When building, renovating, or extending a home, it is necessary to obtain a certificate of electrical conformity, also called Consul. This document is issued by the organization of the same name. Procedures, types of certificates, prices, deadlines… all the information you need to know to request a certificate of electrical conformity.
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Counsel, or the certificate of electrical conformity
Have you ever heard of Counsel? Behind this name, there are two things:
- On the one hand, it is an association recognized as being of public utility, the National Committee for the safety of electricity users, created in 1964. Its role is to ensure the safety of electrical installations in homes and premises;
- On the other hand, a certificate of compliance, issued by the Counsel itself, to validate the electrical compliance of housing.
The certificate of electrical compliance is, therefore, the document, also called Counsel, issued by the organization of the same name. This document is necessary during the construction, the complete renovation, or the extension of a housing.
Is the certificate of conformity mandatory?
The certificate of electrical conformity issued by Counsel is mandatory in several cases:
- For a dwelling under construction (construction of a house or installation of a first electrical installation);
- For a home that has been completely renovated or extended;
- For the installation of an installation to produce its own electricity.
In these different cases, for questions of electrical safety of the future occupants or passers-by, the law requires to be in possession of a certificate of conformity. The document is also necessary for the electricity supplier to proceed with the commissioning of the current in the dwelling.
The NF C 15-100 standard
In order to receive a certificate of electrical conformity, the electrical installation must comply with the NF C 15-100 standard, also called C 15-100. This standard specifies the safety rules that must be respected for each room in a home, including
- The location of electrical outlets;
- The minimum number of equipment per room;
- The intensity of the sockets;
- The protection zones.
The different types of Counsel
Because there are different uses of electricity and different electrical installations, there are 4 different types of conformity certificates. Each certificate corresponds to a different Cerfa, represented by a color. Find below the characteristics of each certificate of conformity to know which one to choose:
| Type of certificate | Usage |
| Yellow certificate | For an electrical installation for domestic use For premises used for residential purposes or outbuildings, sheds. This is the most commonly issued certificate. |
| Green certificate | For an installation which is not for domestic use. For example: representative of a syndic, site receiving workers, public… |
| Blue certificate | For an installation intended to produce energy without storing it (photovoltaic panels, wind turbines…). |
| Purple certificate | For a facility dedicated to generating and storing electricity. |
How to obtain a certificate of electrical conformity?
To obtain a certificate of electrical conformity, you need to follow the following steps. First, you must go to the Council website and download the certificate that corresponds to your needs (yellow, green, blue, or violet certificate) by means of secure payment by credit card. Fill out this certificate in paper or electronic format and send it to Counsel. After processing your file, Counsel will send an inspector to your home for a control visit. If the equipment complies with safety regulations, you will receive your certificate of conformity.
Note: if an electrician is doing the work on your home, he can take care of the procedures. However, you will still be responsible for the costs associated with the certificate of compliance.
In summary:
1. Choose your certificate online and fill it out;
2. Pay for your certificate online (or by check) and send the document;
3. Processing the file and organizing a control visit by Consul;
4. Affixing the Consul visa on the certificate.
In case of non-conformity
If the technician who comes to check your installation finds that it is not in order, he will not be able to give you a certificate. In this case, you will have to carry out the necessary work to bring the system up to standard and then schedule a second inspection. Please note that there is a charge for this second inspection.
Consul certificate: how much does it cost?
Obtaining a certificate of electrical conformity is a paying process. Prices vary according to the type of certificate requested and the format of the certificate (paper or electronic).
The prices below are valid as of September 1, 2020, for non-professionals in mainland France:
| Type of certificate | Cerfa number | Price electronic format | Price paper format |
| Yellow certificate | 12506*03 | 124,28€ | 125,56€ |
| Green certificate | 12507*03 | 65,60€ | 66,85€ |
| Blue certificate | 15523*01 | 172,84€ | 174,07€ |
| Purple certificate | 15524*01 | 197,87€ | 199,13€ |
Please note: for non-professionals residing in the DOM-TOM and for professionals, the rates for the certificate of conformity differ. For more information, visit the Consul website.
What are the deadlines?
On average, it takes about 20 days between the receipt of your file by the Consul and the control visit by an inspector. But this is an average: if you need this document to be able to sign up with an electricity supplier and have power at home, it is better to anticipate and send your completed Cerfa as soon as possible.
Once issued, the Consul is valid for one year from the date of approval.
Now It’s Your Turn
So that’s how I understand the electrical certificate of electrical conformity.
Now I want to turn it over to you: Through my article, you understand what is an electrical certificate of electrical conformity?
Do you have a different point of view with it? Or any other questions?
Let me know by leaving a quick comment below right now.
