Effinature, renovation and refurbishment
EVO 8.1: certifying the biodiversity of renovation projects
EVO 8.1 is the Effinature standard dedicated to renovation and refurbishment projects carried out on existing buildings. It sets the requirements that establish a project's ability to preserve and strengthen biodiversity on an already-built site, 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.
Who it is for
Who is EVO 8.1 for?
The standard is aimed at project owners running a heavy renovation, refurbishment or restructuring operation on an existing building: social housing landlords, property companies and investors, developers active in urban recycling, local authorities and commercial-estate managers. Renovating rather than demolishing keeps the existing structure and its materials in use, and working on an occupied or already-sealed site carries its own ecological challenges. EVO 8.1 makes it possible to substantiate the biodiversity performance of a refurbishment, where a mere self-declaration does not carry the same weight with lenders, tenants and public authorities.
A specific approach
A standard tailored to existing buildings
Renovating is not managed like building from scratch. On an existing operation the footprint is fixed, the soils are often already sealed, in-place vegetation may shelter established wildlife, and the room for manoeuvre is constrained by the building and its immediate surroundings. EVO 8.1 was designed for these real conditions: it rewards preserving what already exists before creating anything new, encourages greening of the available surfaces (façade bases, roofs, courtyard cores), and recognises the measures that reintroduce nature where it had disappeared. The standard reasons in terms of a net improvement in the site's ecological state between the before and after of the works.
Scope of the assessment
What the standard assesses
The assessment focuses on the ecological environments and functions that can be mobilised on a constrained operation: soil de-sealing and the return of living soils, stormwater management and infiltration, planting and diversity of vegetation layers, refuges for ordinary wildlife (nest boxes, roosts, insect hotels, passages), ecological continuity re-established in a dense urban setting, urban heat-island mitigation and the comfort of outdoor spaces. Each theme is judged on concrete evidence, diagnostics, plans and field surveys, not on intentions alone. The initial ecological diagnosis of the site plays a central role here, as it sets the baseline against which gains are measured.
The structure of the standard
17 themes, 97 criteria
17
themes
97
criteria
EVO 8.1 is made up of 17 themes grouping 97 criteria, assessed in three phases: baseline diagnosis, improvement process and delivery. This structure reflects the diversity of situations encountered on existing buildings and 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.
The benefits
Why certify a renovation?
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, the Net Zero Land Take objective, and the expectations of investors and local authorities. In this context, refurbishing the existing building stock becomes a strategic choice, and Effinature certification, delivered by a third party, turns a narrative into verifiable proof. It enhances the operation's value with occupants, secures environmental claims and sets the project apart in its market. Certification is issued by IRICE, the certification body, while Effinature covers the whole process, from a free pre-diagnostic through to a signed certification.
The journey
How to obtain EVO 8.1 certification
You submit an application to IRICE, the certification body. Once the application is deemed admissible, IRICE assesses your operation against the standard, drawing on the diagnosis of the initial state and on verification of the works carried out, 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.
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 →Go further
Download the EVO 8.1 standard for free, or submit your certification request.
Ready to showcase the biodiversity of your renovation?
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