Certivea gives the Center Pompidou the NF HQE Exploitation certification, a first for a museum

On Tuesday, May 17, CERTIVEA presented the Center Pompidou with the “NF HQE Exploitation – Sustainable Use” certification for the practices implemented in the operation of the building, aimed at minimizing its environmental impact. The institution becomes the first public museum establishment to obtain this certification. An approach that allows the museum both to implement an environmental action plan and to attest to the relevance of the efforts made on a daily basis.

NF HQE Exploitation certification – Sustainable Use Axis, a roadmap to help implement the Center Pompidou’s ambitious environmental policy

The Center Pompidou becomes the first public cultural institution to obtain NF HQE Exploitation - Sustainable Use certification, which certifies environmental performance in operation, makes it possible to control daily water energy consumption, to better manage waste and to strengthen the comfort and health of employees.

This distinction is part of an ambitious action plan initiated by the Center two years ago, based on its carbon footprint, with the aim of better controlling its overall ecological footprint.

The first annual audit carried out last fall awarded the Center Pompidou the “Very good” level, making the institution the first museum establishment from the Ministry of Culture to obtain such certification. The scope audited includes museum spaces open to the public.

The actions implemented by the Center Pompidou as part of the NF HQE Exploitation – Sustainable Use certification

Environment Theme

Strong awareness among occupants of the use of bicycles in urban centres.
Encouraged reuse.
Very successful waste management process.

Energy Theme

Optimization of operational management and maintenance actions. Action possible thanks to the strong involvement of the occupants supported internally by the Controllers, the Prevention Division and external stakeholders.
Reduction of the site's energy consumption by cutting off domestic hot water or lighting cuts in unoccupied areas.

Health theme

Validation by the Prevention Division of all maintenance products before their authorization on site. The pandemic has been subject to a strengthening of maintenance procedures.
Increased monitoring of indoor air quality.

Theme Comfort

Treatment of hygrometry with maintenance of 50% humidity at 22°C.
Objectives: to preserve the works of art and improve the comfort of the occupants in all the spaces of the museum.

Claire Tikhonoff, Director of Development and Operations of CERTIVEA: “CERTIVEA is proud to have been involved for a year and a half alongside the Center Pompidou to help it implement an ambitious environmental policy. The NF HQE Exploitation certification makes it possible to question the daily uses of the building and to instil in the teams a real culture of sustainable development. We salute today the mobilization of the women and men who bring to life one of the highest places of culture in our country. »

Julie Narbey, Director General of the Center Pompidou: “Climate change and damage to biodiversity are painfully visible today and force us to transform both our ways of doing and our ways of seeing. As such, the Center Pompidou must be at the heart of reflection and be creative in inventing new possibilities. In this sense, the institution's environmental strategy, in the continuity of numerous actions already carried out, is twofold: the first part concerns the improvement of internal practices in the Center Pompidou's professions, whether in production, buildings, purchasing policies, etc. The second part aims to raise public awareness and support this necessary transition through programming. The application of the NF HQE Exploitation referential on the Sustainable Use Axis makes it possible to create new unifying values for all staff and to raise public awareness. »