Management of the process of certification of sustainable buildings in the HQE system

 

Do you need objective proof that your investment meets the requirements of sustainable housing?

 

HQE certification in DEKRA

 

DEKRA experts, in co-operation with the Cerway operator (France), manage the certification process in the HQE system. The scope of services provided includes management of the application, the contracting, organisation and conduct of audits and also the preparation of reports.

 

DEKRA also trains and accredits specialists participating in projects certified in the HQE system - HQE clerks (reporters) and auditors.

 

The HQE certificate, obtained in co-operation with DEKRA, confirms that the facility is safe, comfortable and is to the benefit of its residents, as well as being energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. 

What is HQE certification?

 

The HQE system (Haute Qualité Environnementale) is an international standard for environmental quality management in construction.

HQE is the most popular sustainability certificate for housing, worldwide.

In addition to residential buildings, commercial buildings, offices and service facilities can also be certified by the HQE system. The certification covers both new and modernised buildings, as well as those currently in use.

 

The HQE scheme affords the possibility of freely choosing the scope of certification; this may cover the whole project, a single building or only a part of it. It consists of two parts: environmental management and assessment of a building's environmental impact.

Part I (environmental management) concerns project management and takes into account therole and commitment of each participant.

Part II (assessment of the building's environmental impact) is an evaluation of the project within fourteen goals grouped into four areas:

• Energy and savings (1. Energy, 2. Water, 3. Simplified maintenance)
• Health and safety (1. Spatial quality, 2. Water quality, 3. Air quality)
• Environment (1. Location, 2. Materials, 3. Construction site, 4. Waste)
• Comfort in use (1. Thermal and humidity properties, 2. Acoustic properties, 3. Visual properties, 4. Olfactory properties).

 The main advantages of HQE certification:

 

• Orientation of the scheme towards the human being, his/her health and comfort accounting for 50% of certification purposes
• proper orientation of apartments
• optimisation of the amount of daylight and views
• use of anti-allergenic materials
• improved parameters of thermal and acoustic insulation in apartments
• emphasis on space quality, air quality and comfort of the olfactory system
• application of solutions ensuring the safety of residents
• landscaping which provides a pleasant living environment
• Focussing on environmental efficiency
• Reduced energy demand, the use of energy-saving solutions
• construction and material solutions to ensure the sustainability of a building
• lower maintenance costs for users (electricity, water, heating)
• Quality and transparency
• an independent, accredited auditor operating in accordance with the highest European standards confirms the quality and environmental performance of the building

Why DEKRA?

 

DEKRA is the only certification body authorised to grant the HQE certificate in Poland.

 

In Poland, five residential buildings already have HQE certificates, including one rated as "excellent". 

 

How else can DEKRA help you?

 

• BREEAM/LEED Certification

• Procedures for conducting tenders