BNK/BNG criteria

The BNK/BNG (QNG) certification system assesses the sustainability of residential buildings on the basis of specific criteria that are set out in so-called criteria profiles. These criteria cover various quality areas to ensure a comprehensive assessment of sustainability.

Main criteria and assessment areas:

1. Socio-cultural and functional quality:
   • Healthy living:
     • Indoor air hygiene: Assessment of indoor air quality.
     • Drinking water hygiene: Ensuring the quality of drinking water.
   • Comfort:
     • Summer thermal insulation: Measures to prevent overheating.
     • Availability of daylight: Sufficient natural lighting of the rooms.
     • Noise protection: Reduction of noise pollution.
   • Security:
     • Burglary protection: Preventive measures against break-ins.
     • Fire protection: Effective fire detection and suppression systems.
   • Accessibility: Design for unrestricted accessibility.
2. Economic quality:
   • Life cycle costs: Analysis of costs over the entire life cycle of the building.
3. Ecological quality:
   • Life cycle assessment:
     • CO₂ emissions: Evaluation of the CO₂ footprint.
     • Primary energy demand: Determination of energy consumption.
   • Conservation of resources:
     • Decentralized energy generation: Use of renewable energies on site.
     • Use of sustainable materials: Use of wood from certified forestry.
     • Water efficiency: Installation of water-saving fittings.
   • Efficient use of space: Optimal use of the available plot area.
4. Process quality:
   • Planning and documentation:
     • Consultation and target agreement: Definition of sustainability targets.
     • Building file and user manual: Creation of comprehensive documentation for users.
   • Quality assurance: Continuous monitoring during the construction process.

For successful certification, all 19 criteria must be completed in full, with each criterion achieving at least one assessment point, which corresponds to the legal standard. In addition, an overall degree of fulfillment of at least 50% is required.