Annual Report 2012 - Afnor

annual 

report 

2012 

association 

www.afnor.org

Contents 

Editorial 

Chairman: Claude Satinet 

p. 01 Editorial 

p. 02 AFNOR - providing confidence since 1926 

p. 03 AFNOR - the essentials 

p. 04 STANDARDS as a driving force for 

competitive advantage, innovation and 

simplification policies 

p. 05 Standardisation stakeholders 

p .07 Association governing bodies 

p. 12 / Significant events in 2012 

p. 15 AFNOR Standardisation 

p. 16 / Significant events in 2012 

p. 24 Institutional affairs and 

international cooperation 

p. 25 Member network 

p. 26 Standardisation costs and resources 

p. 27 AFNOR Publishing 

p. 29 Subsidiaries’ activities 

p. 29 / AFNOR Certification 

p. 33 / AFNOR Competencies 

p. 35 / AFNOR International 

p. 37 Life of the association 

p. 42 Executive committee 

p. 44 Income statements 

p. 45 Responsible and sustainable 

Despite the strong changes sweeping across today's economy and 

society, the AFNOR Group once again proved its ability this 

year to stand firm and sense the trends heading its way, 

such as the fall in subsidies for carrying out its general interest mission, 

frozen investments in many companies and a profound shake-up of the 

economic sectors, as well as new European and international fields where French 

interests need to be defended… AFNOR’s ability to anticipate future events enabled 

the Group to post a balanced set of results in 2012 regardless of all these factors, 

and I would like to congratulate all employees again for their involvement and their 

sense of teamwork. 

The AFNOR Group also owes its resilience to its ability to break new 

ground. But in order to innovate, all the parties involved in a project – employees, 

suppliers, customers, and so on… – must share the same language to ensure that 

their work is compatible. This is where standardisation enters the scene - it provides 

stakeholders with a venue and platform for communicating which, by consensus, 

ultimately leads to shared best practices and standard rules. Standardisation and 

innovation are terms that go hand-in-hand - countless examples prove how their 

synergistic effects can help economic players accelerate the emergence of innovative 

products and services, and ensure a positive response from the market. 

This is the frame of mind that drove the AFNOR Group to launch a number of new 

products and services during 2012 tailored to the needs voiced by organisations 

and designed to improve their competitive advantage. AFNOR is the world's first 

standardisation body to offer HTML access to standards, thereby allowing 

for faster consultation and superior flexibility. The AFNOR Group masterminded an 

innovative "quality" pack with small businesses in mind - the "AFAQ 9001 stepby-step 

pack", which includes certification, training and self-assessment. AFNOR 

Standardisation developed a service offering to complement its long-standing 

activities - normative feasibility studies, regional platforms, trials with new standards… 

2012 also saw the creation of AFNOR Energies, a coherent set of services 

aimed at tackling energy efficiency, and AFNOR Purchasing Solutions, 

featuring a one-stop shop of solutions and services for the community of buyers. 

AFNOR Competencies successfully launched a number of diploma-based 

courses in partnership with the Conference of Higher Education Establishments, 

thereby enabling professionals to obtain recognition for their expertise. This list is by no 

means exhaustive and clearly reflects the determination of the AFNOR Group's men 

and women to transform risks into opportunities as part of their concern to meet and 

even pre-empt the needs of France's economic players. This ambition of serving the 

general interest is widely promoted in the various reports submitted to the government 

on France's competitiveness. The reports' authors drive home the importance of 

voluntary standardisation - a method for fostering "social dialogue" spearheaded by 

AFNOR since 1926 - and encourage political authorities and organisations to throw 

their weight behind the initiative. "Winning the standards battle is key to winning the 

economic battle," recently said France's Minister of Foreign Trade, Nicole Bricq, upon 

receiving the Revel report. I could not agree more with her words, especially since 

the AFNOR Group operates in an international playing field. In terms of standards, 

AFNOR continues to lend on-the-ground support to the people representing French 

organisations in international committees, where 90% of the standards produced 

will soon apply in our country. With over 700 participations in the different technical 

committees, France tops the list, which is reassuring for the future of our companies. 

But the value of voluntary standards has not been lost on Germany, which is well 

ahead in this particular area. 

In terms of business performance, AFNOR International registered growth 

in excess of 20% between 2011 and 2012! Such growth shows the 

importance of our "home-grown" expertise! 

2013 is inevitably a hopeful year, because I am intimately convinced that 

the AFNOR Group and the organisations in its ecosystem have all the resources – 

which they have already proven – to move forward, innovate and reinvent themselves. 

I can only reiterate the pride that comes from chairing a Group that champions such 

strong values! 

AFNOR Association Annual Report 2012 

1

AFNOR - providing confidence since 1926 

AFNOR - the essentials 

The AFNOR Association and its subsidiaries form an 

international group, which works to serve the general 

interest and foster economic development. The Group 

designs and deploys solutions based on voluntary standards 

that are the architects of trust and progress. In pursuing 

its mission, AFNOR draws strength from four values: 

team work, responsibility, trust and quality. 

AFNOR is vested with a general-interest mission, as defined 

by the French Standardisation Regulation of 16 June 2009, 

to determine voluntary standardisation requirements 

and mobilise interested parties, promote French 

positions on a European and international level, organise 

a public consultation process for each draft French, 

European or international standard, and ratify the final 

version. This mission includes the publication and 

sale of standards (professional solutions offering 

strategic intelligence and access to normative documents), 

institutional affairs and international cooperation, 

and leadership of members. 

The association features subsidiaries delivering certification, 

training and international networking services, which help 

to further the very purpose of the association directly 

through their activities and indirectly by contributing to the 

association's results. 

What is a voluntary standard? 

A standard is a reference document published 

by AFNOR and produced in an iterative and 

collaborative manner with active support from a 

representative panel of professionals (manufacturers, 

consumers, associations, trade unions, 

local authorities, and so on). A standard contains 

a set of principles and requirements for a given 

activity or its results. Standards are created in 

response to the need of players in a given market or 

sector of activity and following examination by AFNOR. 

Standards are defined by consensus between all 

stakeholders concerned. 

In all but exceptional cases, standards are not 

compulsory. Voluntary standards are sometimes 

mistaken for regulatory standards (otherwise known 

as legal standards). 

Registered not-for-profit organisation 

Standardisation 

Standards-based professional and technical documentation and information services 

Institutional affairs and international cooperation 

Standards and normative documents in 2012 

Collection: 33,141 where 1% became legally mandatory 

2012 publications: 1,942 90% of which are of international origin 

60% of published standards are revisions 

Withdrawn in 2012:...........................1,543 

Public enquiries:................................2,211 

Standardisation committees in 2012 

1,017 (60% headed up by sector-based standardisation bureaus (SSBs) 

and 40% overseen by AFNOR) 

21 new standardisation committees (70% headed up by AFNOR, 

30% overseen by SSBs) 

2,438 new topics 

Professionals involved in the standardisation process 

20,000 experts 

214 experts trained in 2012 

2,082 members 

Norm’Info 

Chief Executive Officer: Olivier Peyrat 

Over 30,000 telephone enquiries a year 

International 

France: 

No. 3 contributor within ISO (International Organization for Standardization, 

with over 163 member countries) 

No. 2 contributor within CEN (European Committee for Standardisation, 

with 33 member countries) 

21 new responsibilities for France within CEN and ISO 

96 international meetings organised in France 

2 AFNOR Association Annual Report 2012 AFNOR Association Annual Report 2012 3

STANDARDS as a driving force for competitive 

advantage, innovation and simplification policies 

Standardisation stakeholders 

Standardisation became the focus of unprecedented attention in 2012 with 

the term "standard" widely used in the media, with a constant confusion 

between regulatory standardisation (treaties, acts, regulations, orders, 

directives, etc.) and voluntary standardisation (ISO, EN, NF and other 

standards). Taking great pride in the stakeholder consensus model that it 

has championed since 1926, AFNOR spearheaded a wide-ranging campaign to raise 

awareness among the media, policy-makers and professionals. The campaign 

has already started changing attitudes, with a number of political 

leaders clarifying the difference in their reports and focusing on the 

virtues of the voluntary standards under AFNOR's responsibility. 

The report entitled "Blueprint for a competitive French industry" submitted to 

the French government in November 2012 by Mr Louis Gallois focused on "the 

positive role that standards play in supporting exports from French 

companies". The authors actually insist on the importance of France playing an 

even more prominent role in European and international standardisation bodies, 

namely CEN, CENELEC, IEC and ISO. 

The fact-finding mission on French production costs chaired by Mr Bernard Accoyer 

led several enquiries in 2012. In its report submitted in March 2013, the mission 

emphasises the importance of the "challenges involved in defining and controlling 

voluntary standards [which] represent some of the most important opportunities 

for superior productivity and efficiency for a country such as France". In particular, 

it stresses that voluntary standards are often instrumental in breaking 

new ground on an industrial scale. 

In September 2012, Mrs Nicole Bricq appointed Mrs Claude Revel to head up a thinktank 

on strategies for developing France's international presence and position in the 

general standards scene. Voluntary standardisation is once again in the spotlight, 

and the first priority is to engage French companies with the international standardisation 

bodies. "Strengthening our presence in the standardisation sector is 

an absolute must. Winning the standards battle is key to winning 

the economic battle," said France's Minister of Foreign Trade upon receiving the 

report on 31 January 2013. 

In a bid to streamline the regulatory standards that govern how local authorities 

operate, CIMAP (Interdepartmental Committee for the Modernisation of Public 

Policy) asked Messrs Alain Lambert and Jean-Claude Boulard to take an in-depth 

look at the tools and methods available for responding to this challenge. In their 

recommendations, the authors argue that an effective approach would be to draw 

inspiration from the way in which the professional world implements a standardsgoverned 

activity without raising any major difficulties. "The reason is simple," 

they explain. "AFNOR standards begin life as a simple recommendation. They 

also advise the people responsible for drafting regulatory standards to consistently 

prioritise non-mandatory standards, except in cases where it can be proven that an 

obligation would actually guarantee better results." CIMAP immediately responded 

with its proposal of "conditioning small and medium-sized enterprises 

and industries to instinctively think of AFNOR by showing them 

how they can save time and improve security by increasing their 

knowledge of existing standards and making them understand the 

importance of taking their products down the standardisation road 

as early as possible.". 

The educational work that AFNOR has long been pioneering 

to illustrate the virtues of voluntary standardisation led to 

a series of strong decisions taken in the highest offices of 

government in favour of promoting the use of this tool for 

social dialogue. Political support is essential for driving home 

the importance of voluntary standardisation and allowing it to 

play a role in the development of our economy. 

AFNOR organises the French standardisation system with sector-based standardisation bureaus 

approved by the Minister of Industry and coordinates their activities. 

Standards are authored by sector-based standardisation bureaus (SSBs) acting on AFNOR's authority 

or directly by AFNOR where the subject area covers a large number of sectors or relates to a sector 

for which there is no approved sector-based standardisation bureau. 

As such, five departments in particular within AFNOR Standardisation 

are responsible for drafting standards in the following sectors: 

Food & drink, health and social welfare 

Construction and water cycle 

Industrial engineering and environment 

Services, management and consumer goods 

Transport, energy and communication 

Governance of the French 

standardisation system is defined by 

Regulation 2009-697 of 16 June 2009. 


Standardisation stakeholders 

AFNOR 

As the central oversight body for standardisation in France, AFNOR determines all 

standardisation needs and empowers interested parties. It promotes French positions 

on a European and international level. It organises public consultation processes in 

French for each draft French, European or international standard, ratifies the final 

version and incorporates the approved standard into the national catalogue. 

Drawing strength from the expertise and experience that it has acquired from 

its insight into the European and international standardisation mechanisms, 

AFNOR also provides bespoke services for assessing the feasibility of 

standardisation projects and their subsequent implementation. AFNOR runs a 

series of topical fora across the country to reflect developments in the standards 

sector and provides assistance with preparing standards. 

Sector-based standardisation bureaus as at 

31 December 2012 

BNA Bureau of Automotive Standardisation 

BNAAH Standardisation Bureau for hyperbaric and underwater activities 

BN Acier Standardisation Bureau for the French Steel Industry 

BNAE Standardisation Bureau for Aerospace and Defence 

BN Ferti Standardisation bureau for the fertiliser industry 

BNBA Standardisation Bureau for wood and furniture 

BNCM Standardisation Bureau for structural steelwork 

BNC Standardisation Bureau for ceramics 

BNEN Standardisation Bureau for nuclear facilities 

BNF Standardisation Bureau for the railway engineering 

BNG Standardisation Bureau for the gas industry 

BNHBJO Standardisation Bureau for timepieces, jewellery, the jewellery trade 

and gold and silversmiths 

BNIB Standardisation Bureau for the concrete industry 

BNIF Standardisation Bureau for the smelting industries 

BNITH Standardisation Bureau for the textiles and clothing industry 

BNLH Standardisation Bureau for hydraulic binders 

BN Pétrole Standardisation Bureau for the oil industry 

BNPP Standardisation Bureau for plastics and plastics technology 

BNTEC Standardisation Bureau for building and construction techniques and equipment 

BNTRA Standardisation Bureau for transport, highways and planning 

CFONB French committee for banking organisation and standardisation 

UNM Standardisation Bureau for the mechanical engineering and rubber industry 

UTE Standardisation Bureau for eletrotechnical field 

Sector-based standardisation bureaus (SSBs) 

Sector-based standardisation bureaus (SSBs) head up the standardisation 

committees for each professional sector concerned. They prepare the draft 

French standards that AFNOR submits for public enquiry, including France's 

contributions and positions in European and international bodies. Some SSBs are 

also empowered by AFNOR to lead technical committees in those very bodies. 

Stakeholder representatives: standardisation experts 

With backgrounds covering every area of the economy and society, 

stakeholder representatives (businesses, trade organisations, local government, 

local authorities, consumer associations, environmental protection associations, 

and so on) form the very backbone of the French standardisation system. 

They provide the skills and expertise that ensure a high-quality standard for each 

subject area. They deliver the technical content required for drafting and updating 

documents. They play a strong role in promoting new subjects and documents 

by voicing the needs of their respective sectors. They constitute the French 

delegations and thereby take part in work at the European and international level. 

Public authorities 

Depending on the circumstances, public authorities are involved in the 

standardisation committees and serve as either a regulatory authority or a technical 

body acting to promote public policies. Public authorities can use voluntary 

standardisation as a means of lobbying market players to offer the best operational 

solutions in response to public demand. 

