BNK and BNG Certification: Building Sustainably and Securing KfW Funding

The BNK and BNG certificates are the official seals of quality for sustainable construction awarded to residential buildings in Germany. At HOINKA, we support you from the initial planning stage through to successful certification.

As of January 1, 2023, residential buildings of all sizes can be certified: The Assessment System for Sustainable Small-Scale Residential Construction (BNK) for buildings with 1 to 5 residential units and the Assessment System for Sustainable Buildings (BNG) for buildings with more than 5 residential units.

The Key to Funding: BNK/BNG as a Prerequisite for QNG and KfW

The BNG/BNK certificate is one of the most important certifications required to obtain the QNG (Quality Seal for Sustainable Buildings) and, consequently, to qualify for KfW’s Climate-Friendly New Construction (KFN) funding program.

• Through the BEG program (Federal Funding for Energy-Efficient Buildings), you can obtain low-interest loans for climate-friendly new construction projects.

• Projects that meet the requirements for QNG-Plus or QNG-Premium and are awarded a sustainability certificate are eligible for even higher funding.

The Certification Process: How We Support You

The certification process runs parallel to the planning and construction of the building. A certified BNK/BNG auditor will guide your project from the planning phase through to completion. Certification takes place in several structured steps:

1. Selecting a BNK/BNG Auditor: These are experts in sustainable construction (such as architects, engineers, or energy consultants) who have been trained by BiRN (the Institute for Resource-Efficient and Sustainable Construction) and who will assist you with the implementation.

2. Registration of the project with BiRN: The client registers the building for certification and concludes contracts with the auditor and the BiRN certification body.

3. Establishing Sustainable Planning Goals & Documentation: Together, we define the goals, prepare the necessary documents, and, upon completion of construction, review the documentation to ensure the successful issuance of the certificate.

An Overview of Our Services

We answer questions, provide advice, and support you in successfully obtaining your BNK/BNG certification. Learn more about the evaluation system, including the requirements, certification costs, and the certification process.