How and when should one apply for the HQE certification?

Applications will start to be officially accepted at the end of the first quarter of 2012. Test operations regarding the technical scheme are currently being conducted. If you would like more information about the building certification, the technical scheme or the test projects, please contact us at hqe-international@certivea.fr

What is the scope of the building certification?

The HQE certification covers all types of public and private service buildings (commercial, offices, logistics, hotel and tourism, education, etc.) whose construction or renovation was completed within 12 months of the application. A certification concerning building operation exists, but it is not yet subject to a specific international technical scheme, expected sometime during 2012.

What does the assessment of the environmental performance of building consist in?

To be HQE-certified, the applicant must prepare a self-assessment of its project's environmental performance, based on the technical scheme requirements, and set up an organisational framework meeting the management requirements contained in the technical scheme for management requirements of the project. This self-assessment is verified by an independent auditor during the programming, design and implementation phases of the project.

How much does HQE certification cost?

The cost of certification varies depending on the size of the project. This cost includes the remuneration of the independent auditor paid by Certivéa, all auditing services and the rights to using the certification trademark. The average cost is roughly €15,000, excluding fees for the auditor.

What is the role of the auditor in the HQE certification process?

As part of the full third-party auditing procedure set up by Certivéa, the auditor is selected and paid for by Certivéa. The certification applicant defines their objectives, means and solutions, and carries out a self-assessment in conformity to the requirements of the certification's technical schemes. The auditor participates in three auditing meetings (programming, design, execution) to verify and validate the self-assessment. The auditor therefore has a very educational role and acts to reassure or alert the applicant of the latter's ability to achieve their objectives.

At what point in time can the building certification for a particular project be communicated at large?

The certificate can be obtained starting with the programming phase and it can be announced as soon as Certivéa makes its certification decision. This allows an applicant to include certification in his communication activities very early in the project's execution.

The exchanges for the HQE certification are carried out in which language?

The official language is French. However, English is also accepted for the respective exchanges and documents.

How should the HQE certification be represented?

The deployment of the HQE certification outside France is managed through a network of prescribing partners. This network of local and regional partners, who have signed cooperation contracts, consists of consultants specialised in coordinating sustainable real estate projects, local certification bodies that can stipulate obligations without performing consulting services, and technical and scientific research organisations which have been recognised in their country or geographical area for their knowledge in sustainable construction. If these stipulating bodies have the required competencies, they will be able to propose to Certivéa the equivalence principles for the countries concerned. They will also be able to have auditors among their team members (subject to an evaluation determining that no conflict of interest exists).

What are the main differences in relation to other evaluation methods?

  1. Within the HQE certification framework, it is the building that is certified, not the consultant

  2. The auditor is appointed and paid directly by Certivéa, which remains the certification body. This means a full third-party audit

  3. An audit may take place starting at the programming phase

  4. The certification technical schemes are performance-oriented and, therefore, are not prescriptive

  5. Audits are conducted at the applicant's or the project's location