Effinature, development
HOR 8.1: certifying the biodiversity of development projects
HOR 8.1, 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 performance at the urban and territorial scale, 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.
At the neighbourhood scale
Who is HOR 8.1 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, which carries more weight 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 8.1 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 8.1 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 the assessor appointed by IRICE, the 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.
Advice and assessment kept separate
The Biodiversity Partner advises the project owner; the assessment and the certification decision both rest with IRICE, the certification body. 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, Effinature certification, delivered by a third party, 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 covers the whole process, 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 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 pathway
How to obtain HOR 8.1 certification
You submit an application to IRICE, the certification body. 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.
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.
Go further
Download the HOR 8.1 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 · Eligibility criteria apply