7. Building Standards

We outline below the main building and quality standards for products and workmanship you are likely to come across in France.

7.1. Norms Française (NF)

This is the most important and long-standing quality system for products, equipment and services in France. It signifies conformity with French and most other international quality standards.

The body responsible for certification is AFNOR – Association Française de Normalisation.

There are certain NF norms that are obligatory, particularly insofar as they make affect security, health, fraud or the environment.

The NF label can be found on many building products and items of domestic equipment and is indispensable when specifying or purchasing building products or equipment.

There is no specific NF system of certification for building renovation, although those companies engaged in the construction of new dwellings are able to obtain NF Maison Individuelle or NF Logement certification.

Those building companies who hold NF PO3-700 are able to offer some guarantee about their service levels and working methods, although few smaller building firms have such certification.

The AFNOR building construction pages can be found can be found by clicking on the following link: AFNOR

However, if you want to read an NF standard (in French)you will need to order and pay for it!

7.2. NF DTU (Documents Techniques Unifies)

DTU relate to method of working practices and techniques in the building trade rather than to the quality of the product itself.

So, building professionals are expected to comply with them in the execution of their work.

You should insist that your building professionals perform the work in accordance with DTU, which you should confirm in writing.

The DTU are prepared by the CSTB (Centre scientifique et technique de bâtiment), acting under the auspices of AFNOR who control the NF label.

In the event of disputes the courts will often refer to DTU as the reference point for determining liability, and insurance companies will also refer to them in assessing claims.

DTU are available for purchase through the AFNOR website.

7.3. CE

This is a norm you have possibly seen in your own country.

It signifies that a product complies with directives of the European community and is used for those products sold in the European market.

It does not signify any particular level of quality but merely that the product complies with European regulations.

There is widespread abuse of this marque, because it is not sufficiently supervised.

7.4. ISO

The certification ISO 9001 is an international quality standard which confirms conformity to certain international standards of management and quality control.

The ISO standard is only used by large construction companies, although adopted by some of the large manufacturers of building products.

7.5. Quality Certificates

There are a number of more general certificates which offer some form of assurance about the level of competence of the firm or individual engaged in the building work.

Most notable of these is Qualibat for building firms, or Qualielec, Qualigaz for firms engaged in the installation of electrical or gas services.

Many small building firms (though few artisans) are part of the system of Qualibat certification.

There are four levels of achievement and, in ascending order, they are:

• CO.REF – Compétence Référence
• EN.AQ – Engagement Assurance Qualité
• DEV.AQ – Développement Assurance Qualité
• AQ.AUD - Assurance qualité Audit

There is also individual certification for architects and engineers available which offer the acronyms OPQMOB and OPQIBE! These professionals should also, of course, hold their own professional qualifications.

There are also professional bodies that regulate the certification of a large range of other building products notably insulating materials, fire safety, and door locks.

7.6. Promotelec

This is an organisation created in 1962 to promote the quality of electrical heating installations in buildings.

Certification by 'Promotelec' guarantees a certain level of quality and security in the electrical products and installation work.

7.7. Haute Qualité Environmental (HQE)

An association of building professionals and public bodies, who seeks to promote the development of good environmental practice in the construction of new dwellings and renovation of existing dwellings.

Next: Building Guarantees