Depending on what stage your project is at, what type of building you want to certify, what evidence you need or whether you just want advice: The different experts trained by the DGNB have different core competencies that you should be aware of before you start your search.
On this page we have summarised the skills of our trained experts in DGNB Certification and related services.
Trained DGNB experts can be commissioned as independent sustainability consultants by the client, planners or construction companies. These experts may also be employed by the client's company (e.g. builder, general contractor, etc.) as internal sustainability consultants. In both cases, they are contractually independent of the DGNB.
In brief: the services of trained DGNB experts
A DGNB Auditor is a sustainability advisor and system user who has knowledge of the DGNB Systems for New Construction, Renovation and Interiors and applies this knowledge to your project in a targeted manner. Some DGNB Auditors have also specialised in the DGNB System for Districts through further training.
The auditor accompanies and documents your project according to the criteria of the DGNB System and submits it for pre-certification or certification. At the beginning, they can prepare a pre-check for your planned building project to see how your project performs in the overall system. Together with you, the desired award level (Silver, Gold or Platinum) and the measures required to achieve it are then determined. During the project, the auditor acts in an advisory capacity when it comes to the necessary steps in the certification process. They support and accompany you from the registration to the certification and to the awarding of your DGNB Certificate.
Your project can be registered by yourself, a DGNB Consultant or your DGNB Auditor. However, only your auditor can submit your project to the DGNB for an independent conformity check, as only they can compile and submit the necessary documents and answer any queries from the DGNB. DGNB Auditors are also qualified to accompany and submit your project for DGNB Certification in connection with the quality label "Qualitätssiegel Nachhaltiges Gebäude" for BEG funding at the DGNB.
For more information about the services of a DGNB Auditor, please see this document (download):
A DGNB Consultant is familiar with the DGNB Certification System and knows what is important for the practical application and optimal implementation of DGNB requirements in the design, planning and construction process. They can advise you on DGNB Certification and support a DGNB Auditor in monitoring and documenting certification projects. With regard to BEG funding, the DGNB Consultant acts in an advisory capacity, but cannot submit your project to the DGNB for certification. This requires collaboration with a DGNB Auditor.
A DGNB ESG-Manager is the DGNB Certification expert for sustainable and ESG-compliant real estate management using the DGNB System for Buildings In Use. They have the knowledge required to assess the sustainability of a building's operation, plan the necessary measures with you, monitor them consistently and, if necessary, identify and implement the measures required.
The DGNB ESG-Manager accompanies and documents the entire certification process of your existing building, advises you on the next steps during the project and submits your project to the DGNB for a conformity check.
The DGNB ESG-Manager is familiar with the regulatory requirements at national and European level (EU taxonomy). They are therefore qualified to carry out the ESG Verification for the EU Taxonomy and can submit this to the DGNB on your behalf for an independent conformity check.
Note: The DGNB ESG Manager training has been revised and divided into two new training tracks: DGNB-Examined Expert on EU Taxonomy and DGNB Auditor for Buildings In Use. The DGNB ESG Manager title entitles the holder to submit projects for certification under the DGNB Building In Use system as well as to submit ESG Verification for the EU Taxonomy.
You will also find DGNB Certification experts for buildings in use as DGNB Auditors for Buildings In Use. A DGNB-Examined Expert on EU Taxonomy can also assist you with ESG Verification for the EU Taxonomy.
The DGNB Auditor for Buildings In Use is the DGNB Certification expert for sustainable real estate management using the DGNB System for Buildings In Use. They have the knowledge required to assess the sustainability of a building's operation, plan the necessary measures with you, monitor them consistently and, if necessary, identify and implement the measures required. These experts can also draw up a climate action roadmap for your building to make it carbon neutral, or advise you on how to achieve this. The DGNB Auditor for Buildings In Use accompanies and documents the entire certification process of your existing building, advises you on the next steps during the project and submits your project to the DGNB for a conformity check.
DGNB Biodiversity Managers help the owners and operators of buildings to certify exterior spaces and building envelopes under the DGNB System. To do this, they become specialists in the DGNB System for Biodiversity-Promoting Exterior Spaces, which makes it easier to design and maintain properties on developed land, building façades and roofs such that they support the conservation of species and ecosystem diversity. DGNB Certification can be applied to the creation, maintenance, adaptation or care of exterior spaces.
A DGNB Biodiversity Manager accompanies and documents your exterior space project in accordance with the criteria of the DGNB System, not only advising at each stage of the project but also submitting your project to the DGNB for so-called conformity checks.
Further information on the services of a DGNB Biodiversity Manager can be found in this document (download – in German):
DGNB Construction Site Coordinators are the right choice if you want to organise and certify construction sites according to the criteria of the DGNB System for Sustainable Construction Sites. These experts have the necessary knowledge for the sustainable organisation of construction sites and are authorised to submit construction site projects for certification to the DGNB. They accompany property owners and holders throughout the entire certification process. The target groups for this certification, which is equally applicable to building construction and civil engineering projects, are primarily building owners, local authorities, construction companies and building departments.
The DGNB-Examined Expert on EU Taxonomy title recognises experts in ESG Verification for the EU Taxonomy. They are specialists in the verification of taxonomy projects and support portfolio managers and owners throughout the entire process.
DGNB-Examined Experts on EU Taxonomy...
- have in-depth knowledge of the evidence and requirements of the EU taxonomy for the economic activities 'Acquisition and Ownership', 'Renovation' and 'New Construction'.
- know how to address the environmental objectives 'Climate change adaptation' and 'Pollution prevention and control' of the EU taxonomy.
- are able to discuss with project stakeholders what evidence and documentation is needed to meet specific EU taxonomy requirements.
- are authorised to submit projects for ESG Verification for the EU Taxonomy to the DGNB.
A life cycle assessment (LCA) is required for the transparent presentation of a building's environmental impact and for the development of optimisation potential. It enables a holistic assessment of the entire life cycle of the building, taking into account the various phases from production through utilisation to the end of life. While life cycle assessment has always been used as a method in the context of DGNB Certification, it has now also been made mandatory in the funding programme 'Klimafreundlicher Neubau' of the German federal funding for sustainable building (BEG). Conducting a life cycle assessment is a prerequisite for building owners to be eligible for funding. The experts listed on this page can provide support in this regard.
DGNB-Examined Experts in Life Cycle Assessment...
- are familiar with the various ways in which life cycle assessments can be used both for new buildings and for existing buildings in the course of renovation and to achieve carbon neutral operation.
- are able to correctly interpret life cycle assessments and thus optimally advise building owners when making decisions.
- can critically reflect on and compare different scopes and results in relation to environmental impacts.
- can apply the DGNB Criterion ENV1.1 'Climate action and energy' as part of DGNB Certification and provide evidence of the additional requirements of the quality label 'Qualitätssiegel Nachhaltiges Gebäude' (QNG) in order to obtain BEG funding.
