Dossier ENGIE
Obtaining the Consuel: electrical compliance certificate, cost, procedures and timelines
Did you know? In France, 7 million homes present electrical risks¹. But let’s lighten the mood a bit: if you have your electrical installation checked by the Consuel when building or renovating your cozy nest, there’s no need to worry! Here’s everything you need to know.
When building a new home or carrying out certain renovation works, the electrical installation must undergo a mandatory compliance inspection. This inspection is carried out by an approved body, the Consuel, which issues an electrical compliance certificate once all checks have been completed.
This certificate is essential: without it, it is impossible to connect your installation to the public electricity grid or to have your electricity meter activated. So how does the Consuel work, how can you plan ahead, avoid delays and ensure a safe, regulation-compliant electrical installation? Follow the guide!
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What is the Consuel?
The Consuel (Comité national pour la sécurité des usagers de l’électricité) is a public-interest association responsible for checking the compliance of electrical installations in France. By extension, the term “Consuel” also refers to the electrical compliance certificate itself, issued after this inspection.
In practical terms, the Consuel verifies that your installation complies with current electrical regulations, specifically the NF C 15-100 standard, which defines the safety rules applicable in your home.
This official validation ensures that your installation does not pose any danger to occupants.
A Consuel compliance certificate is required for new builds, but also if you carry out a complete renovation of your electrical installation.
Without a valid Consuel certificate, it is not possible to connect your installation to the public grid or to have your electricity meter activated by your energy supplier.
Is the Consuel mandatory for an electrical installation? Legal obligations
In which cases is the Consuel certificate mandatory?
The Consuel certificate is mandatory whenever an electrical installation is new or fully renovated. You are therefore concerned if:
you are building a new home;
you are installing electricity for the first time (even if the building already exists);
you are carrying out a complete renovation of the existing installation;
you are installing a system that produces electricity (for example, photovoltaic panels).
In all these situations, the electrical compliance certificate is a legal requirement under French electrical regulations.
This official validation confirms that your installation complies with current safety standards: it guarantees the safety of people and property.
Can electricity be activated without a Consuel?
Without a valid Consuel compliance certificate, your electricity supplier cannot activate your electricity meter.
You will be required to provide the Consuel certificate when requesting the connection of your installation to the public grid.
In other words: no Consuel, no electricity supply to your home, even if the installation is complete.
What are the risks without a compliance certificate?
In addition to not complying with a legal requirement, you expose yourself to several risks without a Consuel certificate:
inability to activate electricity: your home remains without power;
increased electrical safety risks if the installation is not compliant;
potential issues in case of a claim: your insurer may refuse coverage if the installation does not meet standards.
What is the Consuel compliance certificate used for?
Verifying compliance with the NF C 15-100 standard
To issue your compliance certificate, the Consuel relies on the NF C 15-100 standard.
This is the reference regulation for low-voltage electrical installations in residential buildings in France.
In concrete terms, this standard defines, among other things:
the number and location of grounded electrical outlets;
safety rules for each room, especially in high-risk areas such as bathrooms;
requirements related to the electrical panel, protection devices and circuits.
If the Consuel confirms that your installation meets all regulatory requirements, it will issue the certificate.
Ensuring electrical safety in the home
Beyond compliance, the Consuel certificate’s main purpose is to guarantee electrical safety in your home.
If your installation is approved, the Consuel confirms that it does not present major risks for occupants (electric shocks, short circuits or fire hazards due to faulty installation).
It therefore plays a key role in preventing domestic accidents.
Authorising connection to the electricity grid
Finally, the Consuel compliance certificate is the essential pass required to connect a home to the public electricity grid.
Without this document, your electricity supplier cannot activate your meter or supply electricity.
In short, once electrical work in your home is completed, you must start the process of obtaining the Consuel certificate. Otherwise, your home will remain without electricity!
Which type of Consuel should you choose depending on your installation?
There are four types of Consuel certificates, each corresponding to a specific Cerfa form.
Each electrical compliance certificate is identified by a colour, making it easier to choose based on the type and use of the installation.
Yellow Consuel: residential use
The Yellow Consuel applies to residential electrical installations.
It is the most common certificate for individuals.
It is required for:
building a new home;
- fully renovating an electrical installation in a house or apartment.
Blue Consuel: production without storage
The Blue Consuel applies to installations that produce renewable electricity without storage systems.
It concerns:
grid-connected photovoltaic panels;
wind power generation systems.
Purple Consuel: production with storage
The Purple Consuel is intended for installations that both produce and store electricity.
It applies, for example, to photovoltaic panels combined with battery storage.
The inspection ensures that both production and storage systems comply with safety requirements.
Green Consuel: non-residential installations
The Green Consuel applies to installations not intended for residential use, i.e. professional or collective settings.
This includes:
commercial or service-sector premises;
common areas in apartment buildings managed by a property manager;
sites open to employees or the public.
How much does a Consuel certificate cost?
If you want to obtain a Consuel compliance certificate, be aware that the cost varies depending on the type of installation, the format of the form and the location of the project.
Prices are set by the Consuel according to the current regulatory pricing scale. They have been updated since 2 September 2025.
