Building certification label DGNB
Find out more about DGNB sustainability certification for buildings here.
DGNB certification
(German Sustainable Building Council)
The German certification system DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council) was developed 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 responsibility. Other aspects are also included for a holistic view. Within these areas, points are awarded for various criteria and indicators that are adapted to individual usage profiles and thus make the overall performance of the building assessable.
DGNB certification is suitable for the following product groups:
- Office and administration building
- Commercial buildings
- Industrial buildings
- Residential building
- Small residential buildings
- Hotel buildings
- Educational buildings
- Healthcare buildings
- Laboratory building
- Mixed use
- Urban quarters
- Office and commercial districts
Award criteria for DGNB sustainability certification
Points are awarded in the following six environmental categories:
- Ecological quality: resource efficiency, emission avoidance and ecological impact
- Economic quality: life cycle costs, value retention and flexibility
- Sociocultural and functional quality: user comfort, health promotion and functionality
- Technical quality: Technical design, availability and ease of maintenance
- Process quality: planning and construction process, quality control
- Location quality: transport connections, infrastructure and environmental impact at the location
DGNB: Certification body
The German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) itself is responsible for certification in accordance with the DGNB system.
Costs for DGNB certification
The cost of DGNB certification varies depending on the size of the project, the type of building and DGNB membership status. Typically, the costs are made up of the following components:
- Registration fee: One-off fee to register the project.
- Certification fee: Dependent on the gross floor area (GFA) of the project.
- Consultancy costs: If a DGNB consultant is commissioned.
Is the DGNB label mandatory?
DGNB certification is a voluntary measure that building owners and project developers can choose in order to assess and prove the sustainability and quality of their buildings.
Recognition of DGNB sustainability certification for certification systems
The DGNB sustainability certification is internationally recognized and compatible with systems such as LEED and BREEAM. Cooperation agreements, such as the “Crosswalk” agreement with GBCI, facilitate the mutual recognition of certifications.
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