An Interdepartmental Standards Representative, acting under the authority of the 

Minister for Industry, chairs an interdepartmental standards group (GIN) attended 

by ministerial standards managers. The GIN provides the Minister for Industry 

with guidance on French standards policy. In particular, the group ensures that all 

projects under development are consistent with legislative objectives. 

Association governing bodies 

Board of Directors 

AFNOR, a registered not-for-profit association, is administered 

by a Board of Directors with no more than 30 members, 

who are appointed in such a way that the different interested 

parties are widely and fairly represented: 

Direct or indirect company representatives (including 

SMEs and craft industries) and representatives from various 

sectors of the economy. 

Representatives from consumer associations, 

trade unions, local authorities and, since 2011, 

approved non-governmental organisations. 

Ministry representatives. 

Representatives elected from AFNOR's employees. 

The Interdepartmental Standards 

Representative takes part in Board meetings 

and acts as a government commissioner. 

The Chairman called four Board meetings 

in 2012. 

6 AFNOR Association Annual Report 2012 


7



Members of the AFNOR Board of Directors as at 31/12/2012 

Board committees acting under delegated authority 

Chairman......................................................................................Claude Satinet 

Honorary Chairman..................................................................François Ailleret 

Honorary Chairman.....................................................................Philippe Boulin 

Honorary Chairman........................................................................ Henri Martre 

Vice-Chairman..............................................................Henry Halna du Fretay 

Vice-Chairman................................................................Dominique Hoestlandt 

Treasurer................................................................................Jacques Schramm 

Companies 

A2 Consulting.........................................................................Jacques Schramm 

AIMCC (Association of Construction Materials, Products, 

Components and Equipment Industries).........................................Marc Lebrun* 

Air Liquide.............................................................................Hervé Barthelemy 

ANIA (National Association of Food Industries)..................................Joseph Nicot 

CMA INDRE ET LOIRE (Chamber of Trades and 

Craft Industries)..............................................................................Gérard Bobier 

CAPEB (Confederation of Building Trades and 

Small Companies)........................................................Henry Halna du Fretay 

CCFA (Committee of French Car Manufacturers)....................... Nicolas Le Bigot 

CSTB (Building Science and Technology Centre)...........................Carole Le Gall* 

France Telecom............................................................................ Philippe Lucas 

FIEEC (Federation of Electrical and Electronic Industries).............. Claude Breining 

GDF SUEZ..................................................................................Jacques Dubost 

GIFAS (Association of French Aerospace Industries)........... Catherine Giudicelli 

INERIS (National Institute of the Industrial Environment 

and Risks)............................................................................... Vincent Lafleche* 

SNELAC (National Association for Leisure, Theme and 

Cultural Areas )......................................................................... Sophie Huberson 

TOTAL........................................................................................... Denis Deutsch 

UIC (Union of Chemical Industries)...........................................Philippe Prudhon 

*Appointed during the General Meeting in June 2012 

Consumers appointed by France's National Consumer Council 

LEO LAGRANGE CONSUMER PROTECTION 

ASSOCIATION................................................................Ludivine Coly-Dufourt 

AFOC (Consumer Workers' Force Association)........................ Etienne Defrance 

INDECOSA CGT (Employed Consumer Information and 

Protection Association - CGT).....................................................Arnaud Faucon 

Trade unions 

CFE – CGC.......................................................................... Dominique Le Page 

Local authorities ................................................................................. vacant 

Approved non-governmental organisations 

Nicolas Hulot Foundation for Nature and Mankind...................... Thierry Libaert 

Ministries 

Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing........... Viviane Apied 

Economy, Finance and Industry................................................Stanislas Martin 

Work, Employment and Continuing 

Professional Development................................ Valérie Delahaye-Guillocheau 

Defence......................................................................................... Jacques Levet 

AFNOR employees 

............................................................................................ Pascale Mienville 

................................................................................................... Vincent Coton 

Ex-officio Board members 

Interdepartmental Standards Representative...................... Jean-Marc Le Parco 

Comptroller General..................................................................... Albert Peirano 

Chairman of the Audit and Evaluation Committee................ François Falconnet 

Standardisation Coordination and Steering 

Committee (CCPN) 

as at 31 December 2012 

The CCPN was set up in September 2010 and is responsible for preparing the 

French standardisation strategy, defining the objectives and general priorities for 

the strategic committees and ensuring compliance with national, European and 

international policies. The CCPN prepares France's positions in European and 

international standardisation bodies. 

Companies 

Laurent Bernard, SAS Valpinov proposed by CGPME 

Claude Breining, Schneider Electric proposed by Medef, Chairman of the CCPN 

Jean Félix, SYNTEC 

Henry Halna du Fretay, CAPEB (Confederation of Building Trades and 

Small Companies), proposed by the Professional Union of Tradespersons (UPA), 

Deputy Chairman of the CCPN 

Consumers 

Jamy Belkiri, Familles de France 

Ludivine Coly-Dufourt, Léo Lagrange Consumer Protection Association 

Trade unions 

Dr Michel Akakpo, CFE-CGC 

Approved NGOs 

André-Jean Guérin, Nicolas Hulot Foundation for Nature and Mankind 

Local authorities 

Bernard Bezard, Chief Executive of Combs-la-Ville Council 

Bernard Decaux, Mayor of Brétigny-sur-Orge 

Ministries 

Viviane Apied, Sustainable Development Commission at the Ministry of 

Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy 

Gérard Mathieu, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries 

Standardisation operators 

Gilles Bernardeau, Standardisation bureau for the concrete industry (BNIB) 

Gilles Chopard-Guillaumot, Standardisation bureau for the railway industry (BNF) 

Philippe Contet, Standardisation union for the mechanical engineering 

industry (UNM) 

Isabelle Heller, Union for the Electrotechnical Industry (UTE) 

Thierry Crignou, AFNOR Standardisation 

All strategic committee chairmen 

see page 11 

Claude Breining, Chairman of the CCPN 

Appointed for a three-year term in December 2011, Claude Breining took over 

from Dominique Olivier as Chairman of the Standardisation Coordination and 

Steering Committee (CCPN). 

As Senior Vice-President of European Affairs and Influence Strategies at 

Schneider Electric since 2009, he is actively involved in French and European 

standardisation activities. "Standardisation is an essential tool, especially when 

rolling out a strategy in any company or organisation. It enables the company 

or organisation to move forward using the same set of rules while generating 

growth, which means jobs. It acts as a driving force for innovation in companies 

and defines the rules of the game allowing the most innovative and competitive 

companies to grow." Claude Breining is Vice-President of Finance at CENELEC 

(European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation) and an AFNOR Board 

member. From February 2012 to February 2013, the CCPN was supported in its 

missions by the Chairman’s deputy, Mr Henry Halna du Fretay. 




Audit and Evaluation Committee (CAE) 

The Audit and Evaluation Committee is responsible for organising the evaluation 

of the sector-based standardisation bureaus (SSBs) in anticipation of obtaining 

accreditation from the Minister of Industry, which is valid for a maximum duration 

of three years. Evaluations are carried out in accordance with the NF X50-088 

standard published in 2009, which provides guidelines for the activities of 

standardisation bureaus. The CAE also checks the conformity and effectiveness 

of the activity aimed at guiding and coordinating AFNOR's standardisation work, 

as well as AFNOR's standardisation bureau activities. This mission of the CAE is 

performed according to the provisions of Regulation 2009-697 of 16 June 2009. 

Members as at 31 December 2012 

Chairman appointed for five years in 2010: François Falconnet 

Chairman of ISO/TC 34 (Food products) – former Chairman of the COFRAC Audit 

Committee (French Accreditation Committee) 

Patrick Schwartzmann 

Pierre Loisier 

Alain Soury-Lavergne 

Philippe Berthon 

In 2012, the Audit and Evaluation Committee continued 

is mission of carrying out assessment audits on 

the sector-based standardisation bureaus (SSBs) 

by conducting nine initial audits for accreditation. 

Following the audits in 2011, five additional audits 

and two follow-up document audits were required to 

maintain accreditation. 

Board committees with an 

advisory role as at 31 December 2012 

Finance Committee 

16 members, chaired by AFNOR's Chairman, Claude Satinet 

Ethics Committee 

Chaired by an administrator, Dominique Hoestlandt, and featuring 

five to seven members appointed by the Board. The committee is open 

to non-Board members. 

Consumers Committee 

16 members, chaired by Arnaud Faucon, INDECOSA/CGT, 

administrator representing consumers and appointed by the Board. 

Consultation Committees 

9 to 16 members appointed by the Board. 

Two committees currently exist: 

Craft Industries, chaired by Gérard Bobier, President of the Indre et Loire 

Chamber of Trades and Craft Industries and Deputy Secretary of the APCMA 

Bureau (Permanent Assembly of Chambers of Trades and Craft Industries). 

Local authorities, chaired by Jean Auroux, former minister, 

Honorary Chairman of the FDV (Federation of Mid-Sized Cities). 

CCPN Committees 

Strategic Committees 

These committees provide collective management of AFNOR's standardisation 

activities and bring together the main decision-makers from a given sector of the 

economy. Each committee comprises a chair elected for a renewable three-year 

term, members offering a balanced representation of the major stakeholders in the 

area under consideration, and operators from the French standardisation system 

(AFNOR and sector-based standardisation bureaus). 

In 2012, the CCPN confirmed that the standardisation system would be organised 

around three types of body: standardisation committees, strategic committees and 

the CCPN. To ensure consistent practices across each type of body, the strategic 

committees and standardisation committees have been given complete flexibility in 

coordinating their activities. Coordination groups may therefore be set up at every 

level. Since coordination groups are required to play a cross-functional and advisory 

role, they are not involved in the decision-making process of the CCPN / strategic 

committees / standardisation committees. 

Strategic committees and their chairman and vice-chairman 

as at 31 December 2012 

Food products: Jean-Louis Porry, Chairman, Ministry of Agriculture, 

Gérard Boivin, Vice-Chairman, ANIA (National Association of Food Industries) 

Sport, leisure and consumer goods: Catherine Trachtenberg, 

Chairwoman, FIFAS (Federation of French Sports Product Industries) 

Construction and town planning: François Pelegrin, Chairman, 

UNSFA (National Association of French Architect Unions) 

Electrotechnologies: Patrick Bernard, Chairman, Schneider Electric, 

Jean-Yves Goblot, Vice-Chairman, Acome 

Environment and social responsibility: Vincent Laflèche, Chairman, 

INERIS (National Institute of the Industrial Environment and Risks), 

Bruno Costes, Vice-Chairman, EADS 

Gas: Dominique Kaczmarek, Chairman, GDF SUEZ 

Major water cycle: Christophe Bonnin, Chairman, Veolia Eau 

Digital communication and information: Philippe Courqueux, Chairman, CORA 

Industrial engineering, capital goods and materials: Philippe Canteau, 

Chairman, SNECMA 

Management and services: Xavier Querat-Hement, Chairman, La Poste Group 

Oil: Francis d'Auriac, Chairman, TOTAL Oil Refining 

Health and social welfare: Björn Fahlgren, Chairman, Assistance Publique - 

Hôpitaux de Paris 

Occupational health and safety: Valérie Delahaye-Guillocheau, Chairwoman, 

Ministry of Employment – DGT 

Transport and logistics: Jean-Bernard Kovarik, Chairman, Ministry of Ecology, 

Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing 

Rational energy use: Jean-Jacques Marchais, Chairman, Schneider Electric, 

Romain Cailleton, Chairman, Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development, 

Transport and Housing 


Significant events in 2012 - Governance 



Standardisation committees assigned to 

strategic committees 

After standardising how the strategic committees function and defining their 

new scope of activities in 2011, the work involved in assigning each of the 

1,000 standardisation committees to a primary strategic committee for 

oversight purposes was completed in 2012. 

Reassignment of BNTB standardisation committees 

In June 2011, the CSTB (Building Science and Technology Centre) announced 

that it would stop providing the sector-based standardisation bureau activities 

that it had been performing through the BNTB (standardisation bureau for 

building technology). 

During its meeting on 19 January 2012, the "Construction and Town Planning" 

strategic committee approved the proposals submitted by both the sector-based 

standardisation bureaus and AFNOR to take over the standardisation committees. 

Seven committees that actively pursue a range of topics cutting 

across the entire building industry (earthquake engineering, property 

construction, guard rails, heating systems, building thermal performance and 

acoustical engineering) have been reassigned to AFNOR. Two committees 

are currently inactive, including private car parks. UNM (National Union of 

Mechanical Engineering) has taken over all subject areas relating to solar water 

heaters, while BNTEC (standardisation bureau for building technology) is now 

covering topics relating to the implementation of "heating system" and "solar 

energy" committees. 

BNTRA - the new standardisation bureau spawned 

by the BNSR - BNEVT merger 

Late 2011, SETRA (the technical division of the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable 

Development, Transport and Housing), which oversees the soil & roads (BNSR) and 

highways & transport standardisation bureaus (BNEVT), announced its intention 

to merge both bureaus. Following approval from the Interdepartmental Standards 

Representative, the proposal received the green light from the CCPN and AFNOR's 

Board of Directors in 2012, thus spawning BNTRA (standardisation bureau for 

transport, highways and planning). 

New chair for BNAE 

On 1 June 2012, Guy Rupied took over from Claude Side as chair of BNAE, the 

standardisation bureau for the aviation and space industries. He was previously 

Executive Director of GIFAS (Association of French Aerospace Industries). 

BNAME becomes BN Ferti 

On 21 February 2012, the standardisation bureau for soil amendment and fertilisers 

saw its area of responsibility extended to encompass standardisation of 

fertiliser materials, culture media, mulch, compounds and additives, as well as the 

methods used to characterise such materials. BNAME is now officially BN Ferti 

(fertilisation standardisation bureau). 

AFNOR-UTE memorandum of understanding 

On 4 December 2012, AFNOR and UTE* put the finishing touches to a global 

memorandum of understanding (MoU) in line with France's standardisation 

Regulation of 2009. The focus of the MoU concerns AFNOR's designation 

as a French member of the IEC* and CENELEC*, as well as ways of 

improving the French standardisation system. All the conditions for 

enforcing the provisions of the MoU will be defined and finalised in 2013, 

with implementation scheduled for 1 January 2014. 

AFNOR awarded membership of ETSI, Europe's 

no. 3 standardisation body 

A knock-on effect of the convergence between digital technology and 

telecommunications is the increasing number of overlapping standardisation 

fields between the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN), the European 

Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation (CENELEC) and/or the European 

Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). Experts from these organisations 

therefore need to adopt a holistic approach to all standardisation issues covered at 

the European level. 

