How can joiners and carpenters get the RGE label ?

The RGE label (Reconnu garant de l’environnement, a French initiative that recognises tradespeople for being environmentally friendly) is open to joiners and carpenters. Discover the advantages of this label and how to go about getting it.

A closer look at the RGE label for joiners and carpenters

A mark of quality in the construction industry, RGE – which stands for Reconnu Garant de l’Environnement (Recognised Environmentally Friendly) – is given to tradespeople involved in the energy transition. Although obtaining this label can seem complicated, having it is a real advantage, particularly for carpenters and joiners.

THE RGE LABEL – A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE FOR JOINERS AND CARPENTERS

Granted by the authorities to professionals committed to ensuring quality, the RGE label is proof of your expertise and your adherence to the latest standards, primarily with regard to improvement works and energy renovations. As a carpenter or joiner, much of the work you do may be eligible for this, including:

• Insulating sloping roofs
• Insulating loft ceilings
• Fitting heat-insulating shutters
• Insulating external doors
• Glazing insulation (windows and French windows)

Installing double glazing, replacing casements and roof renovation are all examples of work likely to be covered by the RGE label. There are a number of advantages to carpenters or joiners obtaining this label:

• Demonstrate your expertise by proving your regulatory compliance
• Boost the visibility of your company by being listed on various different platforms, including faire.fr, a public website offering advice to private individuals regarding renovation work
• Give your clients access to state aid for their eligible renovation projects, such as MaPrimeRénov’ (an energy renovation support scheme), CITE (an energy transition tax credit) or éco-PTZ (zero percent interest loans for green projects).

KEY FIGURE

+ 2 billions euros

This is the additional amount allocated to MaPrimeRénov’ for 2021 and 2022 as part of France’s Recovery Plan. This new budget will enable the scheme – through which private individuals are able to apply for financial support for energy renovation work carried out by RGE-accredited tradespeople – to open up to all types of households.

AN RGE LABEL FOR EVERY TYPE OF JOB

One of the features of the RGE scheme is that there are different types of label depending on the type of work being carried out. With each one issued by a specific accredited body, you must select the appropriate scheme for your activity. For joiners and carpenters there are 4 main types that your work may be eligible for.

• Qualibat: fairly broad, Qualibat covers companies carrying out work linked to energy efficiency and renewable energy across a wide range of trades and specialities, including joinery and carpentry.
• Les Pros de la performance énergétique: also issued by Qualibat, this is the brand of the FFB (the French Building Federation). This may be of relevance to you if you carry out work linked to energy performance (insulation, replacing windows, etc.), whether as part of a new build or a renovation project.
• Éco artisan: this is given to companies working to improve the energy efficiency of homes. This will be of particular interest to you if, in your job as a joiner or a carpenter, you offer thermal evaluations or advice.
• NF Maison rénovée: this label covers major renovation work, primarily in the context of larger projects aimed at improving energy performance. It is chiefly targeted at the very biggest organisations, who are capable of taking on projects of this scale.

HOW TO OBTAIN THE RGE LABEL AS A JOINER OR A CARPENTER

Once you have chosen the appropriate label for your line of work, you must undergo a qualifying process in order to obtain the RGE label. This will involve doing the following:

• Going on a course: you must first contact the certifying body in order to go on an accredited training course, the nature of which will depend on your line of work. At the end of this course at least one technical referee – either you or one of your employees – must validate the skills obtained.
• Apply for RGE qualification: you then must file an application, following the directives outlined by the organisation issuing the RGE quality label you are applying for. Once your application has been validated you will be granted a qualification certificate, enabling you to be listed on faire.fr.
• Submit to inspections: in order to ensure that the work you carry out complies with RGE standards, an organisation will be sent out to perform an inspection. These inspections will take place either every year or once every two years depending on your sector.