HQE Sustainable Building in Renovation


HQE Sustainable Building in Renovation (HQE-SB Renovation) mainly addresses non-residential real estate stakeholders who are seeking to differentiate and add more value to their renovated buildings, improve their extra-financial rating and access the best financing conditions
Launched in June 2022, this certification is the fourth version (v4) of HQE-BD Renovation. It benefits from practical feedback from the first three versions of the scheme.
It is particularly appropriate for global renovations (covering a large portion of foundation works and/or various elements of construction finishing, etc.).
Its modular scheme can be adapted to the type of building to be certified: offices, retail outlet, warehouse, hotel, childcare centre, school, campus, museum or library, etc.
The scheme for health establishments will be finalised and launched by end-2022.
Developed with Alliance HQE-GBC and numerous stakeholders, the HQE-BD Construction scheme goes beyond the regulations.
A comprehensive approach based on 22 complementary themes
HQE Sustainable Building in Renovation
Indoor air quality
Indoor air pollutants (VOC, CO, CO2, NO2, benzen, fine particles, formaldehyde, mildew) – Ventilation (air flows, filtration, air inlets and outlets, etc.)
Water quality
Physicochemical and bacteriological composition – Water quality and temperature control (prevention of legionella, etc.) – Design of indoor distribution systems, etc.
Electromagnetic exposure
Identification of internal and external sources – Electromagnetic field levels – Equipment and architectural layout to reduce exposure, etc.
Hygrothermal comfort
Time out of the comfort range – Solar factors, air speed, humidity control, user control over thermal comfort, etc.
Acoustic comfort
Location of external and internal noise sources – Insulation from outdoors, between units, impact noise, equipment noise, reverberation time, etc.
Visual comfort
Amount of light (natural light autonomy, lighting level, etc.) – Absence of discomfort (glare, etc.) – Access to views, user control over light ambience, etc.
Transport
Access and flow management – Nearby public transport – Close access to stations and airports, bicycle paths – Facilities encouraging the use of bicycles and electrical vehicles, etc.

Services (En)
Restaurants, retail outlets, medical activities, sports activities, parks, local services nearby building – Services provided inside building, etc.
Energy
Performance in energy consumption, all uses (kWhEP/sq.m.year) – Reduction in energy consumption – Special provisions (cold storage, data centres, etc.)
Water management
Performance in drinking water consumption (m³/q.m.year) – Reduction in drinking water consumption – Rainwater management – Waste-water management – recovered water valorisation, etc.

Waste
Waste management (dimensions, location and equipment of waste facilities, etc.) – Quantity and valorisation of work site waste, etc.
Carbon
CO2 emissions from energy consumed during use of the building (kgCO2eq/sq.m.year) and from mobility (kgCO2eq/sq.m.year)

Adaptation to climate change
Management of natural risks due to climate change – Hygrothermal comfort in a deteriorated climate, etc. – Heat island effect, etc.

Adaptability
Adaptability of building for same use – Suitability for change of use – Digital adaptability and interoperability, etc.
Work site
Organisation of work site – Work site waste management – Nuisance limitation – Control of water and energy consumption – Work site assessment, etc.

Governance
Identifying, prioritizing and taking into account stakeholders’ needs and expectations
HQE Sustainable Building in Renovation
Accessibility
Inclusive design, flat circulations, doors suitable for all users – Facilitated horizontal circulation – User-friendly, intuitive orientation – Safety, absence of obstacles, etc.
Lifecycle Analysis
Calculation of environmental impact (greenhouse gas emissions, etc.) in accordance with RE2020 or European standard – Analysis and processing of other environmental indicators, etc.

Biodiversity
Initial assessment of site and project – Ecological potential of site (biotope factor per area, local revegetation, etc.) – Connections on and off site, compensatory measures, etc.
Cost control
Running expenses – Water and waste-related expenses – Operating expenses – Ease of maintenance – Replacement cost control – Overall costs approach, etc.

Local economy
Support for local community – Local employment and integration – Skills development of local stakeholders – Preference for local supplies – Re-employment and reuse – Local energy, etc.
Commissioning
Objectives and mission of commissioning agent – Definition of functional and seasonal tests, works supervision and reception, adjustments optimisation, etc.
Correlation with key public policy, business and investor indicators
EU Green Taxonomy objectives
- Contribution to all Taxonomy objectives
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Significant contribution to SDGs 3, 6, 7, 11, 12 and 13
- Some contribution to SDGs 1, 4, 8, 9, 15 and 17
- Indirect contribution to SDGs 2, 5, 10 and 14

EU LEVEL(s) indicators
Significant contribution to macro-objectives 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
No. 1 Greenhouse gas emissions along the building’s lifecycle
No. 2 Resource-efficient and circular material lifecycles
No. 3 Efficient use of water resources
No. 4 Healthy and comfortable spaces
No. 5 Adaptation and resilience to climate change
Some contribution to objective No. 6 lifecycle cost and value


How does HQE Sustainable Building in Renovation differ from HQE Building in Renovation?
Certivea offers two HQE certifications for renovated buildings: HQE Sustainable Building in Renovation and HQE Building in Renovation (HQE-B Renovation).
HQE-BD Renovation contains the 15 themes of HQE-B Renovation plus seven additional ones. It is therefore more demanding than HQE-B Renovation.
Both certifications share the same requirements and level of requirements for the 15 themes common to both, which are central to sustainable development issues.
The seven additional themes of HQE-SB Renovation are central to the major transitions and public policies of the 2020s: circular economy, biodiversity, inclusive design, local economy and lifecycle analysis, etc.
They account for 39% of the total number of HQE-SB Renovation requirements and 44% of the total number of points that can be obtained.
HQE Sustainable Building under Construction: When? How? What cost? What score?, etc.
Recommended phase for certification entry
- Scheduling or Design
Contact with a referent recognised by Certivea
- Recommended, particularly if you have not sought HQE certification before or if your last HQE certification was several years ago
- 274 professionals are HQE-BD referents (number at 01-01-2022)
Contact with Certivea during the certification process
- Contact with your Certivea representative by e-mail or phone
- Online contact via Certivea’s ISIA-2 digital platform
Scoring scale
4 levels:
- Good,
- Very Good,
- Excellent,
- Outstanding
Information on certification
- Scheduling, design or implementation phases: information may be circulated on the certification in progress
- Once the building is constructed, information may be circulated, with no time limit, on the certification issued by Certivea
Amount paid to Certivea for the certification process
- Depends on project and total surface area
- €9200 excl. tax on average
- Price includes the cost of the auditor, an independent third party commissioned and paid by Certivea.