NCO 25.05
New Construction
The NCO (New Construction) standard certifies biodiversity integration in new residential projects. Version 25.05 has been in force since 1 June 2025.
Scope of NCO 25.05
The NCO 25.05 standard is designed for new residential projects — apartment buildings, grouped individual housing, serviced residences — that integrate a biodiversity approach from the design stage. It replaces the BAT20-001 (Construction) standard from the 2020 edition, which became obsolete on 1 January 2026.
The assessment focuses on the project's capacity to preserve, restore or create conditions favourable to biodiversity on the plot and its immediate surroundings. NCO covers the entire cycle: design, construction, handover.
NCO 25.05 at a glance
- Target New residential projects (apartment buildings, grouped housing, serviced residences)
- Assessment Design phase (tender documents + final) + on-site inspection at handover
- Standard 213 pages — 6 action families, quantitative and qualitative criteria
- Pricing From EUR 7,500 excl. VAT (up to 2,500 sqm) + EUR 0.76/sqm beyond
- Extension Compatible with the HVE (High Ecological Value) add-on
The 6 assessed action families
Each NCO project is assessed against 6 action families that structure the entire Effinature standard. These families cover the ecological, social, and operational dimensions of biodiversity in real estate.
Living Soils
Preservation of soil structure and life: ground-level land, permeability, micro-organisms. In new construction, earthwork management and protection of fertile horizons are decisive factors.
Plant Heritage
Species selection, vegetation layers, planted corridors. NCO assesses the coherence between the landscape design and the local biogeographical context.
Impact Reduction
Light, noise, and chemical pollution. New construction sites generate measurable disturbances: NCO quantifies reduction and compensation measures.
Local Fauna
Habitats, nesting boxes, wildlife passages, ecological continuity. New construction offers the opportunity to integrate these features from the architectural design stage.
Occupant Well-being
Access to green spaces, landscape quality, views of nature. NCO measures the project contribution to the quality of life of future residents.
Team Competencies
Training of stakeholders, appointment of a biodiversity officer, site monitoring. NCO verifies that the competencies exist to ensure proper implementation.
NCO certification process
NCO certification follows 4 steps covering the full project cycle, from design to handover. Each step produces a documented and traceable deliverable.
1. Initial audit (tender documents)
Analysis of the tender documentation. IRICE verifies that biodiversity commitments are formalised in the contract documents: technical specifications, landscape brief, site plan.
2. Final assessment (design)
Full assessment of the project against the 6 action families. The assessment report identifies conformities, gaps, and areas for improvement.
3. On-site inspection (handover)
Site visit at handover by an IRICE assessor. Verification that the biodiversity actions committed during design have been effectively implemented.
4. Review and certification decision
The complete file undergoes an independent review. The certification decision is made by the president of IRICE in accordance with procedure 02. Certificate issuance is not automatic: it is conditional upon compliance with the standard requirements.
Specificities of new construction
New construction offers maximum latitude for integrating biodiversity from the design stage. Unlike renovation (EVO 25.05) where existing building constraints limit certain interventions, NCO allows action on all levers.
Earthworks and soil management: NCO assesses the strategy for preserving fertile soils from the start of construction. Stripped topsoil must be stored and reused on site — a challenge absent from renovation projects.
Positioning and orientation: the building placement on the plot directly influences ecological corridors, ground-level areas, and continuity with surrounding green and blue networks. NCO integrates this analysis from the initial audit.
Architectural integration: green roofs, biodiversity-supporting facades, integrated nesting boxes, wildlife passages — these features are assessed and recognised by the NCO standard when designed as integral parts of the architectural project.
NCO pricing
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
Payment schedule: Registration 25% · Initial assessment 50% · Final assessment 25%. The on-site inspection (CCR) is invoiced separately.
Frequently asked questions — NCO
NCO 25.05 replaced BAT20-001 (Construction) on 1 January 2026. The 2025 edition strengthens requirements on living soils, refines plant heritage criteria, and adds quantitative indicators for local fauna. Projects registered before 1 January 2026 under BAT20-001 retain their original standard.
Yes. HVE (High Ecological Value) is an add-on to the main standards. Once the project is NCO-certified, the project owner can request the HVE extension to recognise projects that have reached higher ecological thresholds. Learn more about HVE →
Engaging a Biodiversity Partner is not mandatory but strongly recommended. These consultants, trained by Qualitel Formation, are familiar with the Effinature standard and support the project owner in preparing the application file. Biodiversity Partners directory →
Yes. The BREEAM New Construction certification assessed by IRICE is independent and can be combined with Effinature NCO. The two certifications cover complementary scopes: biodiversity (Effinature) and overall ESG performance (BREEAM).
Certify your new construction
Submit your NCO application online. No-commitment initial discussion, response within 48 hours.
Complement your approach
EVO — Renovation
Biodiversity certification for residential renovations.
En savoir plus →HOR — Urban Development
Biodiversity certification for urban development and planning zones.
En savoir plus →HVE — High Ecological Value
Add-on for projects reaching higher ecological thresholds.
En savoir plus →BREEAM New Construction
Independent and combinable global ESG certification.
En savoir plus →No-commitment initial discussion