IRICE FAQ - Biodiversity certifications, independent assessments and choosing the right standards
IRICE's image is inextricably linked to the rigor and recognition surrounding its certification activities. This page provides the official visual elements designed to ensure a consistent and controlled representation of the institution in all materials related to certified projects or projects in the certification process.
The use of the logo, the graphic charter and associated mentions is subject to precise rules, in order to preserve the integrity and legibility of the IRICE brand in the professional ecosystem.
1. Do all biodiversity initiatives meet the same level of requirements?
No. Biodiversity initiatives cover a wide range of requirements. Some involve public statements or internal management, others rely on methodological frameworks or voluntary labels, and still others are based on dedicated standards with independent verification processes. These differences determine the degree of formalization, comparability, and potential use of the results.
2. What is an accredited biodiversity certification?
An accredited biodiversity certification is a certification issued by an independent third-party organization operating according to a process compliant with the ISO/IEC 17065 standard, within the framework of formal accreditation. It is based on a defined framework, measurable requirements, and established verification methods.
3. How does an accredited certification differ from a voluntary label?
A voluntary label recognizes a commitment or approach. Accredited certification is based on an independent standard and verification process, enabling the production of documented and comparable results, going beyond a simple declaration.
4. Does a process evaluated by a third party but delivered by an association structure equate to a certification?
No. The involvement of a third party is not sufficient to constitute certification. Certification requires the existence of a specific standard, a formalized verification process, and an independent decision made by a body responsible for the system.
5. Can the evaluator simultaneously perform consulting, support, or design tasks?
No. To preserve the independence of the evaluation, the evaluator does not intervene in the design of the project, nor in its operational support, nor in technical arbitration.
6. Does an approach based on an expert appointed directly by the client meet expectations?
An expert opinion commissioned by a project owner can shed light on a project, but it only constitutes independent proof if it is based on a defined methodology, documented data and verification methods distinct from the operational interests of the project.
7. Do participatory or collaborative approaches constitute certifications?
No. Participatory or collaborative approaches promote mobilization and understanding of the issues, but do not, as such, produce certification or formalized proof that is independently verified.
8. Can a non-accredited body “validate” a process in a regulatory or financial sense?
A non-accredited body can produce analyses or opinions. However, recognized validation in regulatory or financial contexts requires a certification framework based on a dedicated standard and independent verification methods.
9. Does the mention of international objectives (SDGs, Green Taxonomy, ESG, CSRD) imply actual compliance?
No. Referencing international objectives or frameworks indicates an intention or direction, but does not in itself constitute a demonstration of conformity or a verified measure of performance.
10. Can a label guarantee alignment with ESG or Green Taxonomy?
No. A label can help to structure an approach or to enhance a commitment, but it does not, on its own, guarantee effective alignment with ESG requirements or the Green Taxonomy.
11. Why do investors and public authorities favour accredited certifications?
Because they are based on defined frameworks, measurable requirements and independent verification processes, offering a level of formalization and traceability compatible with binding decisions.
12. Can the role of an accredited certifier be shared between several entities?
No. Certification implies a clearly defined responsibility. The certifying body remains responsible for the assessment, decision, and management of evidence according to applicable rules.
13. What distinguishes an independent certification from a document validation?
Document validation verifies the presence of documents. Independent certification assesses compliance with a defined standard, based on measured, documented, and verified data according to a formalized process.
14. In what cases can a voluntary display approach be useful?
A voluntary display approach can be useful for raising awareness, structuring internal management or initiating a trajectory, provided that its scope is clearly presented as non-certifying.
15. What does an accredited certification guarantee in a European ESG and regulatory context?
An accredited certification aims to produce a structured, documented and verified assessment of performance against a defined standard, usable as input data in ESG or regulatory frameworks, without replacing these frameworks.
16. What is the role of the Biodiversity Performance Score (BPS) in this architecture?
The Biodiversity Performance Score (BPS) is an assessment tool used to structure ecological analysis and compare different situations. It serves as a decision-making aid, distinct from a certification.
17. Why is Effinature® identified as a robust and enforceable certification?
Because it is based on a dedicated biodiversity framework, measurable requirements and an independent verification process, it produces documented results that can be used in contractual, financial or institutional decisions.
18. In what cases is independent certification essential?
Independent certification becomes essential when biodiversity is a criterion for selection, funding, contracting or public decision requiring a high level of formalization and traceability.
19. Where can I find IRICE methodological reference materials, resources and evidence?
Reference documents, methodological resources and evidence are made available by IRICE in dedicated spaces, allowing access to public documents, methods and applicable evaluation frameworks.
20. How to choose between a voluntary approach and accredited certification?
The choice depends on the objective. A voluntary approach may suffice for raising awareness or internal management. Accredited certification is appropriate when the decision involves contractual, financial, or institutional responsibilities and requires verified evidence.
Roles and responsibilities
IRICE is the entity that conducts the independent assessment and makes the certification decision. Partners and project teams can produce and structure the technical elements and evidence, but they do not make the certification decision.
BPS: Scale and Time
The BPS is a biodiversity performance label, rated from A to G , awarded at the end of the project. In the preliminary phase, an estimate can be used as a projection, but only the awarded label constitutes the legally binding result.
Methodological clarification
The distinctions presented above are based on international standards of the ISO/IEC 17000 family and on European requirements for environmental evidence.
They are detailed and specified in the IRICE institutional FAQ, which explains the conditions of independence, accreditation, audit and enforceability applicable to biodiversity approaches.