By participating as an ETSI committee member, AFNOR can deliver a practical 

response to the needs of the relevant standardisation committees and promote a 

broader insight into the CEN and ETSI standardisation bodies. 

* UTE (Union for the Electrotechnical Industry) features all the stakeholders representing 

the interests of the French electrotechnical industry. As such, UTE constitutes the French 

Electrotechnical Committee and is a member of the International Electrotechnical Commission 

(IEC) and the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation (CENELEC). 

Olivier Peyrat appointed Vice-President (Finance) 

of ISO 

Following changes to its governance structure, ISO created the position of Vice- 

President (Finance). In January 2013, the two-year term was awarded to Olivier 

Peyrat, Chief Executive Officer of AFNOR. The appointment of a third vice-president 

alongside the Japanese Vice-President (Policy) and the Austrian Vice-President 

(Technical Management) reflects the modern face of ISO's governance team. 

This appointment also pays tribute to the actions that AFNOR has been 

pursuing within ISO in championing the interests of French economic players. 

Alain Costes, Director of AFNOR Standardisation, is taking over from Olivier 

Peyrat as AFNOR's representative within the ISO Council, alongside the five other 

permanent members: United States (ANSI), Japan (JQA), United Kingdom (BSI), 

Germany (DIN) and China (SAC). 

Europe enacts a regulation on 

standardisation 

On 14 November 2012, Regulation 1025/2012 on European 

standardisation was published in the Official Journal of the European 

Union and implemented early 2013. The regulation aims to ensure 

that standards are prepared more quickly, offer greater 

representation of stakeholders and prepare harmonised 

European standards in the services field. In terms of 

information technology, the regulation provides for identifying the 

specifications defined by fora or consortia that may be included 

in the European Union's public markets. France was involved from 

the outset and played an important role in engineering the regulation. 

Acting through its governance bodies, AFNOR also played an 

educational role during preparation of the regulation to its stakeholders 

and French MEPs (Members of the European Parliament). 



Keynote speech from Rob Steele, 

ISO Secretary-General, to the CCPN 

During his official visit to Paris in May 2012, Rob Steele presented an overview of 

ISO's relations with its key partners to the CCPN. CCPN members raised questions 

about ISO's relations with American standardisation bodies and how major 

countries and emerging nations are positioned in relation to Europe. Rob 

Steele gave renewed assurance of Europe's – and France's – influence within ISO. 

Although most eyes are focused on China, South Korea's growing involvement 

in the international standardisation field should not be overlooked. 

D2IE-INPI-AFNOR - joining forces to tackle 

economic intelligence, industrial property and 

standardisation issues 

On Tuesday, 20 March 2012, D2IE (Interdepartmental Advisory Group on Economic 

Intelligence), the National Institute for Industrial Property (INPI) and AFNOR signed 

three bilateral agreements aimed at stepping up their cooperative ties during a 

meeting guided by the Ministry for industry, Energy and the Digital Economy. 

The agreements firm up the commitment of the three parties to take concerted 

action in a number of areas, such as supporting companies, especially 

SMEs, with their innovation strategies and providing guidance on protecting and 

disseminating their innovations; developing awareness-raising and training tools, 

and shared teaching aids; and bolstering cooperation on prospective analysis and 

strategic intelligence activities by exchanging information more frequently. 

AFNOR standardisation fund 

This endowment fund was set up in November 2011 and is aimed at promoting 

the benefits of standardisation and driving its development. 

The fund features four focus areas: sense future standardisation needs, scope out 

and identify new potential players, educate about standardisation, and promote 

economic intelligence. 

Educating about standardisation is one of the test projects that came under 

the Board's scrutiny in 2012 and generated a number of contacts with public 

educational institutions eligible to receive financial support from the fund. 

In order to target the aid that AFNOR intends to award to general-interest 

organisations, the Board invited suggestions for eligible topics. The responses 

received showed a clear bias towards consumer goods and sustainable lifestyles, 

which may encompass the following: 

Evaluation of the social and environmental impact and cost. 

Customer perception of the environmental impacts. 

Measures to increase product service life and maintainability. 

Applicants will be invited to submit their projects in 2013. 

AFNOR Standardisation 

Guidance, leadership and coordination of 

work on the French standardisation 

system and production of standards and 

reference documents. 

Director: 

Alain Costes 

Deputy Director: 

Isabelle Rimbert 

Guidance and coordination of the 

French standardisation system 

• Orientation and Development 

• Coordination and Support 

• European and international affairs 

1,942 standards published 

including 60% revisions 

1,543 standards withdrawn 

214 trained standardisation experts 

12 new responsibilities gained in 2012 by AFNOR for its 

SENIOR MANAGEMENT 

Departments 

SSB-related activity (7 in ISO and 5 in CEN) 

Production of French, European and 

international standards 

• Food & drink, health and social welfare 

• Construction and water cycle 

• Industrial engineering and environment 

• Services, management and consumer goods 

• Transport, energy and communication 



15

Significant events in 2012 - Standardisation 



January 2012 

An AFNOR guide to the progressive quality approach 

for microbusinesses and SMEs 

Various companies have shared their experiences in pursuing 

a quality strategy and their quality best practices in favour 

of producing a guide on how to implement a progressive quality approach. 

The instructional guide uses simple and pragmatic language to 

debunk the myths surrounding the ISO 9001 standard. Designed 

for microbusinesses and small / medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by a group 

of people working within such structures or who are intimately familiar with the 

sector, the guide provides readers with an introduction and reminder of what quality 

strategies involve. The "Microbusiness and SME guide to superior performance 

with a progressive quality approach" strikes a chord with the strategic directions 

voiced by microbusiness and SME representatives participating in both the AFNOR 

Standards and Trades Consultation Committee (CCNA) and the Standardisation 

Coordination and Steering Committee (CCPN). 

Preliminary standardisation survey for health and 

biotechnology SMEs 

AFNOR has teamed up with the Paris Chamber of Commerce (CCIP) to support 

Parisian biotech and health SMEs with their growth strategy as part of the 

Biotech-Health DEFI plan. Financed by the DIRECCTE Île-de-France government 

enterprise agency, Europe (ERDF) and the Île-de-France region, and overseen by 

the MEDICEN Paris Région business cluster, this scheme offers a broad array 

of tools - training workshops, business conventions, financial 

support... - as well as a five-day preliminary standardisation survey. The survey 

examines the standards framework surrounding a given innovative project and 

provides a set of recommendations on how the project should be tied into the 

standardisation activities. 

Preventing electrical risks during operations and installations 

In January 2012, the Union for the Electrotechnical Industry (UTE) published 

a standard entitled "Operations on electrical structures and installations, and 

operations in electrical environments - Prevention of electrical risks". This standard 

sets forth a series of preventive measures to ensure personal safety against 

electrical risks when working in an electrical environment. 

A future standard on ergonomic booths 

in household waste sorting centres 

Waste sorting is one of the highest-risk jobs for musculoskeletal 

disorders (MSDs). However, there is currently no French, 

European (CEN) or international (ISO) standard to help professionals 

reduce MSDs in sorting centres. Professionals in the sector therefore 

called on AFNOR to prepare a standard. Since January 2012, 

an AFNOR committee has been overseeing the future standard, 

which will include ergonomic requirements for designing booths 

in household waste sorting centres. This normative document will 

represent a key tool for identifying the main risk factors 

for the health and safety of sorting agents. 

Determining energy savings 

Eleven countries (Germany, United States, Finland, 

France, Japan, Netherlands, United Kingdom, South Africa, 

Brazil, China and India) played an active part in the second 

plenary meeting of the International Technical Committee 

"General technical rules for determination of energy 

savings" (chaired by France and China) at AFNOR's head 

office in January 2012. Three working groups were created 

after the meeting and are responsible for defining the 

methodological framework applicable to calculation and 

reporting on energy savings, general calculation methods for countries, regions and 

cities, and general technical rules for projects and industrial firms. A fourth working 

group is tasked with calculating energy efficiency and savings for organisations. 

New European requirements for offshore oil and gas equipment 

In 2012, the European Commission called on European standardisation bodies to 

define a set of harmonised standards specifically for the equipment used by 

the offshore oil and gas industries. Such equipment is governed by three directives 

relating to explosive atmospheres, pressure equipment and machinery. Harmonised 

standards will ensure that these directives apply more effectively to the equipment 

used by the industries concerned. The CEN technical committee on materials, 

equipment and offshore structures (featuring a French chair and secretariat) 

has created an ad hoc group, which is responsible for leading a feasibility study 

to quantify the resources and time required to submit an existing standard for 

harmonisation. Three types of equipment have been chosen (platform elevators, 

cooling towers and centrifugal pumps) to cover all eventualities, from a standard 

affected by just one of the directives to a standard affected by several directives. 

February 2012 

Paintball - moving towards a standard for greater safety 

Early 2012 set the scene for the first meeting of the AFNOR committee responsible 

for preparing a standard on paintballing in France. Work on the standard involved 

defining the safety criteria for non-professional players and how land is used for 

paintballing. A draft standard was submitted for public consultation in February 

2013. The standard is aimed at ensuring and guaranteeing a higher level of 

safety for regular or occasional paintballers, promoting fair competition between 

the service providers and distributors in the market, and ultimately enhancing 

paintball's image among the public. 

March 2012 

The French standard on electronic archiving is converted into 

an ISO international standard 

The international standard on the specifications concerning the design and the 

operation of an information system for electronic information preservation is actually 

based on a French standard. AFNOR published the French standard in 2009 and 

subsequently submitted it to ISO, which voted to transform it into an international 

standard. This standard alerts companies to the specifications for the technological 

and organisational measures that need to be implemented for recording, archiving, 

viewing and disseminating digital documents in order to preserve and 

guarantee their integrity. 

Creation of a strategic coordination group for nuclear energy 

This group is responsible for coordinating the actions spearheaded by French 

players in the nuclear industry, especially on a European level. This group will 

mirror the CEN-CENELEC "Nuclear Energy" focus group and will also oversee 

inter-sector coordination groups working on nuclear issues. 




Vote to revise the ISO 9001 standard on quality 

management systems 

From 15 October 2011 to 15 March 2012, ISO consulted with 

its member countries on the future of the ISO 9001 standard. 

30 countries voted in favour of a revision, including 

the main users - France, Brazil, the United States and the United 

Kingdom. In June 2012, the international technical committee 

started work on revising the standard, with publication slated for 

2015. A working group has been specifically created to oversee 

the project. Its members will draw on the results of the ISO survey 

carried out among users between October 2010 and February 

2011 and which elicited 12,000 replies. They will also take an 

in-depth look into the prospect of incorporating such new concepts as a risk 

management approach and reinforced process management. 

March / October 2012 

France - a driving force for water standards 

In June 2012, ISO set up an international task force on water, chaired jointly by 

France and Japan, with the aim of implementing the three priorities identified 

during the workshop attended by 22 countries in Kobe, Japan, in July of 

the same year. These priorities are: Address system water loss and water leakage, 

standards for the reuse of water and standards on sludge use and generation. The 

task force will also assist ISO in finding the most effective way of organising work 

on its existing water standards and determining the best strategy for addressing 

the new priorities proposed. The international technical committee on water-related 

service activities (for which France is the chair and secretariat) played a key role in 

preparing the ground for the sixth World Water Forum held in Marseille in March 

2012. This three-yearly event strives to encourage progress on the world's water 

challenges and share views on the best solutions for addressing those challenges. 

Sustainable development in communities - 

a new ISO technical committee with AFNOR at the helm 

After a year of talks on both a national and international level and following an 

official consultation with ISO's member countries between October 2011 and 

February 2012, the French proposal of creating a new technical committee to 

address the concept of sustainable development in communities was accepted. 

ISO/TC 268 "Sustainable development in communities" held its first meeting from 

4 to 6 July 2012 in AFNOR's offices. At the same time, two other proposals relating 

to similar topics were assigned to the new ISO/TC 268 technical committee. 

The first proposal concerns a draft standard for a system of global city indicators 

submitted by the GCIF (Global Cities Indicators Facilities) - a consortium featuring 

the World Bank, the OECD, UNEP* and cities around the world. The second 

proposal concerns a draft standard for smart community infrastructures submitted 

by Japan. 

Nanotechnologies - French standardisation on the cutting 

edge of a new industrial revolution 

These infinitely small particles (the size of an atom) can give materials an innovative 

range of properties, but they also raise question marks about the dangers of such 

technologies. The challenge consequently facing standardisation is to take part 

in this new revolution sweeping industry by creating a framework 

of standards. On an international level, France is working on an inspection 

method for each danger band and a labelling system for nanomaterials. 

Various projects are underway in Europe, including one that is particularly focused 

on the responsible development of nanotechnologies and which will involve 

assisting industry in managing the risks inherent in nanoproducts. In France, 

work is also being pursued on the risk of exposure to workers. 

March / June 2012 

The manual handling of loads standard hits the regions 

In an effort to raise awareness of this standard and how companies can actually 

implement the standard to help prevent occupational health and safety risks, 

AFNOR held a series of briefing sessions in various cities around the country. 

Over 200 business professionals, ergonomists and prevention officers appreciated 

the speeches given by members from the standardisation committee. Members 

drove home the importance of using the document as a blueprint for improving 

practices and minimising the risks inherent in manually handling loads. 

April 2012 

Cloud computing - facing up to geostrategic challenges with an 

international standard 

Information system professionals around the world are turning to cloud computing* 

in their droves. In October 2010, ISO created a technical committee (with a 

Chinese chair and US secretariat) to address the issue of cloud computing, with 

a standard in the pipeline for 2014. On a national level, AFNOR has been leading 

a standardisation committee to aggregate the standpoints held by 

French players and thereby make their voices heard during international talks. 

Groundwork has already been carried out internationally to identify the components 

of the future standard. Once the tricky task of defining the terminology has been 

completed, the standard will be broken down into three target areas - the roles 

(suppliers, consumers and auditors), the architectural elements associated with 

those roles, and the cross-functional concepts (security, confidentiality and so on). 

A normative document for defining and classifying smart textiles 

and identifying their functionality 

What is a "smart" textile? A normative document prepared under the responsibility 

of the standardisation bureau for the textiles and clothing industry (BNITH) defines 

and classifies these types of textile. The document also provides indications on 

the needs for standardisation in this particular area. Thermally-conductive textiles 

(which transfer heat), chromatic textiles (which allow clothes to change colour 

according to light, heat or pressure) and phase change textiles (capable of storing 

and releasing large amounts of energy when the material changes from the solid 

to the liquid state)… these are just some of the examples of functional or smart 

textiles presented in the published document and which feature the textile products 

and smart textile systems of today's and tomorrow's worlds. 

