Programmes offered
Effinature Certification
Certification of the ecological performance of real estate and development projects.
Standards in force: NCO 25.05 (New Construction), EVO 25.05 (Evolution / renovation), HOR 25.05 (Horizon / development)
Add-on: HVE 25.05 (High Ecological Value — post-delivery extension)
Audience: Developers, social housing providers, local authorities, land developers
BREEAM New Construction Certification
International environmental certification for new buildings, as an accredited BRE assessor.
Scheme: BREEAM New Construction only
Audience: Offices, retail, residential, industrial and mixed-use buildings
BPS — Biodiversity Performance Score
Quantitative biodiversity performance diagnostic for a site — the biodiversity equivalent of an energy performance certificate.
Diagnostic types: Baseline (existing site), Design (project), or both
Audience: Any project owner, investor or property portfolio manager
Efficarbone Simulation
Carbon footprint simulation for the construction process (site works).
Audience: Contractors, developers, civil engineering companies
Assessment and certification process
Certification application
The applicant submits an application via the online form. IRICE acknowledges receipt and examines the admissibility of the application.
Application review and contracting
IRICE prepares a detailed quotation. The certification contract is signed between IRICE and the applicant, setting out the conditions, timeframes and mutual obligations.
Assessment
The assessment is carried out by a qualified Biodiversity Partner (for Effinature and BPS) or by the IRICE team, depending on the programme. The assessment covers compliance with the requirements of the applicable standard.
Review and certification decision
The assessment report is examined by an authorised certification manager, independent of the assessor. The certification decision (granting, refusal, conditions) is made on this basis.
Decision and possible certificate issuance
The certification decision is made by the president of IRICE in accordance with procedure 02. Certificate issuance is not automatic: it is conditional upon full compliance with the requirements of the standard. If the decision is favourable, the certificate states the programme, the standard, the level achieved, the date of issue and the validity period. The project is entered in the public register.
Suspension, withdrawal and refusal of certification
Suspension (§7.11.4)
Certification may be suspended when the certified product temporarily no longer complies with certification requirements, or when the client fails to meet their contractual obligations (late payment, failure to respond to the body's requests). Suspension is temporary and must be lifted within a defined period, failing which it leads to withdrawal.
Withdrawal (§7.11)
Certification is withdrawn when non-compliance persists despite suspension, when the client misuses the certificate or mark, or when it is found that the certified product no longer meets the fundamental requirements of the standard. Withdrawal is permanent and is published in the register.
Refusal
Certification is refused when the assessment concludes that the product does not meet the requirements of the applicable standard. The applicant is informed in writing of the grounds for refusal and has a right of appeal in accordance with the complaints and appeals procedure.
Scope reduction (§7.11.6)
IRICE may reduce the scope of certification if certain requirements are no longer met for part of the originally certified scope. The reduction is communicated to the client and updated in the public register.
Certification extension
A client holding an active certification may request a scope extension, particularly to add the HVE (High Ecological Value) post-delivery add-on, or to extend the certification to new delivery phases within a phased project.
The extension request is subject to a supplementary assessment and a certification decision following the same process as the initial certification.
Certification register
The list of certified, suspended and withdrawn projects is available in the public register, in accordance with the publicity requirements of ISO/IEC 17065.
View the register