DGNB certification (German Sustainable Building Council)

DGNB certification (German Sustainable Building Council) is a recognized seal of quality for sustainable buildings, districts and interiors. It evaluates construction projects holistically in the areas of ecology, economy, socio-cultural aspects and technical and procedural quality. The German DGNB certification system was introduced by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen e. V. (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 developed further in order to respond to current market requirements.

Utilization profiles in the DGNB system for certification

DGNB new building

• Educational buildings version 2023 new build, version 2018 new build, version 2021 refurbishment
• Office and administration building version 2023 new build, version 2018 new build, version 2021 refurbishment
• Commercial buildings version 2023 new build, version 2018 new build, version 2021 refurbishment
• Healthcare buildings version 2023 new build, version 2018 new build
• Hotels Version 2023 new build, version 2018 new build, version 2021 refurbishment
• Small residential buildings (up to 12 residential units) Version 2024 Small residential buildings Renovation / new construction
• Laboratory building version 2020 New building
• Logistics building version 2023 new build, version 2018 new build, version 2021 refurbishment
• Mixed use version 2023 new build, version 2018 new build, version 2021 refurbishment
• Parking garages Initial application New construction
• Production facilities version 2023 new build, version 2018 new build, version 2021 refurbishment
• Shopping center version 2023 new build, version 2018 new build, version 2021 refurbishment
• Sports halls Initial application New building
• Hypermarkets Version 2023 New build, Version 2018 New build, Version 2021 Refurbishment
• Assembly facilities version 2023 new build, version 2018 new build, version 2021 refurbishment
• Residential buildings (more than 5 residential units) Version 2023 New build, Version 2018 New build (more than 6 residential units), Version 2021 Refurbishment (more than 6 residential units)
• Housing for care properties Version 2023 New construction

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.

Advantages of DGNB certification

• Security right from the start: The DGNB pre-certificate ensures that the planned performance targets of a building are defined in the early planning phase and achieved on completion.
• Balance of economy and sustainability: Economic sustainability is valued just as highly as ecological and socio-cultural aspects.
• Better market opportunities: DGNB certification increases the attractiveness of a building for buyers and tenants through demonstrably high quality standards.
• Lower vacancy risk: The growing demand for certified properties ensures successful long-term re-letting.
• Easier financing: Banks often grant better conditions and faster loans for certified buildings.
• International comparability: DGNB-certified buildings are standardized worldwide and can be compared nationally and internationally.
• Individual assessment profiles: Different building types receive a customized assessment based on the DGNB system for market-driven certification.
• Early optimization: DGNB pre-certification supports holistic planning and identifies optimization potential for construction, operation, conversion and demolition at an early stage, which can be implemented cost-effectively. This keeps the focus on quality assurance right from the start.
• Defining and monitoring sustainability goals: The DGNB criteria catalog helps to define clear sustainability goals and sensitizes all parties involved to their implementation at an early stage. At the same time, it serves as a central instrument for quality assurance during the entire construction phase.
• Evaluating holistic building performance: Instead of specifying individual measures, the DGNB System sets target values for the overall performance of a building and thus promotes innovative and sustainable building concepts.