DGNB certification (German Sustainable Building Council)

The German certification system DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council) was introduced by the German Sustainable Building Council to make the sustainability of buildings measurable. The DGNB system is based on the three pillars of sustainability – ecology, economy and social aspects – with additional qualities being assessed for a holistic view. Within the qualities, points are awarded for criteria and indicators which, individually tailored to different usage profiles, make the overall performance of the building assessable. Points are awarded in the following six environmental categories:

• Ecological quality (ENV)
• Economic quality (ECO)
• Socio-cultural and functional quality (SOC)
• Technical quality (TEC)
• Process quality (PRO)
• Site quality (SITE)

Different usage profiles enable the certification of new and existing buildings, as well as neighborhoods in Germany. These are constantly being further developed in order to respond to current market requirements.

Utilization profiles in the DGNB system

DGNB new building

• Office and administration building, version 2018 (DGNB NBV 18, old DGNB NBV 15)
• Education, version 2018 (DGNB NBV 18, old DGNB NBV 15)
• Residential, Version 2018 (DGNB NBI 18, old DGNB NBI 15)
• Hotel, version 2018 (DGNB NHO 18, old DGNB NHO 15)
• Consumer market, version 2018 (DGNB NVM 18, old DGNB NVM 15)
• Shopping center, version 2018 (DGNB NSC 18, old DGNB NSC 15)
• Commercial building, version 2018 (DGNB NGH 18, old DGNB NGH 15)
• Logistics, version 2018 (DGNB NLO 18, old DGNB NLO 15)
• Production, version 2018 (DGNB NPS 18, old DGNB NPS 15)
• Assembly facilities, version 2018 (DGNB NVS 18, old DGNB NVS 12)
• Healthcare buildings, version 2013 (DGNB NGB 13)
• Small residential buildings, version 2013 (DGNB NKW 13.2)
• Laboratory building, version 2014 (DGNB LN 14/BNB LN 2014)
• Mixed use, version 2018 (DGNB Mix 18, DGNB MIX 15)
• Sports halls, version 2017 (initial application, DGNB NSH 17)
• Modular buildings (initial application)
• Certificate ready for installation (Core & Shell)

DGNB stock

• Existing building (office), version 2013 (DGNB BBV 13)
• Buildings in operation, version 2020 (DGNB GIB 20)
• Buildings in operation, version 2015 (DGNB GIB 15)
• Mixed use, version 2018 (DGNB Mix 18)
• Traffic stations in operation, version 2019 (initial application, DGNB VIB 19)
• Refurbishment, version 2016 (initial application, DGNB SBI16, SBV16, SGH16, SHO16, SLO16, SPS16, SSC16, SVM16, SWO16)
• Climate positive” award

DGNB interiors

• Office, Shopping, Version 2018 (DGNB NIR 18)
• Hotels, version 2018 (first application, DGNB NIR 18)
• Gastronomy, version 2018 (initial application, DGNB NIR 18)
• Mixed use, version 2018

DGNB districts

• Urban quarters, version 2020 (DGNB SQ20)
• Business quarters, version 2020 (DGNB BQ20)
• Commercial areas, version 2020 (DGNB GG20)
• Industrial sites, version 2020 (DGNB IS20)
• Event areas, version 2020 (DGNB EA20)
• Resorts, 2017 version
• Vertical Cities, Version 2017

DGNB deconstruction (first application)

DGNB International

• DGNB International Core System, Version 2020
• Buildings in Use (DGNB GIB 15)
• New office building (CORE 14)

There is also an international system for new office buildings. Depending on the degree of fulfillment, the building is awarded the seal of quality in bronze (35%, only for existing buildings), silver (50%), gold (65%) or platinum (80%) (previously bronze, silver, gold). A building can also achieve the “DGNB Diamond” award for outstanding architecture and quality of design and building culture.

Funding for sustainable construction

A new construction project that has been awarded the DGNB certificate qualifies to receive the“Quality Seal for Sustainable Buildings” (QNG), which in turn is a prerequisite for the sustainability bonus from the Federal Subsidy for Efficient Buildings (BEG). Instead of a subsidy of 15 %, 17.5 % of the costs can be subsidized by the BEG after receiving the QNG. In addition to the DGNB certificate, there are other requirements that must be met for the QNG, most of which are already covered by the requirements of the DGNB.