Towards a converged ISO / CEN standard on 

machinery safety 

Two standards on "machinery safety" with overlapping fields of 

application are confusing users about which standard to use: 

the ISO 13849-1 standard (Safety-related parts of control systems) 

and the IEC 62061 standard (Functional safety of electrical, electronic 

and programmable electronic control systems). Aware of the problem, 

French partners in the sector have created a joint national task force 

between the UNM and UTE to brainstorm potential solutions. 

A proposal was therefore fielded to ISO and the IEC to merge both 

standards and create an ISO/IEC working group to perform the task. 

The French proposal was accepted by ISO/TC 199 and IEC/TC 44, 

and the joint task force held its first meeting in London on 12 and 13 

March 2012. Philippe Juhel (IEC expert – Schneider Electric) was 

appointed to head up the task force, with the UNM acting as secretary. 

* Cloud Computing is a computing architecture where users can remotely access hardware 

resources (data hosting, applications, etc.) over the Internet. 

* UNEP: United Nations Environment Programme. 




April / December 2012 

Perception system performance 

The development of perception systems - reversing radars, intrusion detection, 

traffic sign analysis, and so on – is unlikely to create a major stir in the market 

unless efforts are made to create a standard set of methods for assessing 

and comparing their performance. An initial project carried out during 2012 

(the Quasper R&D governmental fund) confirmed the need for and feasibility 

of such a standard. The decision was therefore taken to create the SYSPER 

task force under the responsibility of Thalès. The first work meeting was held 

in December. 

The objective facing participants (manufacturers, systems integrators and security 

users) is to publish a national joint voluntary standard by mid-2013. 

June 2012 

Publication of a second white paper on environmentally-responsible 

information systems 

Environmentally-responsible information systems can be 

used to design and leverage information and communication 

technologies with the aim of minimising the environmental 

impact of the various functional areas within the organisation. 

This second white paper builds on the 2010 version 

and delivers a set of recommendations on how to 

implement an environmentally-responsible 

information system. The target readership 

includes people in charge of information systems, 

corporate services and purchasing, as well as information 

system users, software vendors, service providers and 

systems integrators. 

Second meeting of the task force responsible for defining 

a standard for culinary siphons 

Culinary siphons are pressurised appliances that use a gas cartridge. 

Serious accidents have occurred where the siphon head has broken and been 

propelled outwards, especially when fitting the gas cartridge in the appliance. 

AFNOR began leading standardisation work on culinary siphons at the request 

of the LNE (National Metrology and Test Laboratory). In 2010 and 2011, 

manufacturers, retailers and exporters of siphons called on the LNE to check the 

safety of such products. Early 2012, AFNOR set up a specific task force to prepare 

a standard defining the safety requirements for these pressure appliances. 

The future French standard will contain test methods and common specifications 

for siphon safety. 

Release of the responsible purchasing standard 

A new standard provides guidance on how to apply the ISO 26000 

standard on social responsibility to purchasing. 

The first part of the standard on responsible purchasing discusses on the political 

and strategic challenges facing purchasing divisions. The second part addresses 

the purchasing process and supports the deployment of a social responsibility 

initiative with a view to incorporating the various aspects of social responsibility, 

as described in ISO 26000, into economic considerations. 

International work based on the French standard was launched early 2013 and is 

being overseen by both France and Brazil. 

August 2012 

Moves towards an international standard on service quality in 

customer contact centres 

In the wake of the publication of a French and European standard on customer 

contact centres, ISO (International Organization for Standardization) has created 

a new technical committee to define an international standard in this particular 

field. To date, there is no international code of conduct governing customer 

contact centres, whether for incoming calls made by consumers or outgoing calls 

made to consumers by the call centre. The purpose of the future standard is to 

guarantee consumers an effective and high-quality service. It should 

address the system for dealing with customer complaints entailing various forms 

of communication, so-called "critical" situations, the consumer level of service and 

ways of assessing operator performance. The standard is also aimed at improving 

relations between consumers and call centres. 

September 2012 

Preliminary standardisation work on the description of 

construction products 

After consulting with interested parties during the summer, AFNOR began working 

on defining a standard method for describing the properties of 

construction products, based on the existing properties defined in the quality 

standards, regulations and trademarks. The AFNOR standardisation committee 

features construction product manufacturers, project managers, architects and 

property developers. 

Solar energy - new standardisation projects 

On 12 July, members of the "Solar Energy" committee held a meeting chaired 

by the UNM, which had taken over the committee's missions following BNTB's 

withdrawal. Members voted in favour of including new topics relating to the 

durability and performance of vacuum tubes and heat pipes, and simultaneously 

developing work on both a European and international level. The committee's 

field of activity, which currently focuses on solar collectors and the associated 

equipment for air and water heating appliances and refrigeration devices (excluding 

photovoltaic collectors, as covered by UTE UF82) was approved. Members 

are currently brainstorming ways of developing the committee's activities and 

ushering in new technologies, such as cylindrical panels and solar dishes, 

as well as industrial processes. 

Second survey launched into the use of the ISO 26000 

standard in France 

The first survey into the use of ISO 26000 (standard providing guidance 

on social responsibility) in France helped identify initial feedback that 

served as the basis for a report published on the website of the 

ISO 26000 Observatory. In addition to the report, the initial survey allowed ISO 26000 

users to voice their need for documents and tools with a greater operational and 

practical bias. The publication of the first ISO 26000 user guides for purchasing, 

communication and the food & drink industry represents an initial response to 

users' expectations. The second survey was conducted between September and 

October 2012. 

Creation of a carbon dioxide capture, transportation and geological 

storage standardisation committee 

After several months of investigations, the carbon dioxide capture, transportation 

and geological storage coordination group secured consensus for organising 

work on the subject. This work comes in response to Canada's calls for an 

international technical committee. ISO/TC 265 will therefore be followed by a 

new standardisation committee. In light of the major social challenges facing 

this area, this committee reports to the environmental and social 

responsibility strategic committees. Some subject areas may be 

delegated to the standardisation bureau for the gas industry (BNG). Marc David 

- Air Liquide - was appointed chaiman of this committee in November 2012. 

France has actually secured its place alongside China in heading up and acting as 

secretary for the international working group on cross-functional subjects. 

October 2012 

A standard defines the requirements for carrying out quality 

energy audits 

Energy audits are a key stage for any organisation intent on streamlining its 

energy use. The NF EN 16247-1 standard published in October 2012 sets 

out the general requirements for energy audits and responds to the European 

Contribution des organisations au Développement Durable 

A fiche ISO 26 00 40x60 vec.in d 1 2/03/10 13:24:23 




Commission's request to the CEN to issue Member States with a standard meeting 

the requirement of Article 8 of the Energy Efficiency Directive. Article 8 calls on the 

Member States to promote the availability to all final customers of high quality 

energy audits which are cost-effective and makes energy audits mandatory 

for large enterprises. The NF EN 16247-1 standard serves as a benchmark for 

carrying out energy audits and is quoted in the recitals of the new directive. 

November 2012 

Managing a project from A to Z - the first international standard on 

project management 

In a move to provide guidance to companies and especially project managers and 

team members, an international standard building upon the collection of French 

standards sets out a series of recommendations relating to the concepts and 

processes of project management. The universal project management concepts set 

out in this standard answer such questions as, "What is a project?", "What is project 

management?" and "What is the best project management strategy?". The standard 

also identifies the recommended project management processes, like 

preparing the project charter, forming the project team and defining the project 

organisation. 

AFNOR focuses the spotlight on workplace lighting 

AFNOR has produced a draft standard that sets out the ergonomic principles and 

a specific method for defining the essential components of workplace lighting. 

The draft indicates the benchmarks and recommendations for ensuring 

employees' visual comfort. For example, lighting levels must be tailored 

to actual working conditions and allow employees to perform their tasks as 

comfortably as possible. The draft standard delivers a set of methods for installing 

lighting in the workplace. Lighting engineers now have access to a wealth of 

practical information for installing their lighting systems. 

Future European standards on cocoa and cocoa-based products 

In May 2012, the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) decided to create 

a technical committee on sustainable and traceable cocoa. The aim is to deliver 

an effective response to the needs voiced by European manufacturers in 

the cocoa industry. The committee's work should ultimately lead to a series of draft 

standards detailing requirements for sustainability and traceability during cocoa 

bean production and recommendations for certification bodies involved in assessing 

the conformity of cocoa sustainability and traceability. Future standards will foster 

improved living conditions and income for plantation workers, while helping wipe 

out forced labour and child labour. The AFNOR standardisation committee set up 

late 2012 will play an active role in the work carried out by CEN. 

December 2012 

Effective business continuity management to prevent any 

disruptive incidents 

Installing a business continuity management system (BCMS) can shield 

against disruptive incidents and reduce the likelihood of those incidents occurring, 

while allowing organisations to prepare for, respond to and recover from any such 

incidents. The ISO 22301 standard sets out requirements for establishing and 

Plans for a new national appendix to Eurocode 3 

for designing steel structures 

The national appendix to the Eurocode 3 standard on the general rules for 

designing steel structures was revised and submitted for public consultation 

in November 2012. The appendix was prepared by AFNOR acting under the 

delegated authority of the standardisation bureau for structural steelwork. 

What are Eurocodes? Eurocodes are a set of 58 European standards 

harmonising the design methods used for verifying the stability 

and sizing of the different structural elements of buildings and engineered 

structures. The draft national appendix defines the conditions for applying the 

"Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures - General rules and rules for buildings" 

standard in France. 

managing an effective business continuity management system. 

These requirements allow organisations to plan, establish, implement, 

operate, monitor, review, maintain and continually improve a business continuity 

management system. Requirements therefore follow the PDCA model (Plan-Do- 

Check-Act), such as it applies to quality management systems. 

A standard for correctly assembling flat-pack furniture 

The standardisation bureau for timber and furnishings (BNBA) has produced a 

standard containing a list of requirements and recommendations for the information 

to be supplied with flat-pack furniture, the aim being to help consumers and 

guarantee high-quality results. The "Home furniture – Information to be supplied with 

flat-pack furniture - requirements and recommendations" standard also describes 

the type of information that should be given to buyers before and after the purchase 

and the information to be supplied with the product if necessary. The standard 

is intended for flat-pack furniture manufacturers and furniture professionals, 

retailers and distributors. 

Gas installation safety - a new version of the flagship standard 

This new version of the standard defines the terms for carrying out safety 

inspections on indoor gas installations for domestic use during the sale of 

residential property and specifies the role of the different stakeholders 

concerned (inspection firms, gas utilities, contracting parties, property 

management companies, social landlords and installation owners). 

New mission for the "Personal home care services" 

standardisation committee 

In the wake of the publication of the regulation in September 2011, 

amending certain provisions of the French Labour Code relating to personal 

services, several players in the sector called for a revision to the "Personal home 

care services" standard. The regulation is aimed at simplifying the rules for new 

personal service organisations by replacing the current accreditation system with a 

self-assessment system. The revised standard should form a common framework 

of requirements to promote the expertise of professionals working in the sector. 

It will be designed to help organisations apply, maintain and improve their service 

quality strategy in accordance with the requirements of the 

regulation. AFNOR's "Personal home care services" standardisation committee 

has therefore been revived. 

AFNOR and Le Moniteur produce a handbook 

on standards and construction 

How is a standard created? What is the scope of application for 

standards in the construction industry? How do they relate to the 

CE marking? How do they apply to public procurement? The Le 

Moniteur handbook on public works and construction answers 

such questions. The handbook is essential reading for any 

players in the construction industry. Serving as benchmarks 

with respect to product implementation, design, services, and so 

on, standards are prevalent throughout the construction and civil 

engineering sector. Some standards have become mandatory, 

insofar as they are irreplaceable and concern all stakeholders. Most of 

the non-mandatory standards often serve as a reference for insurers 

when dealing with claims and for magistrates when handling disputes. 

Consumer reviews on the Internet 

The future standard that AFNOR has created to give Internet users greater 

confidence in the reviews posted online received over 300 comments when 

submitted for public enquiry on 2 December 2012. The draft standard has 

received considerable media exposure and was defined by consensus 

with close to 50 organisations (review sites, consumer associations, trade unions, 

enterprises, local authorities and local government). The standard will strive to 

achieve such aims as building consumers' trust in websites that collect and post 

other consumers' reviews, and helping companies and organisations improve their 

products and services in response to consumer reviews that have been collected 

and posted in a reliable manner and enabling them to communicate with their 

customers. The standard is due to be published mid-2013… 


Institutional affairs and 

international cooperation 

Member network 

The organisational structure of the "Institutional Affairs and Technical Cooperation" 

Department underwent a series of changes in 2012. Incorporated into the 

standardisation activity on 1 January 2013, the department is responsible for 

overseeing all of AFNOR's relations with European and international 

institutions, especially as they relate to standardisation. The 

department keeps tabs on all standardisation work and carries out the necessary 

groundwork ahead of the meetings attended by AFNOR's Chief Executive Officer 

or Director of Standardisation in European and international standardisation bodies 

(CEN, ISO, etc.). The department is responsible for reporting to and consulting with 

the CCPN, and also oversees all work aimed at promoting international technical 

cooperation. Since January 2013, the department's 11-strong team has been 

reporting directly to the Director of AFNOR Standardisation and driving the actions 

of the unit in charge of ISO and CEN technical affairs, thereby developing synergistic 

ties and strengthening our influence in the international arena. 

During 2012, the teams continued spearheading a number of initiatives aimed at 

reinforcing France's influence in the standardisation sector. For instance, AFNOR 

brought all its weight to bear during reforms to CEN's governance 

structure to safeguard the place of French standardisation representatives in the 

organisation and ensure its effective oversight. 

AFNOR was also actively involved in the changes to Regulation 125/2012 on 

European standardisation, which will take effect early 2013. 

AFNOR also consulted to government officials on strategies for strengthening the 

country's influence and contributed to the report on "International Standardisation 

and Influence Strategies" penned by the Interdepartmental Advisory Group on 

Economic Intelligence (January 2012) and the report on "Developing a strategic 

influence in the international standards sector for France" by Claude Revel as part of 

the mission vested by the Ministry of Foreign Trade in September 2012. 

