may also apply, such as the European Directive on Energy Efficiency (DEE), which requires Member States to implement energy audit measures for large companies, or the ISO 50001 standards on energy management.

The thresholds and criteria determining the obligation to carry out an energy audit vary depending on the specific regulations. For example, according to the LTECV law, companies with more than 250 employees or with an annual turnover exceeding 50 million euros, as well as those belonging to certain specific sectors, are required to conduct an energy audit every 4 years.

Decree No. 2015-1823 of December 30, 2015, concerning the codification of the regulatory part of the Energy Code, defines the thresholds beyond which a legal entity must conduct an energy audit.

The obligation to carry out a regulatory energy audit mainly concerns industrial sectors with high energy consumption. This includes manufacturing, chemical, agri-food, metallurgical industries, as well as the construction, transport, and logistics sectors.

Regulatory energy audit represents a valuable opportunity to identify energy saving opportunities within your industrial company. By conducting a detailed analysis of your energy consumption, you will be able to identify areas where improvements can be made and savings can be achieved.

This may include identifying energy-intensive processes, energy losses, or inappropriate consumption behaviors. With this information, you can implement specific measures to optimize your energy consumption, reduce your operational costs, and increase your profitability.

By carrying out a regulatory energy audit, you will be able to improve your company’s energy performance. By identifying and implementing energy efficiency measures, you can reduce your energy consumption, decrease your carbon footprint, and enhance your environmental performance.

Enhancing your energy performance can also strengthen your competitiveness in the market. Consumers and clients are increasingly sensitive to environmental issues and attach growing importance to companies that adopt sustainable practices.

By improving your energy performance, you can position yourself as a responsible company, attract new customers, and retain existing ones.

The first step involves **collecting and analyzing energy data**, such as consumption readings, energy bills, equipment characteristics, process diagrams, etc. This data collection is essential to **understand your consumption profile and identify areas with high energy-saving potential**.

Next, **a detailed analysis** is carried out to assess the energy performance of your company. This may include reviewing production systems, industrial processes, equipment, lighting, heating, air conditioning, etc. **The goal is to identify sources of waste and energy inefficiencies**.

Once the data has been collected and analyzed, **specific recommendations are formulated** to improve your company’s energy efficiency. These recommendations may include technical measures such as installing energy-saving devices, optimizing systems, improving maintenance practices, etc.

It is essential to call upon qualified and experienced experts to carry out a regulatory energy audit. Their expertise allows them to collect, analyze, and interpret energy data in depth. They are able to detect inefficiencies and specific improvement opportunities tailored to your industry. Moreover, they can provide you with personalized recommendations adapted to your company, taking into account your objectives, constraints, and budget.

By calling upon qualified experts, you benefit from a thorough and reliable evaluation of your energy consumption, enabling you to make informed decisions and optimize your energy performance.

Energy regulatory bodies may impose fines and financial penalties for non-compliance. These penalties can be substantial and increase gradually in case of recurrence or inaction by the company.
In addition to financial penalties, failure to comply with the energy audit obligation can also lead to financial and reputational risks for your company. Energy sustainability and responsible management have become important issues for companies, stakeholders, and customers who are placing increasing emphasis on these aspects.
Failure to comply with the energy audit obligation can damage your company’s reputation, which may be perceived as not complying with regulatory standards and environmental requirements. This can lead to a loss of customer trust, as well as negative impacts on your brand image.