Certification is a central element of the DGNB's activities and serves, among other things, as a planning and management tool for projects to be certified. In order to do justice to the many facets of sustainability, the DGNB System takes into account up to six subject areas, depending on the system variant, in which various criteria must be fulfilled for certification. The DGNB System can now be applied to new construction projects, renovations, buildings in use, construction sites, deconstruction, interiors, exterior spaces and districts. But how exactly does the certification process for such projects work? Which experts need to be involved? And when should they ideally be involved? To clear up any uncertainties, we would like to take a step-by-step look at the certification process here.
From finding experts to getting the DGNB Certificate.
Basically, the certification process is comprised of three phases:
- Preparation for certification
- Pre-certification (optional)
- Certification
In each phase, there are formalities to be observed in terms of what agreements, contracts and submissions are required.
Clients, such as building owners, property owners or institutions, can use the DGNB's search for experts to find the right DGNB certification expert for their project:
- DGNB Auditors: New construction (buildings and districts) and renovations (buildings)
- DGNB ESG Manager: Buildings in use
DGNB auditors often specialise in specific schemes.
DGNB Consultants are not yet authorised to accompany certification projects on their own.
Once the right DGNB expert has been found for their project, the client contacts the respective expert and arranges an initial consultation meeting. Important key points are clarified here. These include:
- The desired award level (silver, gold, platinum)
- Is a pre-certificate or a certificate wanted?
- The current project/performance phase of the project
Following the initial meeting, the DGNB certification expert usually carries out a pre-check to assess whether the project is basically certifiable and what certification result can be expected based on current planning data. The pre-check also includes coordination meetings with selected project participants. At the end of the pre-check, the results are summarised in a report.
The project can now be registered for certification in the DGNB System Software. To register, please provide the gross floor area, the name of the person or institution that is the client, and, if applicable, their legal representatives and the project managers. In addition to DGNB certification experts, registration can also be carried out by any other person.. A DGNB ESG Manager or DGNB Auditor is not yet required for this step. However, the person registering the project must also be registered in the DGNB System Software if they are not already registered. Alternatively, DGNB certification experts can carry out the project registration after the contract has been signed (see step 4).
Please note: The project registration should not be confused with project submission, where a project to be certified is submitted to the DGNB for review. In contrast to a registration, a DGNB certification expert is mandatory for the subsequent submission and verification for certification.
As part of the certification process, clients must conclude two contracts. One with the DGNB certification expert and one with the DGNB. There is explicitly no contractual relationship between the certification expert and the DGNB regarding the certification process in order to ensure the greatest possible independence of the certification expert.
- Contract with the DGNB certification expert: This contract regulates the tasks that the certification expert takes on and the corresponding fee for these services. This centrally includes compiling and submitting the required documents for verification. It is optional, but recommended, to involve DGNB certification experts in the planning and construction process as consultants and for the management of sustainability issues. The certification experts can also take on specialist planning services.
- Certification contract with DGNB GmbH: This regulates the allocation of roles, fees on the part of the DGNB, processes and obligations to co-operate. In order for the certification contract to be drawn up, the project to be certified must first be registered in the DGNB System Software.
Information on the certification fees charged by the DGNB can be found here.
After successful registration, the project first goes through the pre-certification process or directly through the certification process, depending on the agreement. The DGNB certification expert accompanies this process and provides the services specified in the contract with the client. In addition, the certification expert is the contact person for all certification matters in this phase and coordinates the project participants.
The project data entered into the system software by the certification expert and the supporting documents are checked for plausibility by the DGNB certification body (plausibility check) if a pre-certificate is intended, and the pre-certificate is issued.
The pre-certification is followed by the process for regular certification. Optionally, a certificate can be sought directly. For this, the project, e.g. a new building, must first be completed and commissioned. Only then can it be submitted for confirmation (conformity check). There may be a second conformity check, during which any missing evidence can be submitted. The DGNB then issues a certificate for the level of certification achieved.
How to achieve DGNB silver – our certification guide shows an example of how it's done (German only)
