The recognition EFQM, a mark of excellence

Transform, improve, inspire

In a constantly changing world, anticipating and effectively managing change is no longer a luxury but a necessity for any organization.

The evaluation process at 360° , as proposed by the EFQM model, not only allows you to capitalize on your strengths but also to accelerate progress and foster a genuine culture of transformation.
Today, this model of “stakeholder capitalism” provides a self-assessment framework to more than 50,000 private and public organizations worldwide, enabling them to adapt to the challenges of the modern world and build a more sustainable future.


 

Two EFQM frameworks to accelerate your performance and transformation efforts

The EFQM approach adapts to your priorities and your specific context. Whether your goal is to assess your organization’s maturity or to effectively lead a transformation, two complementary paths are available to you.

The “Excellence” Track - Launch or advance your excellence initiative with the EFQM Model.

Thanks to  EFQM Rapid Diagnostic , new for 2026, you can now conduct a quick initial assessment of your organization—without any prior preparation—to get an instant overview of your key strengths and areas for improvement.
To take things a step further, the comprehensive EFQM assessment allows you to conduct an in-depth analysis of your management practices and key performance indicators, while evaluating how well they align with your strategy, your culture, and the major trends shaping our society.

 The “Transformation” Program

Engage your teams in a successful and well-managed transformation process by applying the EFQM model and its RADAR framework. This program helps you ensure the success of your change initiatives by fostering a genuine culture of transformation: 
seeking quick and measurable results, 
collaboration among departments, 
active listening to all stakeholders.
 

These two complementary tracks—Excellence and Transformation—allow you to choose the EFQM approach that best suits your challenges, your goals, and the maturity of your organization.

 

Structured around seven criteria, the EFQM 2025 model compiles the practices of companies considered to be the most successful in the world.
A unique opportunity to benchmark yourself!

EFQM model: our tools and services in France

As an official partner of EFQM for nearly 20 years, AFNOR plays a key role in promoting and implementing the EFQM model, offering a range of tools and services based on this standard.

Assessments and recognition: the EFQM model is suitable for any organization

The EFQM recognition scheme is open to any organization, regardless of its status, size, sector, or maturity in terms of quality management.

Establishing or strengthening a culture of improvement and transformation is often the first step taken by organizations that want to discover and lay the foundations for an EFQM-based approach to excellence.

For more advanced organizations, EFQM offers a recognition scale ranging from 1 to 7 stars depending on the level of maturity achieved.

EFQM in France

In 1988, under the impetus of the European Commission chaired by Jacques Delors, a group of 14 European business leaders, including Serge Dassault (Dassault Aviation), Raymond Levy (Renault), and Francis Lorents (Bull), undertook to create the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM).

The EFQM then introduced a new management model that explicitly promotes sustainability and social impact, alongside business excellence and continuous improvement.

Today, EFQM's "stakeholder capitalism" model provides a framework for self-assessment and continuous improvement for more than 50,000 public and private organizations around the world, enabling them to develop and prosper sustainably.

EFQM x AFNOR

Since its inception, AFNOR has been committed to developing and promoting best practices in quality and sustainable performance. As a key player in quality and CSR initiatives and certifications, it was only natural that the complementary strengths of AFNOR and the EFQM Foundation were leveraged to support the rollout of this powerful tool in French organizations.

As a result, several French companies and public organizations are regularly recognized nationally and internationally by the EFQM, including:

Global Award Winner: SCLE-SFE

Price Winners: Bosch, Grundfos, Lyon Airports, and KEOLIS

6-star recognition: RATP, Valrhona, APICIL Group, and SDEA

Which organizations are EFQM-recognized, and what do they say about it?

Discover the unique benefits of an EFQM approach. And Read more about the RATP here. with RER line A, which initiated the process in 2017 and accelerated it in 2020.