Department stores

Certify sustainable department stores with the DGNB

Commercial buildings with one or more shops as well as department stores, department stores with shop-in-shop solutions or outlet centres characterise the appearance of city centres. In addition to the actual business premises, commercial buildings are also characterised by common areas such as customer sanitary facilities, parking spaces or social rooms for employees. A high quality of stay and accessibility are particularly important for this type of building in order to be attractive for customers. A DGNB Sustainability Certificate for Department Stores can support this as a planning and quality assurance tool.

The current DGNB Systems "New Construction of Buildings, Version 2018" and "Buildings In Use, Version 2020" apply to department stores. The current DGNB Systems "New Construction of Building, Version 2020 International" and "Renovation of Buildings, Version 2022 International" apply to international projects. Exceptions are projects that have already been pre-certified with a previous market version. These projects may also be registered for the certificate in the same version.

  • Contribution to climate action through reduced emissions of greenhouse gases over the entire life cycle
  • High comfort
  • Increased well-being
  • Increased attractiveness for employees and customers
  • Increased productivity and performance of employees
  • Low vacancy risk
  • High building flexibility due to e.g. easier adaptations in case of changes (operating processes; personnel)
  • Lower costs for conversions
  • Lower operating and maintenance costs
  • Advantages when selling real estate

The certificate is aimed at all those who want to plan and build department stores. These can be project development offices, companies as owner-occupiers or real estate funds. Anyone who wants to purchase such a property or rent it for use can use the DGNB Certificate as independently verified proof of the holistic quality of the building.

  • Holistic consideration of all relevant sustainability requirements
  • Transparent and independent quality award and assurance during planning, construction and operation
  • Transparency with regard to ressource efficency and emissions
  • Communication of the project to the public and increase of acceptance
  • International applicability and comparability
  • Reduced effort for DGNB Certification of Buildings due to the creditability of documentation from district certification
  • Basis for sale in sustainable real estate funds
  • Certification as an option for sustainable investments
  • Contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • High value stability
  • Higher return on investment
  • High degree of future security through reduction of cost-intensive risks

The scheme considers the central development, supply and management areas with fit-out (KG 300 and 400) and partly the tenant fit-out.

Selected DGNB certified projects

BOSS Outlet Metzingen
BOSS Outlet Metzingen, Metzingen
Buildings New Construction
Department Stores
Kö-Bogen II, Düsseldorf
Kö-Bogen II, Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf
Buildings New Construction
Department Stores

Available criteria sets in English

Document|pdf|English|14 MB

DGNB Criteria Set New Construction Buildings, Version 2018

Document|pdf|English|4 MB

DGNB Criteria Set Buildings In Use, Version 2020

Document|pdf|English|15 MB

DGNB Criteria Set New Construction Buildings, Version 2020 International

Document|pdf|English|12 MB

DGNB Criteria Set Renovation of Buildings, Version 2022 International

Overview of all
criteria and schemes

In order to address the individual characteristics of your building project, the DGNB System takes into account a variety of criteria and schemes.
You can find an overview here.

Overview of all criteria and schemes

Project registration

To register a project, clients must first hire a DGNB Auditor. This auditor can then register the project. Auditors also accompany the entire process and take over the verification and submission to the DGNB. They are active worldwide and specialise in certain schemes.

The current DGNB Systems "New Construction of Buildings, Version 2018" and "Buildings In Use, Version 2020" apply to department stores. The current DGNB Systems "New Construction of Building, Version 2020 International" and "Renovation of Buildings, Version 2022 International" apply to international projects.

Find a DGNB auditor

Scale of fees

project registration


Your contact

Andrea Schwitalla

Andrea Schwitalla

Certification