Prices depending on the type of certificate
For individuals (non-professionals), here are the applicable prices (including taxes) in mainland France:
Type of Consuel |
Installation use |
Electronic format (incl. VAT)* |
Paper format (incl. VAT)* |
Yellow Consuel Cerfa n°12506*03 |
Residential use (housing) |
€144.67 incl. VAT (including €24.11 VAT) |
€146.15 incl. VAT (including €24.36 VAT) |
Green Consuel Cerfa n°12507*03 |
Non-residential installations (e.g. common areas and/or general services of a building) |
€76.37 incl. VAT (including €12.73 VAT) |
€77.82 incl. VAT (including €12.97 VAT) |
Blue Consuel |
Electricity production without storage |
€201.17 incl. VAT (including €33.53 VAT) |
€202.62 incl. VAT (including €33.77 VAT) |
Purple Consuel |
Electricity production with storage |
€201.17 incl. VAT (including €33.53 VAT) |
€231.78 incl. VAT (including €38.63 VAT) |
Prices incl. VAT for individuals as of 5 September 2025, mainland France → (Tarifs des attestations de conformité - CONSUEL)
Good to know
The applicable price depends on the location of the project (mainland France, overseas territories, isolated site), not the installer’s address.
In addition:
The compliance certificate form is valid for one year from the date of purchase.
The form is personal and cannot be transferred to a third party.
In case of non-compliance, a follow-up inspection may be required:
compliance visit: €233.62 incl. VAT;
second visit (site inaccessible, incomplete work, etc.): €141.08 incl. VAT.
These fees are added to the initial certificate cost where applicable.
How do you obtain a Consuel certificate?
Who should apply: homeowner or electrician?
The Consuel compliance certificate must be requested by the person responsible for the electrical installation.
In most cases, this is the electrician who carried out the work. They submit the request once the installation is completed.
If you carried out the work yourself or had it done under your responsibility, you can also apply as the project owner.
Only the person responsible for the installation (installer or individual) is authorised to purchase and complete the certificate form.
How do you obtain the compliance certificate form?
Once the work is completed, you must purchase the compliance certificate form from the Consuel.
This form is a Cerfa document adapted to the type of installation.
Two formats are available:
Electronic format: the form is purchased, completed and submitted online via your customer account. Processing is faster with this option.
Paper format: the printed Cerfa form is completed manually and sent by post with the required documents.
The form must be submitted at least 20 days before the planned electricity activation date to allow time for the inspection.
How does the Consuel inspection work?
Inspection process
After submitting the compliance certificate form, a Consuel inspector may visit to inspect the installation.
This inspection takes place once the work is completed and before electricity is activated.
It ensures that the installation complies with safety rules and current regulations.
Following the visit, two outcomes are possible:
the installation is compliant: the certificate is validated and issued;
- issues are identified: the certificate is not issued immediately and corrective work is required before a follow-up inspection.
What does the inspector check?
During the inspection, the inspector examines key elements such as:
the electrical panel and protection devices;
the presence and operation of the residual current circuit breaker;
grounding and earth continuity;
circuit protection in high-risk rooms (bathroom, kitchen);
overall compliance with the NF C 15-100 standard.
What happens in case of non-compliance?
If non-compliance is identified, the inspector informs the applicant and specifies what must be corrected.
You must then carry out the required work to bring the installation up to standard.
Once corrections are completed, you must request a follow-up inspection.
The certificate will only be issued after successful validation during this second visit.
What are the timelines for obtaining the Consuel?
Obtaining a Consuel certificate takes time: allow several weeks before your desired electricity activation date to avoid delays.
On average, it takes around 20 days between submitting a complete application and the inspection.
Additional time may be required for:
correcting non-compliance issues;
electricity meter activation by your supplier once the certificate is validated.
Overall, it is best to plan ahead to avoid being left without electricity when moving in.
Is the Consuel required in the case of renovation?
Partial vs full renovation
The Consuel certificate is mandatory in the case of a full renovation of the electrical installation.
However, for partial renovations, it is not always required. It depends on the scope of the work and its impact on safety.
If in doubt, check before starting your project to determine whether a certificate is necessary.
Installing solar panels
Installing a renewable electricity production system, such as photovoltaic panels, requires a specific compliance certificate, even if your existing installation is already compliant.
These inspections ensure the safety and compliance of the solar installation before grid connection.
Replacing the electrical panel
Simply replacing an electrical panel does not always require a new Consuel certificate.
As long as it is part of a partial renovation without major changes, it is generally not required.
However, if it involves a full overhaul or complete upgrade to standards, a certificate may be requested, particularly by your insurer.
Consuel: key takeaways
The Consuel is both an approved body and an electrical compliance certificate.
It is mandatory for new or fully renovated electrical installations.
It guarantees compliance with regulations and the NF C 15-100 standard.
Without it, electricity cannot be activated.
There are four types of Consuel certificates, identified by colour.
Timelines require anticipation before moving in or reconnecting power.
In case of non-compliance, corrective work and a follow-up inspection may be required.
Everything you need to know about the Counsuel Certificate
How long is the Consuel certificate valid?
The Consuel compliance certificate form is valid for one year from the date of purchase. After this period, it cannot be used or exchanged, and a new application must be made.
Can you sell a property without a Consuel?
Yes, it is possible to sell a property without a Consuel certificate, especially if it is an older property. However, for new builds or recent full renovations, the certificate may be required to prove compliance.
Is the Consuel required for an apartment?
Yes, the Consuel certificate is required under the same conditions as for a house. It is mandatory for new apartments or those that have undergone a full electrical renovation before electricity activation.
Can a Consuel refusal be challenged?
No. In case of refusal, the Consuel specifies the non-compliance issues to be corrected. Once the work is completed, you can request a follow-up inspection.
Who pays for the Consuel: landlord or tenant?
The cost of the Consuel certificate is generally borne by the person responsible for the electrical work. In most cases, this is the property owner, unless otherwise specified contractually.
