FAQs Multiple Certification

For all DGNB schemes (except small residential buildings/prefabricated houses ≤ 6 residential units), which are identical in construction but at different locations.

The general system requirements for the scheme must be met.

The processes, building qualities and properties defined in the model building description must apply as far as possible to all projects to be certified, which thus cover a large number of specified DGNB criteria. Building criteria that cannot be represented in a standardized way are handled and submitted on a project-specific basis. These deviations should be coordinated with the DGNB.

The DGNB offers a widely recognised and independent certificate that is defined by clear guidelines and processes. The multiple certification creates a common baseline for all projects, which is documented in the model building description or in the specification sheet.

Advantages:

• greatly reduced documentation effort
• faster processing of the certification processes
• lower certification fees
• For follow-up projects, an individual DGNB Certificate and a plaque will also be issued
• independent quality award and comparability
• thus better market positioning
• increased market opportunities with rising demand
• documentation for CSR reports
• future-proof buildings
• higher client satisfaction
• any advantages in terms of financing
• if applicable, advantages with regard to the further sale of the building (letting, sale)
• active environmental protection

The DGNB Certificate offers a higher efficiency of the building project, a higher building quality through energy-efficient and low-emission buildings. In addition to low energy costs, it thus creates a considerable increase in the quality of work, life and living.

Yes, a DGNB auditor is required to submit the supporting documents for the initial certificate and subsequent projects. In addition, they are an important consultant and sustainability expert for the assessment (pre-check) of the certification rating and optimisation potential of the model building description. In cooperation with the auditor, the client optimises the model building description with variant investigations and the resulting minimum requirements for achieving the desired certification or the overall degree of fulfillment.

In cooperation with the auditor, the client compiles the sample construction description with variant investigations.

The sample construction description consists of:

• Service description: It describes pre-existing standard processes, applied materials, building components and TGA (heating, ventilation systems, fittings...), operating concepts and quality measures (blower door test, sound insulation etc.)
• Architectural and engineering services
• Care instructions, if applicable
• Quality standards, if applicable
• Descriptions of building automation, if applicable
• Information on civil engineering, outdoor facilities and construction site equipment, if applicable
• If necessary room books

As a rule, this already exists at the applicant and will be adapted, if necessary, in consultation with the auditor and in accordance with the DGNB Certification.

In cooperation with a DGNB auditor, the client defines which criteria can be verified in a variant study by means of the model building description or are project-specific.

The assessment of the project-specific verification is carried out according to the "worst-case scenario",  standard principle or according to the purely project-dependent considerations, depending on the relevance.

In this context, the auditor must demonstrate how the commonalities of the individual buildings (with regard to materials, floor plans, building services engineering, etc.) can be ensured. The multiple certifications carried out so far have shown that approx. 70% (average value of all multiple certified projects) of the criteria and their documentation is covered by the underlying model building description. For this, no further proof is required for the projects to be certified.

Common/generally valid bases can be, for example, the building description, the building materials used and companies/operators carrying out the work, etc.

Examples of verification:

• Life cycle assessment: Submission of a sample calculation with variant studies, including different energy sources and building materials.
• Pollutants: Preparation of a list of relevant materials and substances and proof of conformity with regard to the objective of the quality level to be achieved in accordance with DGNB requirements (information on VOC content and GISCODE-s).
• Drinking water requirements: sample calculation with variant investigations (due to different number of users and fittings etc.) with indication of the upper limit.
• Life cycle costs: Sample calculation taking into account regional variance of costs and price increase index.
• Thermal comfort: the worst case scenario (worst case) is usually proven.
• Process quality: definition and proof of standard processes.
• The DGNB minimum requirement for specific proofs must be checked by the auditor (indoor hygiene measurement).

After initial certification, the project-specific specifications are compiled by the DGNB. It serves as the basis for the corresponding individual certifications of the buildings and defines the type and scope of the submission documents that are still required. Lists are used to present, among other things, defined and purely project-specific/variable criteria.

The costs for the initial certificate of a multiple certification are fixed and amount to € 20,000 for DGNB members and € 30,000 for non-members. For subsequent projects, the costs are defined project-specifically, as they depend on the number of variable DGNB criteria that still need to be verified.