CertiVéA, the structure certification organisation, has marked an additional step in sustainable development by including the operation of existing buildings in the NF Tertiary Buildings–HQE® Approach certification.  This certification has been impatiently awaited by players in the sector and is applicable to all types of tertiary buildings in operation, regardless of whether or not they have been NF Tertiary Buildings - HQE® Approach certified during construction.  This certification now covers all buildings other than health buildings.

The specific nature of this new certification is related to an environmental performance obtained by combined environmental qualities of the building, operation (equipment maintenance, maintenance of spaces, monitoring of consumption and comfort parameters, etc.), and good practices (good practices of occupants, the operator, service providers, etc.).

Thus, it provides an assurance that environmental concerns are taken into account during the operating process of the structure, which requires:

• Guaranteed minimum conditions for the Intrinsic Environmental Quality of the structure.
• Continuous improvement to the Intrinsic Environmental Quality of the structure during the life of the building.
• Implementation of appropriate monitoring and service/maintenance procedures.
• Promotion of good usage and operation practices.

About ten buildings are expected to be certified before the end of the year and several major players in the activity (operators, owners, real estate companies, etc.) have already shown their desire to generalise the approach to cover all assets concerned.