AFNOR continues to play a highly active role within the RNF (French-Speaking 

Standardisation Network), a forum where members share views and brainstorm 

ideas on standardisation, especially with African countries. AFNOR actually 

sent a delegation to the first French Language World Forum (Quebec, 

July 2012). 

AFNOR also lends its support to DEVCO (committee for leading ISO work on 

developing countries) with a number of French-language events, such as ISO 50001 

training in the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire and the ISO/IEC/DEVCO regional seminar 

in Burkina Faso. 

Part of the activities that AFNOR has been championing for many years to promote 

technical cooperation on an international level in the field of quality infrastructures* 

has been transferred to ADETEF, the international cooperation agency of the 

Ministries for the Economy, Budget, Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport 

and Housing. The transfer was made official by means of a partnership agreement, 

whereby AFNOR has agreed to provide ADETEF with its skills in developing and 

mobilising expertise. 

AFNOR is continuing to provide services under its other contracts, including technical 

support in Belarus, twinning in 

Tunisia, work on Eurocodes in 

Montenegro in association with ASI 

(Austria), and energy efficiency in 

the Ukraine in liaison with ADETEF. 

* Metrology, accreditation, 

standardisation and evaluation of 

conformity. 

Note 

2012 brought a close to AFNOR's technical 

cooperation services with ARYM (Macedonia), 

a candidate country for EU membership. ARYM and 

its standardisation body, ISRM, enlisted AFNOR's 

expertise in 2010 to help meet its free trade 

requirements. The 19-month cooperation services 

involved the challenge of setting up a strengthened 

standardisation and certification system, which 

ultimately ended in success. 

Forming a network with AFNOR at the epicentre, members 

are first in line when it comes to receiving information 

throughout the year on the latest developments in 

standards and legislation. 

The new subscription pricing scheme came into force in 

2012. The scheme takes account of the revenue that 

companies have generated, especially SMEs and mid-cap 

companies, which helps ensure that the subscription fees 

paid by members are spread out more evenly. The pricing 

scheme is based on various subscription levels. The services 

available within each level depend on the fees paid by 

the company. 

Of the 2,083 members, including 50 new subscriptions in 

2012, nearly a quarter are manufacturers. The remaining 

members are service providers (14%), metal industry 

firms (8.6%), traders and wholesalers (7.6%), and test, 

inspection and analysis laboratories (7.3%). Members are 

mainly located in the Greater Paris area and the Rhônes- 

Alpes-Auverge region. 

Members are entitled to a broad array of special privileges, 

including VIP Meetings, which are attended by executive 

officers from leading international standardisation bodies 

(ISO, SAC, and so on). In 2012, close to 550 members had 

chance to discuss a broad range of topics, including such 

future subjects as responsible purchasing and biomimetics, 

with experts from various sectors. 

The first version of a guide for 

standardisation coordinators 

rolled off the press in 2012. Driven 

by the latest practices, the guide 

represents a tool for the member 

company's executive officers and 

other functional areas interfacing 

with senior management. 



25

Standardisation costs and resources 

AFNOR Publishing 

Standardisation activities are joint projects that benefit all social and economic 

players. Funding for such activities comes from a wide number of sources, 

such as the government, businesses and their representative organisations, 

consumer associations, regional authorities, NGOs and trade unions. 

Standardisation activities are funded according to specific rules: 

AFNOR's role of guiding and coordinating comes from 

government subsidies, which are subject to an annual agreement and 

performance contract signed for 2011 to 2015, and AFNOR membership fees. 

The role of authoring standards is funded through standardisation 

contracts brokered with the main interested parties, the proceeds from the sale 

of standards and fees collected from AFNOR members. All standardisation work 

is carried out under contract, meaning that it is financed by the stakeholders 

involved in the work. The time that "experts" (professionals from every sector 

contributing to the standard) spend on subjects selected or suggested by 

standardisation bodies (analysis of working documents, comments, proposals, 

participation in meetings, etc.), plus travel to meetings in France and abroad, 

represents the largest cost item in the standardisation process. 

AFNOR's subsidiaries (certification, training and international activities) 

contribute to the association's results. 

AFNOR 

SSB 

Allocation of standardisation resources in France 

AFNOR Standardisation resources 

Government subsidies Guidance and coordination of the system 

Membership 

• Standardisation contracts 

• Remuneration for 

producing standards* 

• Own resources (contracts, 

membership...) 

• Remuneration for 

producing standards* 

• Oversight and strategy 

• European and international affairs 

• Evaluation and coordination 

of requirements 

• Organisation of public enquiry processes 

• Approval and publication of standards 

Production of standards and reference 

documents by AFNOR 

Production of standards 

and reference documents by the 

sector-based standardisation bureaus 

Publisher of standards-based 

professional and technical 

solutions and information 

geared towards four key needs: 

document access, intelligence, 

analysis and assessment. 

Breakdown in business revenue 

64% 

Subscriptions and 

bespoke products 

6% 

Books and collections 

30% 

Individual 

standards 

Books/standards collections.........100 new publications 

Individual standards................ over 100,000 

standards sold 

Subscription solutions............ over 100,000 

users worldwide 

* Remuneration calculated according to proceeds from the sale of standards and the share in AFNOR's 

overall normative activity. 

Norm’info ..........over 30,000 telephone enquiries, 

answer rate: 98.7% 

Director: Isabelle Sitbon 



27

AFNOR Publishing 

Subsidiaries’ activities 

On the cutting edge of technology with 

the XML format 

Customers of AFNOR Publishing can rest assured of easy access to the latest 

standards and regulations at all times from a trustworthy source. 

With digital products and services accounting for 90% of its portfolio, 

AFNOR Publishing believes in technological innovation as a driving force 

for development. 

The latest innovation pioneered by AFNOR Publishing is support for the HTML 

format, representing a first in the world of access to standards. This technology 

changes the way in which users navigate and view information, while delivering 

easier, more intuitive access to the full standards and regulations. AFNOR 

Publishing has gone to great lengths to promote all the advantages of this new 

format to its customers, with the focus on knowledge-building and easy sharing. 

All subscription solutions offering access to AFNOR Publishing's document base now 

include HTML-based functionality. The idea quickly proved successful, with an 

advanced search feature for looking up terms within standards, instant display, 

navigation chapter-by-chapter or standard-by-standard… customers were won 

over by the advantages of this technology. 

Early 2013, the added value of this technology also gave a boost to unit sales 

of standards. 

The growing stream of standards around the world 

AFNOR Publishing's international dimension plays a key role, whether by giving 

French companies easy access to foreign standards or by disseminating AFNOR's 

standards abroad. This strategy frequently prompts AFNOR Publishing to enter 

into distribution agreements with its various counterparts. 

The last agreement to date was signed in September 2012 with the 

Brazilian National Standards Organisation (ABNT) for the dissemination of 

each other's standards, thereby giving organisations around the world a passport 

to economic development. 

Online standard sales 

In 2012, unit sales of standards grew by 5%. Changes to AFNOR Publishing's 

online store had something to do with this success story. With over 100,000 

standards, 300 collections and books, the online store acts as a one-stop shop 

for all standards-related information. The store's new-look interface launched in 

April is designed to simplify viewing and the online purchasing process, with new 

search modes, new areas such as "standards and essential reading" for each 

subject area or sector of activity, and "foreign standards" arranged by subject 

area and collection. 

Kheox - an exclusive 

information portal for 

construction firms 

Acting on an initiative from the Moniteur Group, the leading news provider 

for the construction industry, AFNOR Publishing entered into a partnership to 

launch Kheox in September 2012, an online technical and regulatory information 

portal for construction professionals. 

What makes this online service especially innovative is how it provides extensive 

coverage of all construction topics and creates links between official texts 

(codes, regulations, orders, etc.), standards and their terms for implementation. 

Users can also leverage the standards and legislative intelligence feature, which 

keeps them clued into the latest developments in real time. Construction details, 

illustrations and summary diagrams also add to the available content. 

The power of words 

Standards are obviously what all of AFNOR Publishing's publications have in 

common. Authors strive to decipher, analyse and reflect how standards apply 

within organisations. Readers are given a wealth of advice, recommendations 

and knowledge for making best advantage of the added value inherent in 

standards. The essential reading list includes "Truly managing by quality" (Michel 

Bellaïche), "Ten keys for achieving QSE certification" (Claude Pinet), "ISO 26000, 

Social responsibility" (AFNOR collection) and many other works covering such 

topics as sustainable development, health and safety, and management. 

AFNOR Certification 

Over 60,000 certified sites in 

over 100 countries 

NF Product, Service and Ecolabels....... 270certified product 

and service categories 

Nearly 8,000 personnel certificates 

Over 20 accreditations*, approvals and endorsements in six 

geographic areas (six countries) 

*COFRAC accreditations no. 4-0001, 

no. 3-0738, no. 4-0057, no. 5-0030, 

no. 5-0071; UKAS accreditation no. 

04-0571; TUNAC accreditation; 

TAF accreditation; DAkkS accreditation; 

ACCREDIA endorsement. The scopes 

of accreditation are available on the 

following sites: www.cofrac.fr, 

www.accredia.it, www.ukas.com, 

www.tunac.tn, service.taftw.org.tw 

and www.dakks.de. 

32 standards and fields concerned 

Certification and 

assessment services 

and engineering 

Managing Director: 

Florence Méaux 

Deputy Managing Director: 

Philippe Rabut 



29





Business was good for AFNOR Certification in 2012, which cemented its leadership status in the certification sector 

by advising companies to invest in certification approaches meeting their strategic challenges and geared towards 

the new trends or issues shaping society. AFNOR Certification confirmed its role as a trailblazer in corporate social 

responsibility, with a 25% increase in this area alone. 

Giving small businesses a gateway to quality 

AFNOR Certification is launching a progressive method geared 

towards microbusinesses and SMEs, entitled AFAQ 9001 stepby-step. 

This method provides a practical three-step approach to 

certification. For companies with fewer than 50 employees, AFNOR 

Certification has gone further still by putting together a pack of tools 

to chart their way towards certification, ranging from hands-on training 

through to the provision of the "progressive quality" standard (released 

early 2012) and self-assessment with the OK Pilot tool. 

CSR and its models for assessing 

sustainable development 

Following their initial assessment, over 70% of the 200 companies 

assessed against AFAQ 26000 criteria expressed their desire 

to implement a true continual improvement approach towards 

sustainable development. Some decide to focus on an activity 

or a function within the company, such as purchasing or human 

resources. Companies are turning towards CSR as a marketing 

tool and a way of steering their internal operations. Such practices 

tend to show that their efforts are on the same wavelength as 

consumers' expectations. CSR can also galvanise an entire sector 

into action - landscaping firms are now treading in the footsteps of 

communication companies by pouncing upon the AFAQ assessment model. 

This trend has been confirmed with customer relations centres, and AFNOR 

Certification has been enlisted to carry out assessments for the highly esteemed 

ALRS (Association for the promotion and development of the customer relationship 

social responsability label) social responsibility hallmark. 

In 2012, a specific version of AFAQ 26000 was designed for local 

authorities. This AFAQ assessment model is based on ISO 26000, the first 

international standard to provide guidance on social responsibility and on the 

reference framework governing territorial sustainable development - the local 

Agenda 21. Offering an overarching review of the practices and commitments, 

this model provides a starting point for authoring the sustainable development 

report, which is mandatory for local authorities with over 50,000 inhabitants. 

Florence Méaux, Michel Sapin, Marisol Touraine, Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, Denis Morin, 

Claude Evin and Christian Dubosq 

The Diversity hallmark boasts 840,000 people 

While the European Commission has officially recognised the exemplary aims 

of the Diversity hallmark, France's independent broadcasting authority has 

submitted its annual report to parliament, in which it recommends rolling out the 

Diversity hallmark to encompass all television and radio operators. In October, 

five ministries and two regional health agencies were awarded the Diversity 

hallmark for their long-term commitment to fighting against discrimination. 

This achievement comes hot on the heels of the hallmark recently awarded to the 

financial ministries. 

In addition to the government's exemplary track record, organisations of all shapes 

and sizes are also looking to achieve the Diversity hallmark as a testament of their 

corporate policy. To date, 380 organisations with a total of 840,000 employees 

have received the hallmark in France. 

Industries leading the way 

The aviation, railway, food & drink, and healthcare & social welfare industries 

underwent dynamic growth in 2012. When an entire industry or union springs into 

action, virtuous and determining effects can be enjoyed by all member companies. 

Aviation - a successful transition for EN 9100:2009 

By deploying its certification system on a global scale (Asia, America and Europe), 

AFNOR Certification has brought its 800 customers up to speed on the new 

version of standards in the EN 9100 series before the January 2013 deadline. 

Published back in 2003, the previous version of the standard has been reinforced 

with requirements for aerospace manufacturers and a new audit approach based 

on process effectiveness. 

Food & drink 

High environmental value (HVE) is an endorsement system that has been 

identified as part of France's Grenelle environmental act. It aims to promote 

all farms that agree to curb the use of herbicides and fungicides. The scheme 

features three levels, the most demanding of which is HVE certification. AFNOR 

Certification has obtained accreditation from the National Committee on 

Environmental Certification (CNCE). 

Another major event of the year is AFNOR Certification's membership of the 

Certipaq Board of Directors - one of France's leading certification authorities for 

agricultural and food products. This move strengthens the partnership between 

both bodies based on an offering that combines systems certification with food 

quality hallmarks. 

Railway industry 

Deployment of IRIS certification has been extended to Quebec thanks to 

the partnership with the Bureau de Normalisation du Québec (BNQ). AFNOR 

Certification drew on its vast experience to qualify local auditors and issue the first 

series of certificates. 

Healthcare & social welfare 

The number of companies achieving the NF Service certification in 

"Personal Home Care Services" broke the 1,000 barrier in 2012. Recognised 

by professionals, users and public authorities, this scheme allows certified 

companies to automatically renew their accreditation. 

Social integration and temporary employment enterprises are dedicated to 

securing employment for people that have great difficulty in finding work. To focus 

the spotlight on the social values championed by such companies and their ability 

to lead by example, France's National Committee of Social Integration Enterprises 

called on AFNOR Certification to create the AFAQ EI/ETTI certification scheme. 

In 2012, 125 workshops were awarded the APP coaching label by AFNOR 

Certification. Lifelong learning represents a major challenge in today's world, 

and coaching workshops (APP) offer an effective solution by providing a venue for 

training with a broad array of teaching resources. Coaching professionals deliver 

support and guidance to adults pursuing an assisted self-learning programme. 

