IRICE — Certification body — Cofrac accreditation No. 5-0655 Product, process and service certification, scope available at www.cofrac.fr
Certify the biodiversity and ecological performance of your projects
Effinature assesses and certifies the biodiversity, ecological quality and high ecological value of your new construction, renovation and development projects. An independent, rigorous and recognised certification.
Free registration — Submit your request in 5 minutes
The process in 4 steps
Create your account
Register online with your company details
Submit your request
Describe your project, contacts and target framework
Sign the contract
After eligibility review, sign your certification contract online
Track your project
An assessor is appointed and you follow progress from your dashboard
Biodiversity & construction
Effinature integrates biodiversity into every phase of your property projects: design, construction, handover. An independent, rigorous and enforceable certification.
High Ecological Value
The HVE framework ensures the long-term maintenance of ecological performance for your certified projects, through recurring conformity checks.
Independent biodiversity certification
Looking for a biodiversity certification for your buildings? Effinature offers a rigorous assessment, delivered by an independent body with qualified assessors.
4 biodiversity certification frameworks
Choose the framework that matches your project type and ecological maturity.
NCO 25.05
New Construction
Biodiversity certification for new construction projects. 2 assessment phases (Design and Construction), 51 criteria, 119 requirements.
EVO 25.05
Existing Buildings & Renovation
Biodiversity certification for renovation projects on existing buildings. 62 criteria, 129 requirements tailored to existing stock.
HOR 25.05
Urban Development
Biodiversity certification for development projects: mixed-use zones, subdivisions, public spaces, roads. Landscape and ecological considerations.
HVE
High Ecological Value
Extension for previously certified projects. Long-term maintenance of ecological performance through recurring conformity checks (CCR).
Construction phase
Model the carbon footprint of your construction site (Article 35)
Article 35 of the French Climate and Resilience Act comes into force on 21 August 2026 and introduces an environmental criterion for construction contracts. Efficarbone models and benchmarks construction-site carbon using the EN 15978 / ISO 14064 methodology.
Discover Efficarbone →Group reporting
Portfolio biodiversity assessment (CSRD ESRS E4)
For ESG teams needing to aggregate biodiversity performance across multiple assets: BPS produces a multi-asset score feeding ESRS E4, SFDR PAI and the EU Green Taxonomy.
Discover BPS →Frequently asked questions
Understanding Effinature in 6 questions
Answers to the most common questions from project owners, developers and ecologists.
What is Effinature?
Effinature is a biodiversity and ecological performance certification for construction, renovation and development projects. It is issued by IRICE, an independent third-party body, under four frameworks: NCO (new construction), EVO (renovation of existing buildings), HOR (urban development) and HVE (high ecological value — ongoing monitoring).
Is Effinature a biodiversity label?
No. Effinature is a certification — a regulated act issued by an independent third-party body against an enforceable framework. Unlike a private distinctive mark, a certification is backed by the accreditation scope of the issuing body. IRICE is a Cofrac-accredited body — Cofrac accreditation No. 5-0655 Product, process and service certification, scope available at www.cofrac.fr.
What types of projects can be certified?
Effinature covers the full property lifecycle. NCO 25.05 certifies new construction projects (residential, office, mixed-use). EVO 25.05 certifies renovation projects on existing buildings. HOR 25.05 certifies development projects: mixed-use zones, subdivisions, public spaces, roads. HVE certifies the long-term maintenance of ecological performance for previously certified projects, through recurring conformity checks (CCR).
How long does the certification process take?
The duration depends on the framework and the maturity of the project. The request can be submitted in a few minutes via the platform. IRICE reviews eligibility, then proposes a certification contract to sign online. A qualified assessor is appointed and follows the project throughout design and construction. NCO projects involve two distinct assessment phases: Design and Construction.
What is a Biodiversity Partner and how can I become one?
A Biodiversity Partner is an ecologist, environmental consultancy or project management assistant qualified by IRICE to support project owners through the Effinature certification process. The network is publicly available online. Each Biodiversity Partner has completed the Effinature framework training and holds an individual qualification number. Training is delivered by Qualitel Formation (Qualiopi-certified), in partnership with IRICE, and is eligible for OPCO funding — the French employer-funded training scheme. The full catalogue (4 levels, BP-N1 to BP-N4) is available at irice-certification.com/formations.
How is the Effinature certification recognised?
Effinature is operated by IRICE, a Cofrac-accredited body — Cofrac accreditation No. 5-0655 Product, process and service certification, scope available at www.cofrac.fr. This accreditation guarantees that the assessment processes comply with the international standard ISO/IEC 17065 for product, process and service certification bodies. Referential transparency is ensured through the publication of certified projects in a publicly accessible directory.
Effinature Network
Become a Biodiversity Partner
Are you an ecologist, environmental consultancy or project management assistant? Join the network of Biodiversity Partners qualified by IRICE and support project owners through their Effinature certification.
4 training levels — from awareness (N1) to HVE qualification (N4), delivered by Qualitel Formation (Qualiopi-certified)
OPCO funding — all training courses are eligible for funding through OPCO, the French employer-funded training scheme
Public listing — your qualification is visible in the Biodiversity Partners register, available online
Individual qualification — a personal BP number, referenced in every certification file
The qualification pathway
Level 1 — Awareness
1 day (7h) — Understanding biodiversity and property challenges
Level 2 — Biodiversity Partner
2 days (14h) — BP qualification, authorisation to conduct assessments
Level 3 — HOR Qualification
1 day (7h) — Urban development extension (coming soon)
Level 4 — HVE Qualification
1 day (7h) — High Ecological Value extension (coming soon)
Certification body
IRICE Certification
IRICE is a certification body specialising in biodiversity and ecological performance of construction and development projects. Our network of qualified assessors and Biodiversity Partners ensures an independent, rigorous and impartial assessment.
Cofrac accreditation No. 5-0655 Product, process and service certification, scope available at www.cofrac.fr
4
Frameworks
119+
Requirements assessed
ISO
17065
100%
Online
Ready to certify the biodiversity of your project?
Create your free account and submit your certification request in just a few minutes. No commitment until the contract is signed.
Have a question?
Our team is available to answer your questions about the biodiversity certification process and the ecological performance of your projects. Response within 48 working hours.
How do you certify the biodiversity of your project?
A straightforward, transparent process from request to certificate.
Registration
Create your account by entering your company details. Information is pre-filled from the SIRENE business register.
Request
Complete the request form: project details, contacts, Biodiversity Partner, target framework.
Review & Contract
IRICE reviews the eligibility of your application, then sends you a contract to sign online.
Certification
A qualified assessor is appointed. Follow the assessments and obtain your Effinature certificate.
Free — No commitment until the contract is signed