Effinature Certification
Real Estate Biodiversity
State-recognised, accredited under ISO/IEC 17065, Effinature certification recognises real estate projects that integrate biodiversity as a competitive asset. Three standards for three contexts: new construction, renovation, urban development.
Cofrac accreditation No. 5-0655, Product, process and service certification, scope available at www.cofrac.fr
No-obligation initial call · Response within 48 hours
Rigorous accreditation
IRICE is an accredited body under ISO/IEC 17065 for product, process and service certification. This accreditation guarantees independence, impartiality and compliance with international standards. Our auditors undergo continuous training to maintain the required rigour.
Accreditation number: Cofrac accreditation No. 5-0655, Product, process and service certification, scope available at www.cofrac.fr
Normative references: ISO/IEC 17065:2012 · EU Directive 2024/825 · ISO 17298:2025 · Cofrac IRICE record
Effinature compared with other biodiversity approaches
This table clarifies the structural differences between Effinature and competing real estate approaches.
| Criterion | Effinature (IRICE) | Non-accredited biodiversity label | Internal / CSR label |
|---|---|---|---|
| State recognition | Yes | No | No |
| Reference standard | ISO/IEC 17065 | Proprietary | None |
| Assessor / adviser separation | Yes (mandatory) | Partial | No |
| Legal enforceability | Yes | No | No |
| CSRD / SFDR compliance | Yes | Partial | No |
| Directive 2024/825 | Compliant | At risk | Non-compliant |
| Third-party field audit | Yes | Yes | No |
| State oversight | Yes | No | No |
Sources: ISO/IEC 17065:2012, EU Directive 2024/825, Cofrac.
Three standards tailored to your projects
Each Effinature standard covers the specific context of your project. All evolve continuously: V25.05 versions have been in force since 1 June 2025.
New Construction
NCO 25.05
For new residential projects. Integrate biodiversity from the design stage to create long-lasting and attractive buildings.
- ✓ Residential projects
- ✓ Design + handover assessment
- ✓ From EUR 7,500 excl. VAT
Evolution
EVO 25.05
For renovations and transformations. Demonstrate your commitment to biodiversity in existing building projects.
- ✓ Residential renovations
- ✓ Design + handover assessment
- ✓ From EUR 7,500 excl. VAT
Horizon
HOR 25.05
For urban developments and planning schemes. Structure your biodiversity strategies at project scale.
- ✓ Urban developments and planning
- ✓ Design + handover assessment
- ✓ From EUR 10,000 excl. VAT
+ HVE: High Ecological Value
HVE is an add-on module that can be combined with any of the three standards (NCO, EVO or HOR) to recognise projects that have reached exceptional ecological thresholds.
Benefit: Enhanced market differentiation, recognition of biodiversity excellence and appeal to ESG/SFDR/CSRD investors.
Learn more about HVE →The 6 Effinature action families
Effinature structures biodiversity around 6 action families. Each represents a key area for integrating nature into real estate.
Living Soils
Preservation and restoration of soils to foster underground life and the ecological stability of the project.
Plant Heritage
Selection, planting and management of flora to create natural habitats and reduce climate impacts.
Impact Reduction
Minimisation of disturbances (light, noise and chemical pollution) to protect ecosystems.
Local Wildlife
Creation of habitats and ecological corridors to support populations of birds, insects and small fauna.
User Wellbeing
Creation of accessible and welcoming green spaces to improve residents' quality of life.
Team Competencies
Training and mobilisation of project teams to ensure the quality of biodiversity implementation.
A 2-stage process
Effinature covers the entire project lifecycle, from design through to handover.
Design Phase
Initial Audit (Tender Stage)
Review of the tender documentation. Verification of biodiversity commitments from the design drawings.
Final Assessment (Design)
Validation of technical criteria and compliance with the applicable standard.
Handover Phase
On-site Inspection
Site visit to verify compliance of the implemented biodiversity actions.
Review and certification decision
The complete file undergoes an independent review. The certification decision is made by the IRICE president in accordance with procedure 02. Certificate issuance is not automatic: it is conditional on compliance with the standard requirements.
Effinature Pricing
Transparent pricing. Certification costs depend on the nature and size of your project.
Residential Buildings (NCO & EVO)
Certification cost:
EUR 7,500 excl. VAT
for areas up to 2,500 sqm
Beyond 2,500 sqm:
+ EUR 0.76/sqm
On-site inspection:
EUR 2,250 excl. VAT
Certification cost payment schedule: Registration 25% · Initial assessment 50% · Final assessment 25%.
The on-site inspection (CCR) is invoiced separately.
Urban Developments (HOR)
Certification cost:
EUR 10,000 excl. VAT
for areas up to 1 hectare
Beyond 1 hectare:
+ EUR 1,080/hectare
On-site inspection:
EUR 2,250 excl. VAT
Certification cost payment schedule: Registration 25% · Initial assessment 50% · Final assessment 25%.
