EFNARC

What EFNARC does

EFNARC (European Federation of National Associations representing Repair, Maintenance, and Surface Treatment of Concrete) is a Swiss not-for-profit industry association founded in 1989, headquartered at the Hagerbach Test Gallery in Flums, Switzerland. It functions as the global authoritative voice for contractors, manufacturers, raw material suppliers, and engineering consultants in the specialized construction and concrete systems industry, with members across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Australasia. The organization produces technical specifications, guidelines, and industry publications that have become reference standards — adopted into European regulation and recognized by bodies including the International Tunnelling Association (ITA) and the UK Transforming Tunnelling Safety Group (TTSG) SKATE Competence Matrix.

The core product is the Nozzle Operator Certification Scheme for sprayed concrete operators, launched in September 2009 and upgraded in January 2023 to mandate VR simulator training (delivered via partners EDVIRT and Normet) and online theory assessment, with a 5-day training course, 40-day practical requirement, and 5-year certificate validity. In 2022–2024, EFNARC expanded into mechanized tunnelling with the TBM Pilot Scheme, offering parallel Pilot and Examiner Certificates supported by ITA Working Group 14 and ITAtech AG. A Mobile Wallet Certificate add-on (€30) was introduced in December 2023 for smartphone-based credential verification. Certification programs are delivered through a global network of EFNARC-trained examiners and partner facilities.

EFNARC's revenue is generated through three streams: recurring membership subscriptions (Full Member €4,000/yr, Affiliate Member €500/yr), one-time certification fees (€50 online exam, €100 certificate issuance, €30 mobile wallet), and training course fees set by examiners. Go-to-market is community-led: industry events (e.g., World Tunneling Congress), technical focus groups (fibres, mining, hand-sprayed concrete, fire protection), international partnerships, and the EFNARC website. The organization operates with approximately 5 employees, is governed by a General Assembly and Executive Committee, and is not venture-backed.

Name

EFNARC

Legal name

EFNARC

Website

https://efnarc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

EFNARC is a Swiss not-for-profit industry association founded in 1989 that sets global certification standards for sprayed concrete nozzle operators and tunnel boring machine pilots. It serves contractors, manufacturers, raw material suppliers, and consultants across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Australasia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction Industry Certification Services

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513)

akta.pro primary industry

Third-Party Certification, Code Compliance & Regulatory Inspection (ASME/API/ISO) (EUAEAHAN)

Keywords

• Sprayed concrete certification
• Underground construction standards
• Nozzle operator certification
• TBM pilot certification
• Construction industry guidelines

Headquarters

HQ city

Flums

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from corporate members (manufacturers, contractors, consultants) and affiliate members (institutions, universities).
2. Certification Fees: Fees charged for certification processes including online theory exams (50 EUR), certificate issuance (100 EUR per attendee), and mobile wallet certificates (30 EUR).
3. Training Course Fees: Examiners set their own pricing for 5-day training courses covering classroom theory, simulator training, practical experience, and assessment modules.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

EFNARC is a not-for-profit industry association that develops and administers global certification schemes and technical guidelines for the underground construction industry. Its core offerings are the Nozzle Operator Certification Scheme for sprayed concrete operators and the TBM Pilot Certification Scheme for tunnel boring machine pilots, delivered through a network of certified examiners and supported by VR simulator-based training and online theory assessments.

Product overview

EFNARC is a not-for-profit certification and standards organization for the underground construction industry, offering a portfolio of certification schemes for personnel rather than software products. The core offerings include the Nozzle Operator Certification Scheme (launched 2009) for sprayed concrete operators, the newer TBM Pilot Scheme (launched 2024) for tunnel boring machine pilots, and corresponding Examiner Certificates for both schemes. These certification programs combine training (including VR simulator training for nozzle operators), theory assessments, and practical evaluations conducted by certified examiners. The organization also offers a Mobile Wallet Certificate add-on for digital credential storage. EFNARC additionally produces industry guidelines, technical specifications, and publications that serve as reference material across the global tunnelling and mining sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Nozzle Operator Certification Scheme: Global certification scheme for sprayed concrete operators launched in 2009
• TBM Pilot Scheme

