Sign a French RGE contractor certificate online, in 2 minutes
Certificate by which a French construction contractor certifies their RGE qualification (Reconnu Garant de l'Environnement) to their customer, financer (MaPrimeRénov', éco-PTZ, bank) or CEE delegate. Compliant with Decree n° 2014-812 of 16 July 2014, the RGE charter signed with Qualibat/Qualit'EnR/Cequami and the eIDAS Regulation — advanced signature recommended, audit trail admissible on audit.
- Legal framework
- Decree n° 2014-812
- Signature level
- AES eIDAS recommended
- Legal archiving
- 10 years + qualification term
What is a French RGE contractor certificate?
The French RGE qualification (Reconnu Garant de l'Environnement, "Recognised Guarantor of the Environment"), created by Decree n° 2014-812 of 16 July 2014, is issued by authorised bodies (Qualibat for general works, Qualit'EnR for renewable energy, Cequami for full renovation, Qualifelec for electrical works). It is required for a customer's energy-efficiency works to qualify for public aid (MaPrimeRénov', éco-PTZ, CEE, ANAH). The RGE certificate is the document by which the contractor certifies under their civil and criminal liability that they hold the qualification matching the action performed, both at quote signing AND at works acceptance. A false certificate exposes the contractor to revocation by the certifying body, full aid reimbursement by the customer, and prosecution for fraud (art. 313-1 French Penal Code).
Why sign the RGE certificate electronically?
Identical legal force
Article 1366 of the French Civil Code recognises that electronic writing has the same probative force as paper writing. The RGE charter and certifying bodies (Qualibat, Qualit'EnR, Cequami) have accepted certificates signed at advanced level since 2021.
Traceable date + contractor identity
The RGE certificate must be dated no later than the quote date and the invoice date. Advanced signature (AES) precisely timestamps these milestones and certifies the signing executive's identity (LLC manager, SAS president, sole trader) via SMS-OTP — admissible in Qualibat audits.
10-year archiving + qualification term
The customer file must be producible for 10 years in case of DGCCRF audit, ANAH audit or civil dispute. The RGE qualification itself is valid for 4 years and renewable. Certyneo archives the certificate for 10 years with its eIDAS audit trail.
eIDAS audit trail, court-admissible
Every certificate is delivered with a proof PDF: contractor identity + SIRET + Qualibat reference, qualified timestamp, SHA-256 hash, SMS-OTP. Admissible in disputes over file compliance (false certificate, suspended qualification, non-RGE subcontracting).
Sign an RGE certificate in 4 steps
From Qualibat confirmation to sending to the customer, in under 5 minutes.
1. Prepare the certificate
Upload your standard certificate or start from one compliant with the RGE charter: company identity (SIRET, executive), Qualibat / Qualit'EnR / Cequami reference, RGE action(s) covered, qualification validity period, liability clause.
2. Add signers
Company signing executive (manager, president, sole trader). If a mandate to certify on the customer's behalf (quote, CEE file), add the customer as "acknowledgement of receipt" signer. Each receives a secure personalised link.
3. Choose the eIDAS level
Advanced signature (AES) recommended: identity verification by SMS-OTP, unique per-signer certificate, qualified timestamp. Admissible to Qualibat and financers on audit.
4. Send to the customer and archive
The signed certificate attaches to the quote, invoice and aid file (MaPrimeRénov', éco-PTZ, CEE). Automatic 10-year archiving with eIDAS proof PDF.
Frequently asked questions
- Can an RGE certificate be signed electronically?
- Yes, without restriction. Qualibat, Qualit'EnR and Cequami accept RGE certificates signed at advanced level (AES eIDAS) since 2021. Article 1366 of the French Civil Code grants electronic signatures the same value as handwritten ones. The eIDAS audit trail (SMS-OTP identity + timestamp + hash) provides sufficient proof on audit.
- How long is an RGE certificate valid?
- The RGE certificate is valid for the duration of the qualification, i.e. 4 years renewable after a site audit (triennial audit for Qualibat). A certificate signed by the contractor remains admissible for sites executed during the validity period, even if the qualification is later not renewed.
- What happens with a false RGE certificate?
- Cumulative sanctions: (1) revocation by the certifying body (Qualibat, Qualit'EnR) with a 2-year representation ban; (2) full reimbursement of public aid received by the customer (MaPrimeRénov', éco-PTZ, CEE); (3) prosecution for fraud (art. 313-1 French Penal Code, up to 5 years prison and €375,000 fine); (4) civil liability towards the customer.
- Which bodies issue the RGE qualification?
- Four main ones: Qualibat (general works, insulation, waterproofing, gas/fuel heating), Qualit'EnR (heat pumps, solar thermal, photovoltaic, wood energy), Cequami (full renovation Cequami Rénov'), Qualifelec (electrical works). Each has its own quality signs ("RGE Énergie", "QualiPAC", "QualiSol", "QualiBois", "Cequami RGE Mention").
- Must the contractor be RGE at the quote date or at the works date?
- At the quote date, mandatorily, AND at the customer's quote acceptance date. The rule prevents a contractor from obtaining the qualification after the fact. The certificate must therefore be timestamped no later than the quote date. Advanced electronic signature guarantees this timestamping admissibly.
- Can the contractor subcontract to another RGE contractor?
- Yes, provided the subcontractor holds the matching RGE qualification. The main contractor remains responsible for the file towards the customer and the bodies. Subcontracting must be disclosed to the customer (Act of 31 December 1975) and the subcontractor must also sign an RGE certificate attached to the file.
- Is an RGE certificate required for every energy-efficiency works?
- To qualify for public aid (MaPrimeRénov', éco-PTZ, CEE, 5.5% VAT), yes, on all funded actions. By contrast, energy-efficiency works without public aid can be performed by a non-RGE contractor — the customer simply loses eligibility for grants and éco-PTZ.
- Is the electronically signed certificate admissible on audit?
- Yes — advanced signature (AES) benefits from the reliability presumption of article 1367 of the French Civil Code. Qualibat, Qualit'EnR, ANAH, the CEE office, éco-PTZ partner banks and the DGCCRF accept the AES certificate + its eIDAS audit trail as evidence equivalent to a paper certificate.
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Sign your first RGE certificate online
Permanent free plan (5 envelopes / month), no credit card. Decree 2014-812 and eIDAS compliant. Admissible in Qualibat / Qualit'EnR audits, 10-year archiving included.