BNK/BNG – Criteria: All quality areas of sustainability certification

The BNK/BNG certification system evaluates the sustainability of residential buildings based on specific, standardized criteria set forth in criteria profiles. Meeting these criteria is essential for obtaining the QNG seal and qualifying for KfW’s “Climate-Friendly New Construction” (KFN) subsidy.

To ensure a holistic and comprehensive assessment, the 19 criteria in total cover four key areas of quality:

Main criteria and assessment areas:

Quality Division	Category	Criterion & Description
Sociocultural & Functional Quality	Healthy Living	• Indoor Air Quality : Assessment of indoor air quality. • Drinking Water Quality : Ensuring the quality of drinking water.
	Comfort	• Summer heat protection: Measures to prevent overheating. • Daylight availability: Sufficient natural lighting in the rooms. • Sound insulation: Reduction of noise pollution.
	Security	• Burglary protection: Preventive measures against break-ins. • Fire protection: Efficient fire detection and suppression systems. • Accessibility: Design for unrestricted accessibility.
Economic Quality	–	• Life-cycle costs: Analysis of costs over the entire life cycle of the building.
Environmental Quality	Life Cycle Assessment	• CO₂ emissions: Assessment of the carbon footprint. • Primary energy demand: Determination of energy consumption.
	Conservation of Resources	• Decentralized energy generation: On-site use of renewable energy. • Use of sustainable materials: Use of wood from certified forestry. • Water efficiency: Installation of water-saving fixtures. • Land efficiency: Optimal use of the available land area.
Process Quality	Planning & Documentation	• Consulting and Goal Setting: Defining sustainability goals. • Building File and User Manual: Preparing comprehensive documentation for users.
	Quality Assurance	• Quality assurance: Continuous monitoring throughout the construction process.

Requirements for Successful Certification

To successfully complete the BNK (for small residential buildings with 1–5 residential units) or BNG (for buildings with more than 5 residential units), all 19 criteria must be fully addressed. The following applies:

1. Each individual criterion must receive at least one rating point (legal standard).

2. An overall completion rate of at least 50% is required.

As certified BNK/BNG auditors, we support your project from the initial planning phase through to the successful issuance of the certificate.