Products and services

• Nozzle Operator Certificate Certification for sprayed concrete nozzle operators obtained after completing a 5-day course covering classroom theory, online theory exam, 3-day simulator training, proof of 40 days practical spraying experience, and practical assessment by an independent EFNARC Examiner. Valid for 5 years.
• Nozzle Operator Examiner Certificate Assessment and accreditation program for professionals with at least 5 years of sprayed concrete experience. A 3-day program held at Hagerbach Test Gallery, Switzerland, run by the International Centre for Geotechnics & Underground Construction (CUC) on behalf of EFNARC.
• TBM Pilot Certificate Certification for Tunnel Boring Machine pilots under EFNARC's TBM Pilot Scheme. Course aimed at both novice and experienced TBM operators, based on the EFNARC nozzle operator certification scheme.
• TBM Pilot Examiner Certificate Train-the-trainer certification for experienced experts with 5+ years of EPB Tunnel Boring Machine experience across multiple projects, part of EFNARC's TBM Pilot Scheme.
• Mobile Wallet Certificate Digital certificate storage solution allowing EFNARC-certified Nozzle Operators and Examiners to carry their certificates on smartphones via a mobile wallet application, with QR-code scan verification for instant accessibility.
• EFNARC Publications Technical specifications, guidelines, checklists, and industry literature produced by EFNARC over its 30+ year history, covering sprayed concrete, underground construction, and fibres for sprayed concrete.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hagerbach Test Gallery recognized as 'Research Infrastructure of National Importance' by Swiss government
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• International Tunnelling Association (ITA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2009ITA endorses EFNARC's certification scheme and both organizations work together in complementing fields. ITA Working Group 12 focuses on sprayed concrete, and ITA WG14 supports EFNARC's TBM Pilot Scheme.
• Centre for Underground Construction (CUC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCUC runs the EFNARC Examiner Certificate program on behalf of EFNARC at Hagerbach Test Gallery. Founded by established companies including Sika, Amberg, Holcim, Putzmeister, Hilti, and others.
• Hagerbach Test Gallery (VSH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEFNARC office has been located at VSH in Flums for three years. VSH hosts EFNARC Nozzle Operator Examiner Training and first TBM pilot training. Swiss government recognized VSH as 'Research Infrastructure of National Importance' benefiting EFNARC.
• ITAtech AGmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerITAtech AG Excavation SubAG TBM Service Guideline supports the EFNARC TBM Pilot Scheme launch.
• EDVIRTmajorTechnology or IntegrationOfficial EFNARC-approved VR simulator provider for shotcrete training. Founded from Chalmers University research, acquired by DSI Underground (Sandvik Group). Develops training courses and simulator applications for tunnel and mining industries.
• NormetmajorTechnology or IntegrationOfficial EFNARC-approved VR simulator provider. Finnish company specializing in sprayed concrete equipment and training solutions. Provides VR spraying training simulator and operates in 30 countries with 50 locations.
• Transforming Tunnelling Safety Group (TTSG)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTTSG developed SKATE Competence Matrix which states EFNARC C2 as suggested certification for concrete spraying operators in UK tunnelling.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Normet: Normet is a Finnish manufacturer of equipment and chemicals for underground construction and mining, specializing in sprayed concrete solutions. It is an EFNARC partner and approved VR simulator provider, making it an adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• International Tunnelling Association (ITA): ITA is the global umbrella organization for the tunnelling industry with 80 member nations. It is a strategic partner that endorses EFNARC's certification schemes but operates at a broader level, covering all tunnelling disciplines rather than specializing in sprayed concrete and TBM pilots.
• fib (International Federation for Structural Concrete): fib is the international federation for structural concrete, advancing the technical, economic, and environmental performance of concrete construction. It is a broader peer developing model codes and technical bulletins in the concrete industry, similar to EFNARC's standards and publications work.
• ITAtech: ITAtech is the technology arm of the International Tunnelling Association, developing guidelines and supporting innovation in tunnelling. Directly comparable to EFNARC's role in technology and standards development, with close partnership on the TBM Pilot Scheme.
• American Concrete Institute (ACI): ACI is a global authority on concrete standards, codes, and certification, including certification programs for concrete professionals. It is a broader incumbent compared to EFNARC's sprayed concrete niche, but both develop standards and certify personnel in the concrete industry.
• ERMCO (European Ready-Mixed Concrete Organization): ERMCO represents the European ready-mixed concrete industry, promoting quality and best practices. It is a broader peer in the concrete industry association space, with similar membership of manufacturers and suppliers but focused on ready-mixed rather than sprayed concrete.

Regional players

• British Tunnelling Society (BTS): BTS is the UK professional society for tunnelling, serving engineers and professionals in the British tunnelling sector. Comparable to EFNARC as a regional industry body, with broader scope but overlapping membership and standards-setting activities in the underground construction space.
• Deutscher Ausschuss für unterirdisches Bauen (DAUB): DAUB is the German national committee for underground construction, providing recommendations and standards for tunnel construction. Comparable to EFNARC as a regional standards body, with similar focus on underground construction but limited to the German market.

Direct peers

• American Shotcrete Association (ASA): The American Shotcrete Association is a direct peer promoting the use of sprayed concrete (shotcrete) in North America. Like EFNARC, ASA publishes guidelines, certifies nozzle operators, and operates as an industry association for the sprayed concrete ecosystem.
• Sprayed Concrete Association (SCA): The Sprayed Concrete Association is the UK trade body for the sprayed concrete industry, providing training and promoting best practices. It is a direct peer to EFNARC's Nozzle Operator Certification Scheme, with overlapping constituency of contractors, manufacturers, and consultants in the UK.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses6 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/efnarc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EFNARC