The on-site inspection (CCR) is invoiced separately.
Need a tailored quote?
Contact us with your project details (location, area, standard type) for a bespoke quote.
Request a quoteOur trusted partners
Since our founding, the leading players in French real estate have trusted Effinature to enhance their biodiversity projects.
Kaufman & Broad
Eiffage
Altarea Cogedim
Immobilière 3F
Groupama Immobilier
200+ ongoing projects · Nationwide portfolio · All sectors
Complete your certification strategy
Effinature is your biodiversity certification. IRICE offers additional tools for a comprehensive ESG approach.
BPS
Assessment tool · Outside accreditation scope
BPS is a diagnostic and measurement tool for biodiversity impacts at design stage. It serves as a strategic and informational decision-support tool.
Assess with BPS →BREEAM
Global ESG certification
BREEAM New Construction covers energy efficiency, water management, health and wellbeing. An IRICE certification, independent from Effinature.
Certify with BREEAM →Efficarbone
Measurement tool · Outside accreditation scope
Efficarbone measures construction-phase carbon footprint. A decision-support tool to reduce the climate impact of your projects.
Measure carbon footprint →Frequently asked questions
Effinature is IRICE's accredited biodiversity certification for real estate. It covers residential and urban development projects through three standards: NCO (New Construction), EVO (Evolution) and HOR (Horizon). It validates 6 action families: living soils, plant heritage, impact reduction, local wildlife, user wellbeing and team competencies.
Effinature covers: new residential projects (NCO 25.05), residential renovations (EVO 25.05) and urban developments (HOR 25.05). All real estate projects incorporating a biodiversity approach are eligible.
For residential buildings (NCO & EVO): from EUR 7,500 excl. VAT (area up to 2,500 sqm), + EUR 0.76/sqm beyond. On-site inspection: EUR 2,250 excl. VAT.
For urban developments (HOR): from EUR 10,000 excl. VAT (area up to 1 hectare), + EUR 1,080/hectare beyond. On-site inspection: EUR 2,250 excl. VAT.
The process follows 4 steps: 1. Initial Audit (Tender Stage) at design phase. 2. Final Assessment (Design). 3. On-site Inspection (Handover). 4. File review and certification decision by the IRICE president. Certificate issuance is not automatic: it is conditional on full compliance with the standard requirements.
Yes, in several ways:
HVE (High Ecological Value): Add-on module to the three standards (NCO, EVO, HOR) to recognise ecological excellence.
BREEAM New Construction: Complementary IRICE certification covering energy efficiency and wellbeing. Independent and cumulative.
BPS & Efficarbone: Measurement tools (not certifications) for an integrated ESG approach.
Start your certification today
Our team of experts will guide you through every step. Contact us to discuss your project and obtain a tailored quote.
Explore other certifications
BREEAM New Construction
Global ESG certification for residential and development real estate.
Explore →Understanding IRICE
Our mission, our independence, our accreditation and our ESG commitment.
Understand our mission →Our Standards
View and download the 213 pages of Effinature technical standards.
View →No-obligation initial call
The typology of certification schemes (ISO/IEC 17067)
Not all approaches sit at the same level of the standard. A declaration without surveillance and an accredited certification with continuous control do not belong to the same type of scheme, nor to the same level of confidence.
Self-declaration
First-party declaration (ISO/IEC 17050). Not even third-party certification.
Declarative label
Initial declaration without surveillance (type 1a level). Nothing guarantees ongoing conformity.
Accredited certification with continuous surveillance
Initial assessment, on-site control at delivery, formal decision and follow-up. A higher-level scheme in the sense of ISO/IEC 17067.
Effinature operates on this demanding model. ISO/IEC 17067 →
An index measures. An accredited certification proves.
Measuring biodiversity is essential. But a score, a diagnostic or a simulation only becomes enforceable evidence once an accredited third party assesses it and decides.
Tools, indices, ecological diagnostics, simulations. Necessary inputs, not certification.
Independent decision under ISO/IEC 17065 (IRICE). The keystone that gives measurement its legal value.
Traceable, contractualisable, recognised by the State.
An open certification, not a closed system
Effinature can accept data produced by recognised measurement methods, according to public admissibility criteria, without depending on a single proprietary method. Working with the whole measurement ecosystem is itself a mark of independence: a body that relies on data produced by third parties, rather than doing everything itself, embodies the separation of functions.
Traceable data
Sources and production conditions documented and auditable.
Documented method
A transparent, reproducible methodology, not a black box.
Normative alignment
Consistency with the applicable standards and reference frameworks.
Public admissibility criteria, not a named list of partner tools.