Effinature, new construction
NCO 8.1: certifying the biodiversity of new buildings
NCO 8.1 is the Effinature standard dedicated to new construction projects. It sets the requirements that establish a project's ecological performance and contribution to biodiversity, from design through to delivery, and leads to a certification issued by IRICE, a third-party certification body.
Certification by IRICE
the certification body
ISO/IEC 17065
third-party certification
Assessment and decision
by IRICE, as a third party
Public registry
of certified operations
Cofrac accreditation No. 5-0655 · Certification of products, processes and services · ISO/IEC 17065 · Scope available on www.cofrac.fr. This accreditation covers the EFFINATURE and EFFINATURE HVE certification programmes.
The standard at a glance
A demanding, measurable framework
assessment phases
Design then delivery, across the project's whole lifecycle.
themes
A structured framework covering every environment on the project.
criteria
Performance comparable from one operation to another.
Intended audience
Who is NCO 8.1 for?
The standard is aimed at project owners running a new construction operation who want to substantiate the ecological performance of their project: property developers, social housing landlords, investors, local authorities and land developers. It covers collective housing as well as offices, public facilities and mixed-use operations. Certification provides third-party, enforceable proof of biodiversity performance, where a mere self-declaration does not carry the same weight with lenders, buyers and public authorities.
How it unfolds
Two assessment phases
NCO 8.1 structures the assessment in two stages, to support the project throughout its lifecycle.
Design phase
Assessment of the commitments made from the study stage: ecological site diagnosis, siting choices, green-and-blue network, water management, living soils, urban heat-island mitigation, and the potential to host fauna and flora.
Delivery phase
On-site verification, at handover, that the design commitments have actually been implemented. This phase determines the issuance of the certificate.
Scope of assessment
What the standard assesses
The assessment focuses on the ecological environments and functions actually present or created on the operation: soil quality and soil life, stormwater management and infiltration, planting and vegetation layers, ecological continuity with the site's surroundings, habitats favourable to ordinary wildlife, reduced soil sealing and the climate comfort of outdoor spaces. Each theme is judged on concrete evidence (studies, plans, field surveys), not on intentions alone.
A consistent, independent reading
The 13 themes group 95 criteria. This granularity establishes a measurable performance level, comparable from one operation to another. The field assessment is carried out by the assessor appointed by IRICE, the certification body, which ensures a consistent and independent reading of the standard. Beforehand, you may be supported by a Biodiversity Partner, a professional qualified by IRICE who advises you and prepares your file, without ever taking part in the assessment.
Why it matters
Why certify a new building?
Regulatory and extra-financial pressure on biodiversity is accelerating: the CSRD directive and ESRS E4 standard, Article 35 of the French Climate and Resilience Act, and the expectations of investors and local authorities. In this context, Effinature certification, delivered by a third party, turns a narrative into verifiable proof. It enhances the operation's value with buyers, secures environmental claims and sets the project apart in its market. Effinature covers the whole process, from a free pre-diagnostic through to a signed certification.
Go further
Explore the other standards
The right choice depends on the type of project and its stage of progress.
NCO 8.1
New construction
Housing, offices, mixed-use. 2 phases: design and construction.
Learn more →EVO 8.1
Renovation
Operations on existing buildings.
Learn more →HOR 8.1
Development
Mixed-use zones (ZAC), subdivisions, public spaces, roads.
Learn more →HVE 8.1
High ecological value
Performance does not stop at handover.Performance maintained through recurring conformity checks.
Learn more →The journey
How to obtain NCO 8.1 certification
The path is straightforward: you submit an application to IRICE, the certification body. Once the application is deemed admissible, IRICE assesses your operation against the standard, then makes the certification decision and issues the certificate, which is listed in the public registry of certified operations.
Registration
Account and SIRENE data, free, in a few minutes.
Application
Operation, Biodiversity Partner, target standard.
Review and contract
IRICE reviews admissibility, the contract is signed online.
Certification
An assessor is appointed, IRICE decides, the certificate is listed in the public registry.
2 to 4 months between the application and the decision, as a guide.
Ready to certify the biodiversity of your new building?
Create your account and submit your certification request, or explore the standards suited to your operations first.
Training on this standard.
The training course "Becoming a Biodiversity Partner" covers the NCO (new construction) and EVO (renovation) standards, in both design and delivery phases.
14 hours · Eligibility criteria apply