Over 300: that is the number of people that have been awarded certification 

for their skills in assessing social economy enterprises. This certification scheme 

offers an additional source of recognition for organisations in the social economy 

sector that are legally required to carry out internal and external assessments. 

In 2012, AFNOR Certification and certification body Certipharm are 

strengthening their cooperative ties in a bid to better serve drug and cosmetics 

firms, as well as professionals delivering services to such firms. The idea is to allow 

companies to more effectively meet the requirements of the ISO 9001 standard and 

also the specific requirements of the pharmaceutical industry through joint audits. 

Latest news on the NF mark 

The NF network – featuring AFNOR Certification, which oversees the NF 

mark certification system, and 12 organisations (AFCAB, ASCQUER, CEQUAMI, 

CERIB, CERQUAL, CERTIGAZ, CERTITA, CERTIVEA, CSTB, FCBA, LCIE and 

LNE) that are authorised to issue the NF mark in their respective areas of activity – 

signed a joint statement on 5 October 2012 to confirm its commitment to develop 

the NF mark. The NF mark is a distinctive quality hallmark recognised by 85% 

of the French population and is the premier certification mark for products and 

services in France. Construction products, buildings, extinguishers, furnishings, 

waste bags, electrical products, condoms, furniture… the NF mark is available 

for over 200 different categories to give professionals and consumers alike 

the possibility of identifying high-quality products. A product bearing the NF 

mark sends out a strong signal that it has passed a stringent list of technical 

requirements and inspection methods, thereby reassuring users and consumers. 

The NF mark is actually one of the most demanding quality hallmarks in Europe. 

The NF mark in figures 

• Six new NF marks launched: NF Extinguishing Agents, NF Driver 

Assistance Systems, NF Environment - Central Battery Lighting 

Systems (LCIE), NF Reinforced and Prestressed Concrete Beams 

for Block and Beam Floors (CERIB), NF PVC - ALU - FIBREGLASS 

Exterior Doors (CSTB), NF Metal Flues and Tubing (CERTITA) 

• 100,000 housing units awarded the NF Housing mark by CERQUAL 

• First companies awarded the NF Service - Customer Relations mark 

in Morocco and Mauritius 

• 210 firms awarded the NF Service & APSAD mark for installing and 

maintaining CCTV systems 




Events / success stories 


• 1,000th post office to achieve Service Commitment certification 

Blazing a trail since 1989 in certifying the performance of rapid 

microbiological test kits for food and water, AFNOR Certification 

has been pursuing its international development with nearly 130 kits 

certified according to the NF Validation mark. 20 companies have 

been awarded the mark, 50% of whom with foreign customers. 

In October, AFNOR Certification, the French Federation of Fire Safety 

Equipment (FFMI), GIFSID and Calyxis staged a colloquium in Paris on the 

"reliability of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors". The event underlined the 

importance of using products bearing the NF mark to effectively protect people 

and property. 

For the fifth year running, AFNOR Certification partnered the customer relations 

awards event held by AFRC (French Association of Customer Relations). The event 

focuses the spotlight on the NF Service - Customer Relations Centre mark. 

Other assessment and certification marks 

in the pipeline 

AFAQ ISO 22222 certification – personal financial 

planning, launched with the National Association of 

Financial Planners (Anacofi). International standard 

ISO 22222 builds on the regulations for consulting firms 

with a duty to inform and advise their customers. It 

defines the key points of the personal financial planning 

process and specifies ethical behaviour, competences 

and experience requirements for personal financial 

planners. Certification by an independent third-party 

organisation – AFNOR Certification – proves that 

financial planners are meeting their obligations. 

The Envol mark – a scheme for recognising the environmental commitments 

made by companies with fewer than 50 employees. The mark has been under 

development and in trial since 2009 by the network of chambers of commerce 

and industry, chambers of trades and environmental agency ADEME. Since June 

2012, the mark has been issued exclusively by AFNOR Certification. 

Management controllers are now recognised by the AFNOR Certification 

of Persons mark (in liaison with the DFCG - the Association of CFOs and 

Management Controllers). Assessment for this mark is carried out against the 

criteria of international standard ISO 17024, which guarantees the professionalism 

and code of conduct of all certified parties. 

• Over 250 opticians achieved certification 

• 150 "trusted sales advisers" received AFNOR Certification of persons 

• 900 sites certified according to the AFAQ 14001 step-by-step 

approach 

• Pierre Fabre laboratories assessed against AFAQ 26000 criteria 

worldwide and with over 10,000 people 

• First Lucie labels issued by AFNOR Certification 

Happenings in 2012 

In accordance with Article 225 of France's Grenelle II environmental act and 

taking effect as of 2012, listed companies (and soon corporations with revenue 

in excess of 100 million euros) are legally required to have the information in their 

CSR report verified by an accredited independent organisation, such as AFNOR 

Certification. 

The Ecophyto Plan 2018 spearheaded as part of the Grenelle environmental 

act aims to halve the use of pesticides at the national level within 10 years. 

All companies in the plant protection industry (whether distributing, using or 

consulting on plant protection products) must be accredited before 1 October 

2013. Accreditation will be awarded in the form of a certificate from an accredited 

certification body. Certification is based on the functions and missions of the 

teams, their level of skills and training, and the implementation of the company's 

plant protection activity. AFNOR Certification is a major player in this strategy. 

Renewed certification for property auditors. Certification was renewed 

after five years and represents a major event for AFNOR Certification's auditor 

customers, especially since public authorities have stepped up the level of skills 

required since 2007, including mandatory training for energy performance surveys. 

The EU Ecolabel celebrated its 20th birthday. Since 1992, the little 

flower logo has adorned packets of washing powder, paint pots, laptops, 

and more besides. No fewer than 26 product and service categories are 

concerned. 500 companies hold the label, which is issued in France exclusively 

by AFNOR Certification. 

Tourism professionals looking to satisfy the growing demand for socially responsible 

tourism are increasingly turning towards the green label, with 193 eco-labelled 

tourist accommodation providers (+ 47%) and 50 eco-labelled campsites (+ 72%). 

The EU Ecolabel is the only official green label that applies to all EU Member 

States. It is supported by France's Ministry for Sustainable Development and 

environmental agency ADEME. 

AFNOR Competencies 

Training and consulting 

Managing Director: Pascal Prévost 

340 training products 

11,000 trainees 

2 training centres: Paris and Lyon 

98.6% satisfaction rate 



33

AFNOR Competencies 



Subsidiaries’ AFNOR activities 

Competencies 

AFNOR Competencies weathered the economic storm by achieving growth in 2012, although the training market did 

not emerge unscathed. Revenue increased by nearly 7%. 

AFNOR International 

One of the solutions driving growth in 2012 was the range of support services 

for setting up accreditation according to the ISO 15189 standard 

in all (public and private) medical biology laboratories in France, which proved 

tremendously successful, including the "AFNOR Forum" conference, the release 

of the ISO 15189 e-learning scheme, and consulting and guidance missions. 

In terms of educational investments, AFNOR Competencies bolstered its 

policy of forging partnerships with institutes of higher education and universities, 

and now offers a diversified range of training courses leading to the following 

qualifications: 

Two BADGE diplomas (assessment of skills issued by institutes of higher 

education) on EHS risks (environment, health and safety) with higher education 

establishment École des Mines ParisTech. 

Two BADGE diplomas in corporate social responsibility with higher education 

establishment Sup de Co La Rochelle. 

1 BADGE diploma in industrial metrology with higher education establishment 

École des Mines de Douai. 

1 postgraduate diploma in measurement systems and metrology with École 

des Mines de Douai. 

1 postgraduate diploma in quality-oriented management with the Bordeaux 

management school. 

1 university diploma for quality auditors in medical biology with Paris 

Descartes University. 

In 2012, AFNOR Competencies also strengthened its "Superior customer 

satisfaction" policy. 

Actions are being ramped up in a number of areas, especially teaching, design, 

telephone call handling and leadership quality. 

These efforts have produced results, with increased customer satisfaction, 

recognised training delivery quality and superior programme quality. 

The complaints handling process has not been left in the sidelines, with a onestop 

shop for receiving and dealing with customer grievances. 

At the same time, extended enterprise AFNOR Competencies continued driving 

and building on its community of trainers, while reinforcing relations with 

its partners through a more frequent and structured communication strategy 

for reaching out to the dozens of facilitators empowered to run its training modules. 

In 2012, AFNOR Competencies took its internal organisational structure back to 

the drawing board in a move to power its development and particularly strengthened 

and restructured its sales teams to deliver the best-fit solutions 

to its customers' needs. 

International certification, 

assessment and training 

11,200 certificates issued 

in 2012 

3,000 people enrolled in training 

around the world 

28 locations worldwide 

Director: Myriam Augereau-Landais 

Some of the tools developed in 2012 

West Africa, Algeria, Germany, Bulgaria, Canada, China, 

Korea, United States, France, Mauritius, India, Indonesia, Iran, 

Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Mexico, Pakistan, 

Romania, United Kingdom, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, 

Turkey, Vietnam 


AFNOR International 


Representatives of the 

international network 

AFNOR UK celebrated its 20th birthday in 2012: one of the first 

overseas subsidiaries that the AFNOR Group opened is AFNOR UK, which has 

gone on to carve itself a strong foothold in the British certification market by 

offering a broad range of services and developing its presence in the international 

arena. The subsidiary's first preferred sectors were electricity and the nuclear 

industry. AFNOR UK has since branched out into aviation and transport, technical 

distance learning for the energy industry and services certification. It currently 

performs 20% of its activities in Asia. 

The network presently shows no signs of letting up around 

the world, with over 300 employees, 28 locations, 5 certification bodies 

(France, Tunisia, United Kingdom, Germany and Taiwan) and 7 training centres, 

with leadership status in the certification sector in West Africa, Tunisia and Taiwan. 

In 2012, training underwent major growth, representing over 13% of the 

Group's international activities. 

In 2012, AFNOR International decided to step up its presence in the Middle 

East (Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, 

and so on) and therefore created AFNOR Middle East, which used to be a 

Lebanese agency. 

Our German subsidiary GUTcert, the leading certification services provider in 

the environmental and energy sectors, achieved Dakks accreditation for 

ISO 50001 – energy management systems. Ninety 50001 certificates were 

issued in 2012, including for ArcelorMittal in Germany. DAkkS accreditation 

enabled the Russian and British subsidiaries to certify Schneider Electric in the UK 

and Inter Rao (second largest electricity group) in Russia. 

Railway certification also proved to be a fast-expanding sector 

through the IRIS (International Railway Industry Standard), an international 

standard inspired by ISO 9001 and featuring a set of requirements specific to 

the railway industry. In China, for example, twice as many IRIS certificates were 

issued in 2012 as in 2011. Russia, with its strong network of resources, has also 

experienced strong development in this area. 

Another sector to hit the fast lane in China is the motor industry, based on 

the ISO/TS 16949 specification for quality management systems, 

which describes the particular requirements for the application of quality 

(ISO 9001:2008) for automotive production and relevant service part organisations. 

The international network is highly active in standards governing quality, 

environmental and sustainable development management systems, and delivers 

certification services to many overseas subsidiaries of major French groups, 

such as AFNOR Maroc which provided ISO 9001 certification to 

TOTAL Maroc for its "lubricants" activity. 

Relations are also forged with France when foreign companies discover the 

country's best practices. For instance, in October 2012, AFNOR Russia 

accompanied by a Russian delegation featuring Russia's largest bank, the 

University of Mordovia, a gas company from Kazakhstan and a construction firm, 

encountered a number of businesses in the Gironde region, such as Cofely, Saft, 

Chateau la Rose Trintaudon, La Poste and Véolia, all of which have achieved 

certification in sustainable development, social responsibility and innovation. 

In terms of accreditation, three accreditation bodies and subsidiaries in 

Tunisia, the United Kingdom and Taiwan successfully upgraded 

to version 2011 of ISO 17021-2011 

accreditation, a standard that defines new 

requirements for bodies providing audit and 

certification of management systems. 

Yacine Herireche, 

new Director of the Algerian subsidiary 

Life of the association 

Legal organisation as at 31 December 2012 

AFNOR 

Registered not-for-profit organisation 

Coordination 

Finance Division, Human Resources Division, Legal 

Department, IT Department, Corporate Services 

Department 

100 % 

AFNOR Development (simplified limited company) 

Coordination 

Quality, Purchasing, Communication, Marketing, 

Skills & Expertise Management, Research & Development, 

Regional Offices (13 branches), International Network 

Standardisation 

Professional documentation and information services 

Institutional affairs & international cooperation 

Membership 

100 % 

100 % 

100 % 

AFNOR Certification (simplified limited company) 

Certification & Assessment 

AFNOR Competencies (simplified limited company) 

Training & Consulting 

AFNOR International (simplified limited company) 

International network 



37



AFNOR throughout France in 2012 

Montpellier, Marseille, Nantes, Rennes, Strasbourg, Lyon, Nancy, Paris, Orléans, 

Rouen, Lille, Limoges, Bordeaux, Toulouse… the 13 regional delegations bear 

testament to the AFNOR Group's determination to push back the boundaries of 

its core businesses and professional experience in order to assert itself as a fullyfledged 

socio-economic player. 

Drawing on their insight into the challenges facing their respective regions, 

AFNOR's teams are particularly responsible for responding to collective needs 

by supporting companies and local authorities with their projects 

through standards-based solutions. 220 introductory workshops were 

held to alert private and public organisations (nearly 8,000 participants in 2012) to 

the main challenges in their regions using the same approach every time, namely 

by taking an objective look at a topical issue relating to their sector of business 

during a select meeting in order to share practices and, as a bonus, shed light on 

the feedback received from other local players. 

Leaving no stone unturned, AFNOR's teams also lent their support to companies 

when trialling standards. Regional authorities, government agencies DIRECCTE, 

DREAL and ADEME, consular networks, business clusters, CARSAT and many other 

central economic players pledged their support and skills to fuel groundbreaking 

collective initiatives and thereby allow companies to sharpen their strategies and 

practices accordingly. 

In the environmental labelling sector, 31 furnishings, textiles and 

footwear companies in the Alsace and Lorraine regions shared their feedback 

with best practice guides created by professionals for professionals. In the Rhône- 

Alpes region, 25 companies with a mature health, safety, environmental 

and labour relations policy began sharing their practices with other 

companies looking to achieve progress. 

In an effort to achieve a competitive advantage, 10 Burgundy-based timber 

companies trialled the Lean approach to raise the bar on their organisational 

and economic performance. The food & drink sector in Aquitaine also tried out a 

Responsible Lean approach promoting superior working conditions. 

