Alkern obtains a new NF 025A certification

An 11th Alkern site certified NF 025A

On May 27, 2026, the Alkern site in Roques-sur-Garonne obtained NF 025A certification – Concrete blocks made of ordinary and lightweight aggregates with the "Enhanced monitoring of production equipment" option, issued by CERIB.

This distinction recognizes the mastery of industrial processes implemented on the site. It covers both the manufacturing of concrete blocks and the quality control, maintenance and traceability operations of production equipment.

With this new certification, Alkern now has 11 sites benefiting from this option within its production network dedicated to concrete blocks.

Enhanced monitoring of industrial equipment

Published in March 2023, the evolution of the NF 025A standard introduced an option designed to strengthen the control of critical equipment involved in the manufacture of concrete blocks.

This approach specifically concerns:

• production presses;
• the mussels;
• vibration systems;
• dosing equipment;
• the associated control devices.

The objective is to improve the stability of product performance throughout the industrial process. For construction companies, engineering firms, and project managers, this requirement aims to limit variations between batches and ensure greater consistency in the characteristics of the blocks used on site.

Industrial quality at the heart of certification

The NF 025A certification is a benchmark for manufacturers of concrete blocks that comply with French regulatory requirements. The "Enhanced Monitoring of Production Equipment" option extends this approach by more strongly integrating the performance of the industrial equipment into the site assessment.

The approach is based on several criteria:

• thorough traceability of maintenance operations;
• enhanced periodic checks;
• the analysis of production gaps;
• more in-depth NF audits.

This approach is part of a continuous improvement logic widely used in certified industrial environments.

"By incorporating this option, the NF standard officially recognizes that the quality of a concrete block depends as much on the formulation as on the robustness and consistency of the industrial equipment."

Emmanuel Jezequel, Quality Director

A response to the growing demands of construction sites

The quality of concrete blocks directly influences the consistency of construction. In housing, commercial building, or public facility projects, the dimensional and mechanical stability of the products is an important criterion for masonry companies.

The enhanced monitoring option aims to meet market expectations in terms of industrial reliability, durability of structures and control of declared performance.

However, this approach presents an operational constraint: it involves rigorous documentation tracking as well as a structured maintenance program for all production equipment.

An approach consistent with environmental challenges

Beyond qualitative aspects, the control of industrial processes helps to ensure the environmental performance of products. This requirement is part of a context where data from verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) play an increasingly important role in projects subject to environmental regulations.

"This certification reflects our commitment to continuously improving our industrial quality control. It is a demanding process that reflects the dedication of our teams and our ambition to offer increasingly reliable solutions to our customers."

Théo Année, regional quality manager at Alkern

With the certification of its Roques-sur-Garonne site, Alkern continues to roll out this NF option across its industrial facilities. This development illustrates the growing importance of controlling production equipment in the quality of construction materials used on building sites.