Effinature, development
HOR 25.05: certifying the biodiversity of development projects
HOR 25.05, known as Horizon, is the Effinature standard dedicated to development projects: mixed-use zones, subdivisions, public spaces, roads and neighbourhoods. It assesses a project's ecological and landscape quality at the urban and territorial scale, from design through to delivery, and leads to a certification issued by an independent accredited body.
Cofrac accreditation
No. 5-0655
ISO/IEC 17065
product certification
Field assessment
carried out by IRICE
Public registry
of certified operations
At the neighbourhood scale
Who is HOR 25.05 for?
The standard is aimed at the players who design and steer the development of the territory: local authorities, public and private land developers, mixed-economy companies, public land agencies, subdivision developers and owners of public spaces. It covers mixed-use development zones, residential subdivisions, neighbourhood renewal, roads, parks and living public spaces. Where a development project durably commits the soil, water and landscape across several hectares, certification provides third-party, enforceable proof of biodiversity performance, far more robust than a self-declaration in the eyes of residents, lenders and public authorities.
The scope of assessment
What the standard assesses
The assessment focuses on the landscape and ecological issues actually present or created at the scale of the operation: the mesh of the green-and-blue network, soil de-sealing and soil life, on-site stormwater management and infiltration, planting of public spaces and diversity of vegetation layers, ecological continuity allowing species to move through the site, urban heat-island mitigation and the climate comfort of streets and squares. Each theme is judged on concrete evidence (studies, layout plans, field surveys), not on stated intentions alone.
Support throughout the lifecycle
Two assessment phases
HOR 25.05 structures the assessment in two stages, to support the project throughout its lifecycle:
- 1 Design phase. Assessment of the commitments made from the urban study stage: ecological site diagnosis, structuring of the green-and-blue network, soil de-sealing, integrated stormwater management, urban heat-island mitigation, and ecological continuity with the wider landscape.
- 2 Delivery phase. On-site verification, at the handover of the works, that the design commitments have actually been implemented. This phase determines the issuance of the certificate.
Comparable performance
A consistent reading of the territory
HOR 25.05 organises its criteria and requirements around the ecological functions of the developed territory, to establish a measurable performance level, comparable from one operation to another. The field assessment is carried out by IRICE, the accredited certification body, which ensures an independent and consistent reading of the standard across all certified projects. 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.
The key point: advice and assessment kept separate
The Biodiversity Partner advises the project owner; the assessment and the certification decision both rest with IRICE, an accredited body (Cofrac No. 5-0655). Whoever advises never assesses: this strict separation is what gives the certificate its enforceable value in the eyes of residents, lenders and public authorities.
The regulatory stakes
Why certify a development project?
Regulatory and extra-financial pressure on biodiversity is accelerating: the Net Zero Land Take objective, the CSRD directive and ESRS E4 standard, Article 35 of the French Climate and Resilience Act, and the growing expectations of residents and elected officials. In this context, an accredited biodiversity certification turns a narrative into verifiable proof. It enhances the neighbourhood's value with buyers and residents, secures the project's environmental claims and sets the development apart in calls for projects and concessions. Effinature is part of a wider toolset run by the NORMAXIS group, from a free pre-diagnostic through to a signed certification, and draws on the expertise of the certification body IRICE.
The right standard
Discover the other standards
The choice depends on the type of project and its stage of progress.
NCO 25.05
New construction
New housing, offices or mixed-use: ecological performance assessed from design to delivery.
Learn more →EVO 25.05
Renovation
Renovation or refurbishment: biodiversity gains delivered on the existing building.
Learn more →HOR 25.05
Development
Development and outdoor spaces at neighbourhood or plot scale.
Learn more →HVE 25.05
In use
Biodiversity maintained over time once the project is delivered and occupied (recurring checks).
Learn more →The pathway
How to obtain HOR 25.05 certification
You submit an application to IRICE, the certification body (Cofrac accreditation No. 5-0655). Once the application is deemed admissible, IRICE assesses your development project against the standard, then makes the certification decision and issues the certificate, which is listed in the public registry of certified operations.
Create your account
Online sign-up, free, in a few minutes.
Submit your request
Describe the operation and the target standard. IRICE reviews admissibility.
Field assessment
IRICE assesses your operation on site against the standard.
Decision and certificate
IRICE decides independently and issues the certificate, listed in the public registry.
Go further
Download the HOR 25.05 standard for free, or submit your certification request.
Ready to certify the biodiversity of your development project?
Create your account and submit your certification request, or explore the standards suited to your operations first.
Training on this standard.
The training course « Biodiversity Partner Development » covers the Horizon standard, territory-scale assessment and its articulation with planning documents.
7 hours · Biodiversity Partner qualification required