Companies are increasingly adopting the ISO 26000 standard and giving greater 

structure to their social responsibility strategies. 20 SMEs in the Rhône- 

Alpes region have taken the plunge. The Centre region has also seen two 

similar trials - one featuring 15 companies from every sector of activity, and the 

other comprising 10 food & drink manufacturers. In Aquitaine and Midi-Pyrénées, 

the regional ISO 26000 fora attracted around 30 participants. Responsible 

purchasing is attracting ever greater interest, such as in Rhône-Alpes, where five 

businesses have launched an initiative to bring their supplier risks under control. 

Ahead of talks on the concept of energy transition, 12 companies in Normandy 

have pushed the envelope by brainstorming a methodological approach to energy 

management in line with ISO 50001. In the Midi-Pyrénées region, the mechanical 

engineering sector has sprung into action, where 20 SMEs will be shown how to 

implement an energy management system 

AFNOR Purchasing Solutions 

The AFNOR Group offers a multitude of services 

to meet the ever growing needs voiced by the 

"buyers" community. Standards 

represent a special tool for assessing 

or identifying products and services 

that meet those requirements. 

Certification services for quality and 

environmental management systems 

are increasingly in demand. Audit and 

assessment services can help foster 

secure relations with suppliers and 

improve the quality of the purchasing 

process (second-party audits, process 

validation, ethical and environmental 

criteria, and so on). Furthermore, 

purchasing can play a special role 

in developing the company's social 

responsibility strategies, especially 

through its power to influence 

suppliers. To give its solutions 

greater clarity and a higher 

profile, AFNOR has gone 

for an AFNOR Purchasing 

Solutions banner. 

In December 2012, the Achat Concept Eco 

company became a wholly-owned AFNOR 

subsidiary. During the financial year, 

it considerably upgraded its tools, including 

ACESIA, its supplier CSR assessment 

platform, which presently covers over 130 

purchasing families. The investments made 

in 2012 allowed the platform to be used for 

other purposes, such as staging the PACA 

CSR Awards by the Regional Council and 

the Economic and Social Council, the EnVol 

label by AFNOR Certification… In addition to 

its tools, Achat Concept Eco delivers a highly 

operational range of training services. These 

practical programmes feature a series of 

case studies tailored to the different types of 

purchasing, which are currently incorporated 

into AFNOR Competencies' training courses. 

Some EFQM winners 

EFQM for promoting managerial excellence 

AFNOR is EFQM's official representative in France. The EFQM excellence model 

for quality management has already been adopted by 30,000 companies in 

Europe. In March 2012, AFNOR awarded 33 French companies for 

achieving excellence. The EFQM approach was also given centre stage at 

the 20th French Quality Awards ceremony. This annual event is held under the 

auspices of the Ministry for the Economy, Finance and Industry, and serves to 

reward and promote any organisation aiming to achieve superior performance 

through an EFQM-inspired quality strategy. 

Partnership with Generali 

On Wednesday, 27 June 2012, Olivier Peyrat and Thomas Saunier, CEO of 

Generali, signed a cooperation agreement binding their companies 

to promote management systems standards and certification 

as an effective tool for preventing risks. The agreement will also help 

companies receiving support from Generali for their CSR approach to incorporate 

ISO 26000 (promotion of corporate social responsibility) and ISO 31000 (risk 

management) into their business strategy and corporate governance. 

"This partnership reflects our ambition of giving our policyholders the most 

sophisticated tools in terms of corporate social responsibility and risk prevention," 

explained Thomas Saunier, CEO of Generali. 

The AFNOR Group, a major player in the public 

services sector, launches a survey into visitor 

reception quality in town halls 

User relations quality is a major issue and starts with reception - the visible face of 

municipal public services. In 2012, the AFNOR Group produced an initial review 

of visitor reception and service quality in French cities with over 10,000 inhabitants. 

Mystery citizens tried out local government services in over 80 voluntary cities, 

including greeting on the telephone and in person, office accessibility and 

cleanliness, attention and availability of employees, handling of complaints, ease 

of administrative formalities… mainly focusing on reception and the registry office. 

With their consent, the highest-scoring cities received the AFNOR Award for 

Reception & User Relations Quality during the inaugural National Meets 

organised on the topic by Idéal Connaissances in June 2012 in Nantes. 

Driven by the scheme's initial success and spurred on by the first cities taking 

part, the AFNOR Group will be repeating the survey and is currently inviting cities 

with over 5,000 inhabitants and municipal associations to take part. 

Standards and teaching 

Standardisation and certification are just some of the concepts that are sometimes 

unfamiliar to students. 

Agreements have been brokered to develop education on standardisation, 

standards and certification and thereby broaden students' skills and improve 

their employability, such as with Strasbourg Management School, Bordeaux 

BEM Business School, École Nationale des Ingénieurs de Metz, ESC de Rennes, 

ESC de Toulouse, ENS Cachan, Lyon International School of Business and 

Development, and IAE La Réunion. 

These actions are in line with the dynamic strategy launched in 2008 aimed 

at creating partnerships with the Ministry of Education (3,000 establishments 

concerned), the Assembly of Technical Institute Directors (115 institutes concerned) 

and the Conference of Higher Education Establishments (230 establishments 

concerned). Education on standardisation has grown strongly ever since, thanks 

to the creation of a network featuring close to 1,500 duly trained teachers with 

access to a range of teaching aids on the www.enseignants.afnor.org website 

(4,300 registered users to date). Close to 400 establishments also have 

access to French and international standards at preferential 

prices via the SagaWeb Education service. 




Third edition of the Or Normes ceremony 

Class of 2012 

On 20 June at the Petit Palais following AFNOR's general meeting, 11 key figures 

joined the "Or Normes" community. Every year, this ceremony pays tribute to 

people that have dedicated their time, energy and influence to AFNOR in a bid to 

develop standards-based solutions. 

The "Organisational Performance" Chair with Paris 

Dauphine University. 

The Chair was launched in March 2012 and features 12 researchers and 5 PhD / 

postgraduate students working to measure how management systems (ISO 9001, 

ISO 14001…) affect company operations and performance. 

On 25 June, the Chair staged its first "international workshop" at Paris Dauphine 

University and was attended by such key figures as Charles Corbet and Magali 

Delmas from the University of California (UCLA), Nicole Danall from the University 

of Arizona (ASU) and Michael Toffel from Harvard Business School. 

The first international academic papers have been published. 

In September 2012, the first research paper was published on ISO 9001 and 

innovation, which concerns the research project "From quality to innovation: 

evidence from a French employer survey", by Dr Sanja Pekovic. This empirical 

analysis of French corporate data highlighted the fact that implementing an ISO 

9001-based quality approach creates a breeding ground for innovation. 

A second paper was published in December 2012. The study pioneered by Magali 

Delmas, an environmental economist at the UCLA Institute of the Environment and 

Sustainability, and Sanja Pekovic, a researcher associated with the Chair, focused 

on a sample group of 4,929 French company employees. The study revealed 

that employees working in companies adopting environmental 

standards, such as ISO 14001, are 16% more productive than 

the average. 

External communication 

Standards continue to be a relevant topic in the press. Whether specialised press 

or online media, the topics that filled the most newspaper columns in 2012 were 

the draft standard on consumer reviews, the standard on responsible purchasing, 

the standard on green engineering and ecolabels. 46% of interview requests 

concerned standardisation. 

The AFNOR portal with its 100,000 monthly visits represents an important 

news source. 25 news articles were covered every month in 2012, 35% of which 

on standardisation. 

Viadeo, Twitter, Qualiléo… AFNOR has been present on social networking 

sites for over two years. This new dynamic form of communication allows the 

Group to reach out to people who are unaware of its activities and respond to 

critical parties. 

Olivier Peyrat and Laurent Batsch, 

Vice-Chancellor of Paris Dauphine 

University, inaugurate the 

Organisational Performance Chair. 

IT infrastructures 

AFNOR's information system is consistently designed to provide simplicity to end 

users and generate ever more added value to the service proposed. Standards 

in HTML format, customised and bespoke collections of standards, user-defined 

selections of standards and regulations on a specific subject… just some of the 

technological innovations for ensuring easy access to standards and other legal 

documents. AFNOR's Information Systems Department also goes to great lengths 

to ensure that all IT tools created are compatible with its national and international 

partners (electronic committees). In 2012, the back-office projects initiated in 

2010/2011 culminated in the launch of the new certification management 

tool and the new accounting and financial management system, 

the latter of which has helped improve the internal control process, especially in 

the purchasing field with a corresponding organisation for dealing with expenses. 

Management of external skills 

and expertise 

1,575 auditors, including 

• 695 abroad 

• 200 trainers 

• 369 authors 

played a key role in AFNOR's activity in 2012. 

The community of auditors continues to grow and 

strengthen: 

• +2% in France 

• +5% abroad 

AFNOR offers an increasingly wide range of skills 

in response to the constantly changing face of the 

market. At the time of going to press, 34,500 skills 

are available (+14%), all of which validated by 

certification experts and managed within the Group's 

Expertise & External Competences Management 

Department (DGECE). 

Quality policy 

In 2012, the Group updated its new quality policy. Since the quality 

approaches in the Group are at different levels of maturity - with some entities 

going as far as external recognition of their management system, such as 

ISO 9001 certification for standardisation, EFQM for training, without forgetting 

accreditation for certification - senior management was keen to inject a higher 

level of consistency and define a common set of major goals: 

Adopt a concerted approach towards the customer. 

Pursue the process-driven approaches while incorporating risk control and the 

quest for effectiveness. 

Improve customer and partner intimacy, while sensing and satisfying 

their needs. 

Drive our continual improvement strategy. 

Risk control represents a key component of the Group's policy and serves as a 

way of anticipating version 2015 of ISO 9001, which will take account of risks 

and risk management. Customer focus has again been prioritised, with 

satisfaction standing as one of the challenges. Since 2010, the Group's 

four core businesses have been measuring customer recommendations with the 

MPC indicator, which delivers an insight into our customers' loyalty. This indicator 

has been incorporated into the objectives within the Group quality policy. The 

MPC indicator is associated with the customer satisfaction metric and provides 

essential information for differentiation and improvement. Furthermore, the Group 

has ramped up its process for analysing complaints, and this criterion is now one 

of the management indicators used by senior management. 

All the quality functional areas are rallying to the Group's Quality Organisation 

Department in organising the policy's deployment. Everyone will be able to 

define or review their processes and indicators to reflect the specific nature of 

their business. The defined principles also apply to the enterprise-wide functions, 

which act as true service providers. 


Changes within the Executive Committee 

Executive Committee as at 31 December 2012 

After seven years at the helm of AFNOR International, Florence Nicolas 

expressed her wish in April 2012 to refocus on her corporate role 

within AFNOR and therefore decided to resign from her position as 

Managing Director of AFNOR International. Responsibility for AFNOR 

International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AFNOR Development which 

holds equity shares in the AFNOR Group's international subsidiaries, 

has been entrusted to Myriam Augereau-Landais. 

In March 2013, Myriam Augereau-Landais joined the Executive 

Committee to reflect the growing economic importance of the Group's 

international activities, which need to be driven in synergy with the 

Group's other entities. 

Myriam Augereau-Landais 

Oliver Peyrat, 

Chief Executive Officer 

Sophie Marain, 

Secretary-General 

Vincent Gillet, Alain Costes, Isabelle Rimbert, Isabelle Sitbon, 

Deputy Secretary-General Director of AFNOR Standardisation Deputy Director of Director of AFNOR Publishing 

AFNOR Standardisation 

Myriam Augereau-Landais has built her 

career upon international relations. 

For over 10 years, she has been helping 

French SMEs export and develop in 

overseas markets, particularly Asia. 

She honed her skills at Ubifrance, 

the agency for international business 

development, as international department 

head and subsequently assistant marketing 

and sales manager. 

Pascal Prévost, 

Managing Director of AFNOR Competencies 

Florence Méaux, 

Managing Director of AFNOR Certification 

Philippe Rabut, 

Deputy Managing Director of 


Laurence Breton-Kueny, 

Chief Human Resources Officer 

Jean Philippe Suzanna, 

Chief Financial Officer 

She joined AFNOR in 2006 as international 

network manager. She quickly generated 

growth for the Group's certification 

and training activities abroad, including 

deployment of the business development 

teams, a larger number of international 

offices and, as an added bonus, results in 

recovery. In April 2012, Myriam Augereau- 

Landais took over as Managing Director of 

AFNOR International. 


Income statements 

Responsible and sustainable 

AFNOR Association Income Statement 

INCOME STATEMENT (in thousands of euros) 31/12/12 31/12/11 

Operating income 

Sales 25 651 24 954 

Services 29 319 30 668 

Contributions 2 778 2 859 

Revenue 57 748 58 481 

Capitalised production costs 4 245 4 096 

Operating subsidies 9 578 11 535 

Write-back on provisions and other revenue 2 048 2 048 

TOTAL I 73 619 76 160 

Operating expenses 

Purchases and external services 25 415 26 357 

Taxes and similar duties 3 228 2 883 

Payroll and social contributions 32 017 31 368 

Depreciation and impairment losses 8 784 8 688 

Other expenses 5 124 5 532 

TOTAL II 74 568 74 828 

1. Operating result (I-II) -949 1 332 

2. Financial result 1 144 870 

3. Pre-tax operating result (1+2) 195 2 202 

4. Extraordinary profit or loss 17 -1 357 

TOTAL REVENUE 75 847 77 828 

TOTAL EXPENSES 75 637 76 984 

Pre-tax result (3+4) 210 844 

Corporate income tax and employee profit sharing 125 682 

NET INCOME 85 162 

AFNOR Group (consolidated accounts) 

INCOME STATEMENT (in thousands of euros) 31/12/12 31/12/11 

Operating income 

Sales 25 448 24 811 

Services 106 189 102 185 

Contributions 2 778 2 859 

Revenue 134 415 129 855 

Capitalised production costs 4 245 4 096 

Operating subsidies 9 578 11 535 

Write-back on provisions and other revenue 1 896 1 987 

TOTAL I 150 134 147 473 

Operating expenses 

Purchases and external services 61 947 61 413 

Taxes and similar duties 5 339 4 898 

Payroll and social contributions 66 820 63 572 

Depreciation and impairment losses 9 869 9 840 

Other expenses 6 121 6 084 

TOTAL II 150 096 145 807 

1. Operating result (I-II) 38 1 666 

2. Financial result 1 499 1 366 

3. Pre-tax operating result (1+2) 1 537 3 022 

4. Extraordinary profit or loss 257 -1 233 

TOTAL REVENUE 153 316 150 128 

TOTAL EXPENSES 151 522 148 329 

Pre-tax result (3+4) 1 794 1 799 

Corporate income tax and employee profit sharing 1 356 1 179 

NET INCOME 438 620 

All data relate to employees working in France 

64.63% 

Breakdown 

Women 

34.96% 

Breakdown by age 

1.56% 

over 60 

1,200 employees, including 300 abroad 

35.37% 

Men 

17.53 % 

under 30 

46-60 

45.95% 

30-45 

Breakdown by category 

53% 

Executives 

38.50% 

Employees 

8.5% 

Management level 

Breakdown by SENIORITY 

35.68% 

less than 5 years 

33.61% 

between 5 and 15 years 

30.71% 

over 15 years 

The AFNOR Group firmly believes in abiding 

by the same rules of socially-responsible 

conduct as those that it recommends 

in its different relations, whether social, 

economic or environmental. The sustainable 

development policy launched in 2009 outlines 

the improvement strategies that the Group 

has decided to adopt in response to three 

fundamental challenges: 

Contribute to the quality of professional life 

Strengthen the Group's regional presence 

Take action to protect the environment 




Contribute to the quality of professional life 

Strengthen regional presence 

Management practices 

Workshops with managers 

Every year, workshops are organised to train managers on the latest HR policies, 

best practices, agreements signed and social news. On average, half of all 

managers attend the workshops, which are designed to improve their skills on 

new subjects and share feedback. 

