DGNB certification system: German Sustainable Building Council seal of approval

In 2009, the DGNB developed a holistic certification system to make sustainable building practicable, measurable and therefore comparable. The German Sustainable Building Council evaluates the environment, people and economic efficiency equally over the entire life cycle. The DGNB system is also a planning and optimization tool for all those involved in construction to demonstrably increase sustainability in construction projects across all planning and construction phases. The DGNB certificate is one of the best-known international certification systems for sustainable construction and is used to label buildings, districts and interiors. It also helps to find the right answers to our most important future questions by taking into account topics such as responsible sourcing, circular economy, innovation, building culture and the Sustainable Development Goals. The DGNB System is being continuously developed to meet market requirements, the needs of the industry and the growing understanding of sustainable construction. The system is based on the three central sustainability areas of ecology, economy and socio-cultural aspects. In terms of a holistic approach, the DGNB System also evaluates the location as well as the technical and process-related quality. The performance of these qualities can be assessed using certification criteria. These are individually tailored to different types of use and can be applied to new builds, existing buildings, refurbishments and building operation.

The DGNB certificate: proof of greater sustainability in construction

By reducing cost-intensive risks, the application of the DGNB system contributes to a high degree of future security for construction projects. The independent certification process ensures transparent quality control. A DGNB certificate in platinum, gold or silver can be obtained as proof of this quality in construction. A bronze certificate can also be obtained for sustainable building operation or existing buildings.

More about the certification process

The DGNB has defined target values for each criterion. These are weighted differently depending on use. The aim is always to promote a uniformly high quality of buildings, districts or interiors.

DGNB certification system

The DGNB certificate is awarded to buildings that are environmentally friendly, resource-conserving, functional and comfortable and are integrated into their socio-cultural environment.

Methodology

A total of six different subject areas have now been defined that must be taken into account when planning and constructing a sustainable building:

• Ecological quality
• Economic quality
• Socio-cultural quality
• Technical quality
• Process quality
• Location quality

Each topic area is made up of various criteria profiles, which are included in the overall assessment with different weightings depending on the selected system variant.

System variants

The certification system is continuously being developed for different building uses and variants. DGNB certification is currently possible for the following usage profiles:

• Pre-certificate for new buildings
• New building
• Buildings in operation with recertification
• Existing buildings and refurbishment
• Dismantling
• Quarters
• Master plan certificate for identical buildings (e.g. specialist stores or prefabricated houses)

In principle, educational buildings, office and administration buildings, commercial buildings, healthcare buildings, hotel buildings, small and large residential buildings (up to and from 6 residential units), laboratory buildings, logistics buildings, mixed-use buildings, parking garages, production facilities, shopping centers, sports halls, consumer markets and places of assembly can be certified.

International application

In cooperation with international NGOs, the DGNB certification system is adapted to regional regulatory, climatic and cultural requirements. Organizations from around 30 countries are active members of the DGNB. The DGNB cooperates particularly closely with its system partners, who also carry out the conformity checks for certification in the respective countries:

• Green Building Council Denmark (DK-GBC)
• Austrian Society for a Sustainable Real Estate Industry (ÖGNI)
• Swiss Society for a Sustainable Real Estate Industry (SGNI)
• Green Building Council España (GBCe)

The Austrian Sustainable Building Council (ÖGNI) was the first to make use of the system adaptation option. The DGNB partner organization was founded in autumn 2009. After the German DGNB system was modified in line with Austrian legal requirements and standards, the ÖGNI was the first building to be awarded a DGNB silver pre-certificate at the Olympic Games in Vancouver in January 2010. The Swiss Sustainable Building Council SGNI was founded in 2010 and awarded its first DGNB certificates in January 2012. In addition, the DGNB provides an English-language internationalized version of the system for all countries, which is based on current European norms and standards. Source: DGNB e.V. Status: 2021