DGNB Certifi­cation schemes

The requirements for DGNB Certification vary depending on the type of project

The specific requirements for DGNB Certification are set out in our criteria set, the DGNB System. There are several versions of the system. Which version of the DGNB System is relevant to your project depends largely on which phase of the life cycle your project is in and which scheme of building or district it is in.

Depending on the type of project, the basic structure of the certification system and the number of criteria to be taken into account can vary considerably. For example, while the DGNB System for New Construction of Buildings (Version 2018) uses up to 37 criteria from six topics, the DGNB System for Buildings In Use has only nine criteria from three topics.

An overview of the schemes for DGNB Certification

The certification of New Construction or Renovation of Buildings differs according to the scheme. The specific criteria to be applied depend on the version of the respective system. Within a version available for several schemes, there are differences in the composition and weighting of the individual criteria.

Educational buildingsVersion 2023 New Construction, Version 2018 New Construction, International Version 2020 New Construction, International Version 2022 RenovationAbout the scheme
Offices and administrative buildingsVersion 2023 New Construction, Version 2018 New Construction, International Version 2020 New Construction, International Version 2022 RenovationAbout the scheme
Department storesVersion 2023 New Construction, Version 2018 New Construction, International Version 2020 New Construction, International Version 2022 RenovationAbout the scheme
Healthcare buildingsVersion 2023 New Construction, Version 2018 New Construction, Version 2021 Renovation (currently only available in German)About the scheme
HotelsVersion 2023 New Construction, Version 2018 New Construction, International Version 2020 New Construction, International Version 2022 RenovationAbout the scheme
Small residential buildings (up to 6 residential units)Version 2013 New ConstructionAbout the scheme
Laboratory buildingsAdaption of Version 2020 New Construction International possibleAbout the scheme
Logistics buildingsVersion 2023 New Construction, Version 2018 New Construction, International Version 2020 New Construction, International Version 2022 RenovationAbout the scheme
Mixed useVersion 2023 New Construction, Version 2018 New Construction, International Version 2020 New Construction, International Version 2022 RenovationAbout the scheme
Car parksFirst application New ConstructionAbout the scheme
Production buildingsVersion 2023 New Construction, Version 2018 New Construction, International Version 2020 New Construction, International Version 2022 RenovationAbout the scheme
Shopping centresVersion 2023 New Construction, Version 2018 New Construction, International Version 2020 New Construction, International Version 2022 RenovationAbout the scheme
Sports hallsFirst application New ConstructionAbout the scheme
Consumer marketsVersion 2023 New Construction, Version 2018 New Construction, International Version 2020 New Construction, International Version 2022 RenovationAbout the scheme
Assembly buildingsVersion 2023 New Construction, Version 2018 New Construction, International Version 2020 New Construction, International Version 2022 RenovationAbout the scheme
Residential buildings (more than 6 residential units)Version 2023 New Construction, Version 2018 New Construction, International Version 2020 New Construction, International Version 2022 RenovationAbout the scheme
Other usesDGNB FlexAbout DGNB Flex

About DGNB System for New Construction

About DGNB System for Renovation

The DGNB System for the certification of districts has different schemes as well. There are also minor differences in the criteria to be applied and their weighting in the overall context of certification. Within the criteria, different requirements and evidence procedures are defined in some cases.

Urban Districts Version 2020About the scheme
Business DistrictsVersion 2020About the scheme
Commercial AreasVersion 2020About the scheme
Industrial SitesVersion 2020About the scheme

The first project applications are available for Event Areas, Resorts and Vertical Cities. If you are interested, please contact us directly.

About DGNB System for Districts

 

The DGNB System for Buildings In Use can be applied across all uses. Of the schemes for which certification is possible in new construction, only small residential buildings, car parks and sports halls cannot be certified with this scheme. Nine criteria in three topics must be processed.

About DGNB System for Buildings In Use

DGNB Certification for Interiors is currently available for the following schemes:

  • Office
  • Gastronomy
  • Hotel
  • Retail
  • Mixed Use
  • other uses (DGNB Flex)

Depending on the scheme, the validity of the certification (between 5 and 10 years), the number of criteria and their weighting vary.

About DGNB System for Interiors

The DGNB System for Deconstruction differs significantly from the other versions of certification in several points. This applies in particular to the procedure and the objectives. What is the same, however, is the holistic sustainability approach in the weighting of the total of twelve criteria as well as the certification logic with gradations in platinum, gold and silver. The system version for the deconstruction of buildings can be applied regardless of use.

About DGNB System for Deconstruction

The DGNB System for Construction Sites differs fundamentally from all other versions of DGNB Certification. It is designed to be cross-use and cross-system, and can therefore be used for all types of construction site projects. The structure of the system with its five criteria follows the processes of a construction site. The holistic sustainability approach of the certification is only recognisable at second glance, as this is taken into account within the individual criteria. Furthermore, there is no gradation in the evaluation, but a uniform certification upon achievement of a minimum performance index.

About DGNB System for Construction Sites

 


System variant: Special civil engineering

In addition, the DGNB has developed a system variant specifically for the field of special civil engineering. The system is currently being applied to the first projects as part of the initial application and is undergoing final testing. Interested parties have the opportunity to actively participate with their projects.

More on the System for Special cicil engineering

Download the DGNB Criteria Sets

Here you can find the current DGNB Certification Criteria Sets for download free of charge. To download the pdf documents, you only need to be registered in our digital network platform myDGNB.

If you need the criteria sets for the DGNB System for Construction Sites as well as the schemes of New Construction Small Residential Buildings, Laboratory Buildings or Sports Halls, please send an email to zertifizierung@dgnb.de. Upon request, we will send them to you.

Document|pdf|English|15 MB

DGNB Criteria Set New Construction Buildings, Version 2020 International

Document|pdf|English|10 MB

DGNB Criteria Set Districts, Version 2020

Document|pdf|English|4 MB

DGNB Criteria Set Buildings In Use, Version 2020

Document|pdf|English|12 MB

DGNB Criteria Set Renovation of Buildings, Version 2022 International

Document|pdf|German|9 MB

DGNB Criteria Set New Construction Buildings, Version 2023

Publication: 01.07.2023
Currently only available in German.
Document|pdf|German|13 MB

DGNB Criteria Set New Construction Buildings, Version 2018

Please note: This criteria set is in German.
Document|pdf|German|12 MB

DGNB Criteria Set Renovation, Version 2021

Please note: This criteria set is in German.
Document|pdf|German|16 MB

DGNB Criteria Set Districts, Version 2020

Please note: This criteria set is in German.
Document|pdf|German|4 MB

DGNB Criteria Set Buildings in Use, Version 2020

Please note: This criteria set is in German.
Document|pdf|German|5 MB

DGNB Criteria Set Interiors, Version 2018

Please note: This criteria set is in German.
Document|pdf|German|4 MB

DGNB Criteria Set Deconstruction of Buildings

Please note: This criteria set is in German.
Document|zip|German|11 MB

DGNB Criteria Set New Construction Small Residential Buildings, Version 2013

Please note: This criteria set is in German.
Document|pdf|18 MB

DGNB Criteria Set New Construction Buildings, Version 2020 International, China


Your contact

Ralf Pimiskern

Director DGNB Certification