G-ON contributes to the launch of the Circolab Exploitation Label concerning the circular economy in real estate operations

Designed with and for operations professionals, this unprecedented framework represents a structuring step forward for integrating the circular economy into the building use phase. This is a key challenge for accelerating the decarbonization of the real estate sector.

Structuring good circular practices in the usage phase

In a context where environmental policies are refocusing on the existing fleet, exploitation is becoming a strategic lever.

Even today, buildings still account for 43% of energy consumption and 23% of greenhouse gas emissions in France (MTES, 2023). However, few frameworks allow for the application of circular economy principles to maintenance, upkeep, or technical management practices.

For Thierry LAQUITAINE, President of Circolab: "In a rapidly changing market, where the demand for sustainability is becoming widespread, it has become urgent to structure circular approaches in operations. The Circolab Exploitation Label meets this strategic need. It promotes operations professions and offers a common framework for integrating reuse, repairability, and environmental performance into daily operations."

An operational label, designed by professionals in the field...

The result of two years of co-construction within a working group bringing together technical operators, multi-technical service providers, manufacturers, project owners, project management assistance (AMO) and environmental experts, the label is based on four structural pillars:

• Organization: governance of the process, contractualization, documentation.
• Inventory: knowledge of the building and its equipment, identification of reuse sources.
• Forecast: definition of circular objectives (reparability, durability, sobriety).
• Operation: annual monitoring, carbon assessment, review of actions taken, traceability.

Accessible to all types of stakeholders (owners, operators, multi-technical service providers, users), this label applies to tertiary, industrial and residential buildings.

For Ronan TROTTIER, Associate Director of G-ON and member of Circolab: "Farming is still too often the poor relation of circular approaches. By actively contributing to the creation of this label, we wanted to bring our field expertise to help structure and implement a framework that is clear, realistic, and applicable to all stakeholders."

...which offers a complementary response to existing certifications

The Circolab Exploitation label focuses on the circularity of products, equipment and materials (PEM), in the upkeep and maintenance phase, in a more in-depth manner than HQE Exploitation, BREEAM In-Use or ISO 50001. Thus, this new label encourages reuse, repairability, diversion of use, the choice of low-carbon solutions and the involvement of operators in the building's environmental strategy.

Pilot experiments in 2025: call for participation

A pilot deployment phase has already started, with full opening planned for 2026.

Interested operations can apply today to join the first wave of projects, provided they:

• manage a building in operation (at least tertiary),
• have a committed operator,
• allow an amendment to the maintenance contract,
• designate a circular economy representative.

Circolab will offer personalized support, with the support of G-ON and other members of the working group, to test the label in situ and contribute to its continuous improvement.