Certivéa, a founding member of France GBC*:
a competence network for sustainable construction

The CSTB and its subsidiaries CERTIVEA and CEQUAMI are among the founding members of France GBC, alongside other institutional players in the sustainable construction and development sector, such as the EFFINERGIE Association, the HQE Association, the QUALITEL Association and its subsidiaries CERQUAL and CEQUAMI, the RESOBAT Association, the AFNOR Group and its subsidiary AFNOR Certification and the Institut Français pour la Performance Energétique du Bâtiment (IFPEB).
A charter, signed in June 2010, launched the effective start of CBG France's activities, representing the French link in the World Green Building Council's international network (World GBC). One year after its inception, it had largely achieved its set objectives: 115 French players of the construction sector committed themselves to the association, bringing together their skills and expertise in the service of sustainable planning, construction and development.
Building on this record and on the wealth of know-how of its members, France GBC was awarded the "Established" status by the World GBC. This status will now enable the Association to continue and strengthen its actions within France and to diffuse the voice of France internationally.

France GBC's objective

France GBC works to mobilise the entire construction sector to achieve a generalised application of environmental quality to buildings in France.  The association also aims to promote a coordinated effort as the flag bearer of the French position internationally regarding this subject.
Building on the experience and know-how of French players in the field of sustainable construction and development, this new organisation promoting the voice of France abroad - especially within the World GBC - must enable industry players to achieve a visibility reflecting France's involvement in these issues.
To this end, France GBC aims to coordinate and have a French influence at the international level, including, among others, within the international network SB Alliance initiative, and the initiative for Sustainable Buildings and Construction of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP-SBCI), CEN and ISO.

*GBC : Green Building Council

SBA, work groups are making progress!

SB Alliance* has set up three working groups:
• "Pilot test on common metrics," which aims to test the applicability of six indicators developed by SB Alliance in 2009.
• "Linking SBA indicators to IFCs and BIM," whose ultimate goal is to simplify and facilitate access to information on indicators, in addition to the information already provided by the digital model.
• "Green Impact," which deals with green-related value and works on indicators for economic performance.

The SB Alliance network was born at the initiative of the CSTB (whose subsidiary Certivéa issues the NF Démarche HQE® certification to service buildings) and the BRE (Building Research Establishment, a British organisation issuing the BREEAM certification). It has set itself the mission to converge the evaluation methods for the environmental quality of buildings at an international level. This should be done by applying the same basic principles and common indicators. This partnership is part of an initiative already under way with other organisations (FCAV in Brazil, Qualitel in France, etc.).

  • *SB Alliance : Sustainable Building Alliance

Certivéa, satisfaction garanteed!

Certivéa carried out an awareness and satisfaction survey in November 2010 with its clients, employees and auditors, done by the MICA polling institute. Nearly 200 of its clients, 100% of its employees and auditors were interviewed.
What were the results?
By obtaining an overall satisfaction score of 7.4/10, Certivéa nears excellence in services offered and in the quality of service performed.
Among the key points:
• over 80% of clients believe that Certivéa is listening to them and its employees, and that Certivéa offers benefits and provides quality services and it is well positioned in the market;
• more than 9 out of 10 clients consider Certivéa as a rigorous, trusted body, a reference, where stakeholders are significantly involved;
• Certivéa's certification system is considered by almost all its clients and auditors as encouraging responsibility, as well as being reliable and educational. Having an accredited body and the third-party auditing procedures following French regulations are considered as very important.

Certivéa on the web: a visual identity devised for an international communication strategy

Continuing the renewal of its communication strategy, Certivéa has applied its new visual identity to the international version of its website. Warmer colours, images of individuals that stand out visually, and more pronounced fonts... This style guide, devised by the Winning communications agency, is more dynamic: “Every group of certifications has its own set of colours, images and icons. They were elaborated using warm colours and a contemporary feeling to better represent sustainable development, the environment and energy management. Pronounced fonts better underscore the subjects with which Certivéa is involved, striking images of individuals better highlight the professional world concerned, and sleek silhouettes suggest a world in action.”
This new graphic identity has been applied to the website, which features a new design, with even simpler and more ergonomic tabs, but which is always highly informative.

Certivéa and France's Postal services: a framework agreement for building certification

A framework agreement signed between Certivéa and Poste Immo, the real estate operator of the La Poste Group, underscores this operator's commitment to a general application of the HQE certification, for construction and operations, for all its service operations. After having its first two buildings with the HQE certification underway, Poste Immo effectively wanted to extend its commitment to responsible development, by including all of its service operations in the certification procedure.
Under this agreement, all existing and future operations of Poste Immo will be designed and operated following HQE certification's stipulations. Initially, the agreement provides for a generalised application of the HQE certification for construction operations having an area of ​​more than 1,000 sqm.
After this first step, Certivéa will give a ruling concerning the effectiveness of the Operations General Management System (SMG) implemented by Poste Immo. This will pave the way for a generalised certification applied to all service operations (for buildings with an area larger than 2,000 sqm).

Gecina and HQE operations:
a comprehensive initiative validated by Certivéa

Gecina has set up a General Management System (MGA) for its buildings with the HQE operations certification underway. This initiative, recognized by Certivéa, demonstrates Gecina's commitment to sustainable development through the integration of the HQE approach in the management and operations of its assets. Consequently, Gecina has positioned itself as the leading real estate company concerning the issue of improving the environmental performance of existing buildings.
Gecina owns, manages and develops real estate assets valued at 11.7 billion euros, with 85% of the assets located in Ile de France. The company has set itself a goal to certify at least 50% of its office space by 2016. Gecina's business areas comprise an economic cluster as the leading group owning office real estate in France, and a demographic cluster of residential properties, student residences and healthcare facilities.
Gecina has placed sustainable innovation at the heart of its strategy to create value, anticipate customer expectations and for making its investments while respecting the environment, thanks to the involvement and expertise of its staff members.

Gecina is a Property Investment Company (SIIC) listed on Euronext Paris and included in the FTSE4Good and Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) Stoxx.