Employee feedback survey 

A number of actions were implemented in 2012 in response to the improvements 

that were requested in 2011 following the survey's publication. For instance, 

training courses were given to Executive Committee members, managers, 

executive assistants and departmental assistants. Assistants act as liaisons 

for the employees in the teams and provide support to management, so it was 

important for them to be trained in the same manner as employee representatives. 

Review of the health and wellness policy 

For the second year running, the AFNOR Group reviewed its health and 

wellness policy. The review examined what progress had been made on the 

four items covered by the health and wellness committee inspired since 2010 

by the Quebec standard "Prevention, promotion and organisational practices 

for health in the workplace": employee habits, work-personal life balance, 

work environment and management practices. 

Policy promoting the employment of disabled workers 

A second three-year agreement was signed with all trade unions on 18 April 

2012. The agreement was ratified by the Departmental Committee for Employment 

and Vocational Integration in September 2012. The first agreement (2009 to 2011) 

helped increase the employment rate from 1.23% to 2.6% (company average 

in France). 

The second agreement factors in the Group's economic outlook (in terms of 

feasibility and constraints) and features the same objective as the first agreement, 

namely the recruitment of disabled people, and pursues the aim of developing 

the recognition and status of disabled workers in the Group. The initial actions 

implemented upon receiving official approval have focused on providing individual 

support in an effort to promote employability and recruitment by subscribing to a 

specialised recruitment site. 

Continuation of the "volunteer leave" agreement 

Since 2010, AFNOR has been working in partnership with Planète Urgence to 

fund three volunteer leaves a year. Missions in 2012 concerned: 

First-aid training for guides at a national park in Madagascar. Two skilled and 

qualified Group employees, including a Red Cross instructor, provided the training. 

Educational support on French reading and oral skills in Cameroonian schools. 

Work environment 

Occasional teleworking 

The results of the 15-month trial proved conclusive, with 187 employees registered 

on the portal and 91 instances of the arrangement being used. The positive 

results encouraged management to offer trade unions the prospect of renewing 

the arrangement for 10 days a year over a three-year period. 

Workplace Planning scheme 

The HR information system made available to the entire workforce in 

2011 gave employees and their managers a much easier way of tracking 

career development. 

In an effort to promote internal mobility, which represented 30% of permanent 

contract hires in 2012, all employees can post their professional experience by 

filling in their "career path", which can instantly be seen by senior management, 

their direct managers and the Human Resources Division. 

The onboarding plans for new hires and promotions are now an integral part of 

the system, allowing users to keep regular tabs on the different stages in the plan 

and assess their integration. 

The number of annual appraisals carried out within the Group using the HR 

information system in 2012 was on the up, representing 69.55%. 

In 2012, 80.38% of the workforce received training, i.e. 2,322 courses 

were attended, mainly concerning changes to the information systems developed 

within the Group (Qualiac/finance, purchasing - Oscar/certification software, 

and so on), business services and management. 

Revision of the master risk assessment (DUER) 

Work on revising the master risk assessment (DUER) began in 2011 and continued 

into 2012 with members of the OH&S Committee. To support the OH&S Committee 

in its advisory role to the Health Committee and its prerogatives in preventing 

psychosocial risks, a training course was designed and held in October 2012. The 

aim is to give committee members a clear understanding of all the aspects 

relating to the challenge of preventing stress and leading actions to 

improve quality of life in the workplace. The work pioneered by the Health 

Committee, which includes two designated members from the OH&S Committee, 

will help identify new indicators for inclusion into the master risk assessment for 

tracking or detecting risks that could increase or cause stress, and for pinpointing 

and assessing initiatives to prevent stress and consequently minimise the number 

of stress factors. 

Recruitment 2012.............................................................270 

under-25s............................................................................................... 13.33% 

over-45s......................................................................................................1.85% 

from Seine-Saint-Denis..........................................................................10% 

Inter-enterprise travel plan (PDIE) 

Access to the Plaine Saint-Denis business district is a major challenge for both 

local economic players and local authorities. Mobility is a vital element, not only for 

AFNOR's employees but also for its visitors – all 45,000 of them in 2012. 

Under the auspices of the Paris Seine-Saint-Denis Chamber of Commerce and 

Industry, and in partnership with the Plaine Commune community of towns, 

Plaine Commune Promotion and the Île-de-France regional health insurance fund, 

seven companies (including AFNOR) signed the charter on the inter-enterprise 

travel plan on 11 July 2012. Each company signing the charter agrees to 

produce a travel plan for its own employees, and the results will be shared 

to assist a focus group with its survey on travel featuring a component on the 

prevention of road risks. 

Our Districts Have Got Talent 

AFNOR has been a partner to the NQT Association (Our Districts Have Got Talent) 

since its inception in 2005 and began sponsoring its activities in 2008. In 2012, 

40 AFNOR employees (from head office and the regional offices) agreed to 

sponsor young postgraduates. Since the initiative started, 369 postgraduates 

have been sponsored by the Group's employees, and over 50% have found a job 

matching their skills. 



Take action to protect the environment 

Electricity use at head office 

4,300,512 kWh 

down 10.35% on 2011 

Gas use at head office 

74,568 m 3 

down 20.95% on 2011 

The Group's continued efforts at controlling air 

conditioning and heating produced significant 

results. In addition, the Group's policy of regularly 

replacing computers, office hardware, servers, 

and so on, ensures that employees have access to a 

modern, less energy-intensive IT infrastructure. 

Water use at head office 

6,406 m 3 

down 6.52% on 2011 

Increased vigilance and monitoring of any 

leaks continues to curb water use. 

Rainwater harvesting for sanitary 

facilities and watering 

276 m 3 up 57.6% on 2011 

Marketing and 

sales documents 

60.9 tons 

down 6.31% on 2011 

Electricity use in the 

13 regional delegations 

242,821 kWh 

up 10.96% on 2011 

Since regional offices are often leased or 

co-owned in an office building, AFNOR has very 

little control over their use of resources. 

Paper (EcoFolio) 

Paper for office use 

and photocopying 

33.6 tons 

down 32.8% on 2011 

Appropriately configured photocopiers (limitation, duplex 

printing, etc.), regular awareness-raising for employees and 

the publication of printer use statistics for each department 

are producing results. 

Updated carbon footprint 

for 2011 

Carbon footprint MTCDE (total)........................10,329.94 

stable compared to 2010 

Carbon footprint MTCDE 

(not including travel).........................................................2,843.04 

down 1.93% 

The efforts made at reducing the Group's carbon footprint, 

especially curbing energy use, are reflected in the figures. 

However, instead of resting on its laurels, the Group must 

continue spearheading a series of underlying actions to produce 

a real improvement in the years to come. 

Carbon footprint MTCDE (travel).............................7,486.90 

up 0.9% 

CO 2 

emissions relating to travel are up slightly. This trend 

can be attributed to the Group's high levels of international 

development and involvement in a larger number of missions 

overseas (audits, training, consulting, etc.) through its experts. 

Nevertheless, the trend is under control thanks to a travel policy 

that encourages train travel. 

AFNOR Group's regional presence 

Alsace - Lorraine - Burgundy Delegation 

14, rue du Saulnois - 54520 Laxou 

Tel. : + 33 (0) 3 83 86 52 92 

Fax: + 33 (0) 1 49 17 93 54 

delegation.nancy@afnor.org 

Regional representative: Pascal Thomas 

Aquitaine Delegation 

2, Impasse Rudolf Diésel - 33700 Mérignac 

Tel. : + 33 (0) 5 57 29 14 33 

Fax: + 33 (0) 1 49 17 93 47 

delegation.bordeaux@afnor.org 

Regional representative: Stéphane Mathieu 

Brittany Delegation 

1, rue des Cormiers - Parc d’activités d’Apigné 

CS 95101 - 35651 Le Rheu Cedex 

Tel. : + 33 (0) 2 99 14 67 71 

Fax: + 33 (0) 1 49 17 93 52 

delegation.rennes@afnor.org 

Regional representative: Claude Girard 

Centre Delegation 

La Maison des entreprises 

14, boulevard Rocheplatte - 45000 Orléans 

Tel. : + 33 (0) 2 38 78 19 61 

Fax: + 33 (0) 1 49 17 93 45 

delegation.orleans@afnor.org 

Regional representative: Christian Le Diouron 

Île-de-France 

Champagne-Ardenne Delegation 

11, rue Francis de Pressensé 

93571 La Plaine Saint-Denis Cedex 

Tel. : + 33 (0) 1 41 62 80 05 

Fax: + 33 (0) 1 49 17 90 00 

region.iledefrance@afnor.org 

Regional representative: Christian Le Diouron 

Languedoc-Roussillon Delegation 

Immeuble Les Latitudes Nord 

770, Av. Alfred Sauvy - 34470 Perols 

Tel. : + 33 (0) 4 99 52 24 00 

Fax: + 33 (0) 1 49 17 93 53 

delegation.montpellier@afnor.org 

Regional representative: Christine Sorli 

Limousin - Poitou-Charentes Delegation 

ESTER Technopole - 1, avenue d’Ester 

87069 Limoges Cedex 

Tel. : + 33 (0) 5 55 04 12 66 

Fax: + 33 (0) 1 49 17 93 87 

delegation.limoges@afnor.org 

Regional representative: Catherine Pauliat 

Midi-Pyrénées Delegation 

Immeuble Diapason, Bât. A 

Rue Jean Bart - BP 87484 - 31674 Labège Cedex 

Tél. : + 33 (0) 5 61 39 76 76 

Fax: + 33 (0) 1 49 17 93 48 

delegation.toulouse@afnor.org 

Regional representative: Patrice Garcia 

Normandy Delegation 

4, rue Fontenelle - 76000 Rouen 

Tel. : + 33 (0) 2 32 76 07 48 

Fax: + 33 (0) 1 49 17 93 76 

delegation.rouen@afnor.org 

Regional representative: Stéphane Jagu 

Nord - Pas de Calais - Picardie Delegation 

Château Rouge 282, avenue de la Marne 

59708 Marcq-en-Baroeul Cedex 

Tel. : + 33 (0) 3 20 82 59 00 

Fax: + 33 (0) 1 49 17 91 06 

delegation.lille@afnor.org 

Regional representative: Valérie Ravez 

Pays-de-la-Loire Delegation 

1, rue Célestin Freinet Bât. A - Nord 

44200 Nantes 

Tel. : + 33 (0) 2 40 44 44 00 

Fax: + 33 (0) 1 49 17 93 44 

delegation.nantes@afnor.org 

Regional representative: Thierry Cureau 

Provence - Alpes - 

Côte d’Azur - Corsica Delegation 

141, avenue du Prado, Bât. B 

13417 Marseille Cedex 08 

Tel. : + 33 (0) 4 96 19 13 00 

Fax: + 33 (0) 1 49 17 93 12 

delegation.marseille@afnor.org 

Regional representative: Catherine Scherrer 

Rhône-Alpes - Auvergne - 

Franche-Comté Delegation 

Immeuble M + M177, rue Garibaldi 69428 Lyon 

Cedex 03 

Tel. : + 33 (0) 4 72 61 69 00 

Fax: + 33 (0) 1 49 17 93 69 

delegation.lyon@afnor.org 

Regional representative: Olivier Constant 

13 

delegations 

48 AFNOR Association Annual Report 2012

AFNOR Group abroad 

West Africa 

www.ao.afnor.org 

Algeria 

www.dz.afnor.org 

Germany 

www.gut-cert.de 

Bulgaria 

www.afnor.bg 

Canada 

international-network@afnor.org 

China 

www.afnor.cn 

www.asia.afnor.org 

Korea 

www.kr.afnor.org 

United States 


India 

www.dqsindia.com 

Indonesia 

www.id.afnor.org 

Iran 

www.ir.afnor.org 

Italy 

www.afnor.it 

Japan 

www.jp.afnor.org 

Lebanon 

www.lb.afnor.org 

Malaysia 

www.afnor.com.my 

Morocco 

www.afnor.ma 

Mauritius 

www.afnor.mu 

Mexico 


Pakistan 

www.afnor.com.pk 

Romania 

www.afnor.ro 

United Kingdom 

www.afnor.co.uk 

Russia 

www.afnor.ru 

Taiwan 

subsidiary: www.asia.afnor.org 

distributor: www.afnor.com.tw 

28 locations 

Thailand 

www.th.afnor.org 

Tunisia 

www.tn.afnor.org 

Turkey 

www.tr.afnor.org 

Vietnam 

www.afnor.com.vn 

AFNOR Group Communication. 2013/06 - S1306103-600020. Graphic design: GAYA. 

This brochure was printed using vegetable-based inks 

11 rue Francis de Pressensé - 93571 La Plaine Saint-Denis cedex - France 

Tel. : +33 (0)1 41 62 80 00 - Fax. : +33 (0)1 49 17 90 00 

This report is available at www.afnor.org or on request from: webmaster@afnor.org

Annual Report 2012 - Afnor

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