Frequently
Asked Questions
Have questions about Effinature certification, IRICE programmes, or biodiversity in real estate? Explore our detailed answers.
IRICE is an independent certification body specialising in the assessment and certification of biodiversity in the real estate sector. We hold Cofrac Accreditation No. 5-0655, Product, Process and Service Certification, scope available at www.cofrac.fr, which guarantees the independence, competence and reliability of our assessments.
We operate nationally and internationally within our scope of accreditation. Our mission: to assess and certify real estate projects integrating biodiversity and ecological performance considerations.
Effinature is an accredited certification programme for ecological performance in real estate, issued by IRICE (Cofrac Accreditation No. 5-0655, Product, Process and Service Certification, scope available at www.cofrac.fr). It covers 6 families of ecological criteria and is based on 3 standards (2025 edition):
- NCO 25.05 for new builds
- EVO 25.05 for renovation
- HOR 25.05 for landscaping
Each project is assessed through a rigorous and independent process to ensure compliance with biodiversity and ecological management requirements. Effinature stands out through its accreditation, guaranteeing impartiality and quality.
A certification is based on an independent audit by an accredited body such as IRICE. It includes a rigorous assessment, a formal decision, administrative traceability and regular monitoring. Certification is governed by strict, verifiable rules.
A label is generally a voluntary scheme with no mandatory accreditation. It may be awarded by an organisation without an independent third-party process, resulting in a lower level of assurance.
Only the Effinature certification from IRICE benefits from accreditation (Cofrac Accreditation No. 5-0655, Product, Process and Service Certification, scope available at www.cofrac.fr), guaranteeing its independence, transparency and recognition.
Effinature certification follows 4 key stages:
- 1. Contract signature — Formalisation of the request and setup of the certification file with document collection.
- 2. Initial assessment — Detailed analysis of plans, technical documents and proposed ecological measures.
- 3. Final assessment and on-site inspection — Verification of actual compliance with criteria and site visit to validate the implementation of ecological measures.
- 4. Review and certification decision — The complete file undergoes an independent review. The certification decision is made by the IRICE president (procedure 02). Certificate issuance is not automatic: it is conditional upon full compliance with the standard requirements.
Each stage is documented and validated by IRICE. The total duration depends on the project complexity and the speed of document provision.
Effinature certification is priced from a minimum of EUR 7,500 (excl. VAT) for projects up to 2,500 m².
Beyond 2,500 m², the cost varies depending on:
- The area and scale of the project
- The complexity of the assessment mission
- The standards applied (NCO, EVO, HOR)
- The options selected (HVE, additional inspections)
A personalised quote will be provided after reviewing your file. Contact us for an estimate.
The BPS (Biodiversity Performance Score) is an ecological diagnostic tool designed to assess the biodiversity performance of your project.
Important: BPS is not a certification. It is an assessment that uses 70+ criteria across 6 thematic domains.
These criteria allow you to measure and improve the ecological impact of your project on a scale from A to G.
BPS complements Effinature for projects not seeking accredited certification, or for a quick assessment before committing to a certified process.
Yes, IRICE is an authorised certification body for BREEAM. We offer BREEAM certification for New Construction projects.
BREEAM is an international environmental performance certification covering multiple domains: energy, water, waste management, ecology, health and wellbeing, pollution, transport, etc.
Note: BREEAM does not fall within the IRICE accreditation scope, unlike Effinature. It is an international certification for which IRICE is an authorised body.
Efficarbone is a programme for measuring and certifying carbon performance in construction.
Although it targets a different domain (carbon footprint rather than biodiversity), Efficarbone complements the IRICE offering on building climate issues. It is a programme complementary to Effinature.
Note: Efficarbone does not fall within the IRICE accreditation scope. It is a voluntary carbon performance measurement programme.
High Ecological Value (HVE) is an optional add-on to Effinature that extends the certification over a 3-year operational period after project handover.
HVE guarantees:
- Effective maintenance of ecological measures after handover
- Ongoing assessment of biodiversity performance under real operating conditions
- Regular monitoring and annual on-site inspection
HVE significantly strengthens the value of the certification by ensuring that ecological commitments are not abandoned after construction but sustained over time.
Biodiversity Partners are qualified professionals (architects, engineering firms, ecologists, etc.) who support project owners in Effinature and BPS processes. They act as independent experts.
To become a Biodiversity Partner, you must complete a specialised training programme delivered by Qualitel Formation. The programme offers 4 levels of qualification:
- Level 1: Introduction to biodiversity in real estate
- Level 2: BPS and Effinature expert
- Level 3: Certified project coordination
- Level 4: Trainer and technical reference
Yes, IRICE operates throughout the national territory and internationally within its scope of accreditation.
Our scope covers:
- Metropolitan France and overseas territories
- Europe and internationally by agreement
- Projects of all sizes and types
We have the logistics and organisational capacity to manage complex projects in any location. Cofrac Accreditation No. 5-0655, Product, Process and Service Certification, scope available at www.cofrac.fr
You can submit a request directly through our online forms:
Complete the form appropriate to your programme, specifying the main characteristics of your project (area, location, building type, etc.).
Our team will contact you promptly to refine the terms, answer your questions and provide a personalised quote.
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Our team is here to answer all your specific questions about Effinature certification, our programmes and biodiversity issues in real estate.