The building sector has a key role to play in realising our sustainability and climate action goals as well as all the multiple challenges associated with them. The effects of climate change can only be limited through the immediate and massive reduction of CO2 emissions. It is about the adequate, preventive adaptation of our built environment to the increasingly far-reaching changes of the climate. About preserving natural resources and ecosystems to protect our livelihoods. About achieving geopolitical independence via a consistently circular approach to planning and construction. And all of this in a way that has positive effects for people as building users and is economically sensible and affordable in the long term.
The DGNB System for New Construction of Buildings was developed against this very background. As a planning and optimisation tool, the new system version provides targeted support to builders, project developers, architects and planners in finding the best individual solutions for their projects. The connectivity to other assessment schemes such as the EU taxonomy, the quality label "Qualitätssiegel Nachhaltiges Gebäude" (QNG), the EU reporting framework Level(s) as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were taken into account.
Key points of the DGNB System for New Construction of Buildings at a glance
The DGNB System for New Construction, Buildings is aimed at anyone planning, implementing and/or owning a new construction project. This may include project development firms, housing associations, building owners, local authorities or private individuals.
Separate system variants for small residential buildings and certification in an international context
- Would you like to certify a new-construction residential project with a maximum of twelve residential units? The DGNB has developed a separate system variant for this purpose. Go to the DGNB System for the renovation or new construction of small residential buildings.
- The DGNB has also developed a separate system variant for the certification of projects outside Germany in countries, where the DGNB has no local system partners. A key feature of this system variant is its maximum flexibility with regard to country-specific conditions. To the DGNB System New Construction, Buildings, International
The DGNB System for New Construction of Buildings is applicable for the following uses:
- Educational buildings
To the scheme
- Office and administrative buildings
To the scheme
- DGNB Flex
More about DGNB Flex
- Department stores
To the scheme
- Healthcare buildings
To the scheme
- Hotels
To the scheme
- Logistics buildings
To the scheme
- Mixed use
To the scheme
- Production buildings
To the scheme
- Shopping centres
To the scheme
- Consumer markets
To the scheme
- Assembly buildings
To the scheme
- Residential buildings (since 2023 version: more than 5 residential units)
To the scheme
Please note: For small residential buildings, since 1 July 2024 the current DGNB System for the Renovation or New Construction of small residential buildings (up to 12 residential units), Version 2024, applies.
- In addition, there are some schemes that are currently in their pilot phase. You can find an overview of all schemes here. If your project type is not yet included in the DGNB System, you can find all the information about DGNB Flex here.
The DGNB has also developed a separate system variant for the certification of projects outside Germany in countries, where the DGNB has no local system partners. A key feature of this system variant is its maximum flexibility with regard to country-specific conditions. To the DGNB System New Construction, Buildings, International
During the development of the 2023 version of the certification system for new constructions, optimum compatibility with other DGNB assessment systems was ensured. This applies to the variants of the DGNB System for Buildings In Use, for sustainable construction sites and the DGNB System for Deconstruction.
In addition, the criteria of the DGNB System are harmonised with the requirements of other systems and classifications. This means that anyone carrying out DGNB Certification will not have any parallel documentation requirements, but can use the DGNB Certificate as a verification tool for national and international standards. The DGNB has carried out such a system harmonisation for the following systems:
- EU taxonomy
- EU reporting framework Level(s)
- Quality label "Qualitätssiegel Nachhaltiges Gebäude" (QNG), to which the Federal Subsidy for Efficient Buildings (BEG) is linked
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations
In the criteria set, the relevance of the individual DGNB criteria for the respective systems is marked with an icon. You can find out how they relate to each other in the system comparison documents.
Certification criteria
Rather than assessing individual measures, constructions or building components, the DGNB System evaluates a building's overall performance based on specific criteria. It is based on three key sustainability areas: ecology, economy and socio-cultural aspects. Each topic area accounts for 25 per cent of the overall evaluation. As part of a holistic approach, the DGNB System also evaluates the site (5 per cent of the overall evaluation) and technical and procedural quality (10 per cent of the overall evaluation each).
Current versions of the DGNB Criteria Set for New Construction
In response to changing market conditions and calls for a reduction in bureaucracy and the administrative burden of the certification process, the DGNB has been working intensively over the past few months on ways to simplify the process without compromising its substantive ambitions. Specifically, it has further developed the DGNB System for New Construction under the working title 'Version 2023.2' through an intensive participatory process.
Certification in accordance with the DGNB System New Construction, Buildings can currently be applied for in versions 2023 and 2023.2. From 1 October 2026, version 2023.2 will fully replace version 2023 as the valid market version.
Please note: Currently, the version 2023.2 is only available in German.
DGNB System New Construction, Buildings, Version 2023
You can register for the 2023 system version until 30 September 2026.
More about the criteria and key features of the 2023 version
The criteria for download
DGNB Criteria Set New Construction, Buildings, Version 2023.2 | Preliminary version
DGNB Criteria Set New Construction Buildings, Version 2023
Award
As with the other DGNB Certification Systems, the DGNB System for New Construction of Buildings assesses fulfilment levels. The overall degree of fulfilment is calculated from the assessment of the individual criteria. The highest award level is Platinum.
From an overall degree of fulfilment of 50 percent, the building receives the DGNB Certificate Silver. From a degree of fulfilment of 65 percent, the DGNB Certificate Gold is awarded. For a DGNB Certificate Platinum, the project must achieve an overall degree of fulfilment of at least 80 percent.
The DGNB aims to promote a uniformly high quality of buildings. The overall degree of fulfilment alone is therefore not sufficient for a certificate. In the topic areas of ecological, economic as well as socio-cultural and functional quality, a minimum degree of fulfilment must be achieved in each topic area in order to receive the corresponding award. For Platinum, for example, a degree of fulfilment of at least 65 percent is required in these first three subject areas. A degree of fulfilment of at least 50 percent is a prerequisite for a certificate in Gold. For Silver, the threshold is 35 per cent per topic area.
DGNB Diamond
In addition, projects that have received DGNB Gold or Platinum can also be recognised for their outstanding design and architectural quality by being awarded the DGNB Diamond. All information on the DGNB Diamond can be found here.
Selected DGNB certified projects
Department Stores
Educational Buildings
Project registration
Registration note for different system versions
Projects can still be registered in version 2023 of the DGNB System for New Construction until 30 September 2026. Registration for the updated version 2023.2 is also already possible. The criteria for version 2023.2 are expected to be available in the DGNB System Software from July 2026 onwards. From 1 October, version 2023.2 will replace version 2023.
For projects that have already been registered, the system version valid at the time of registration generally applies. However, it is possible to switch to the new version in consultation with the certification body.
Projects that are already registered for certification in accordance with the DGNB System New Construction of Buildings , Version 2018 must submit the signed contract documents to the DGNB by 31 October 2024.
Projects that are aiming for the quality label "Qualitätssiegel Nachhaltiges Gebäude" and have submitted a PCQ request to the DGNB by 31 July 2024 can still register their project for certification in accordance with the DGNB System New Construction of Buildings, Version 2018 until 31 December 2024. The contract documents must be signed and received by the DGNB by 28 February 2025.
For all other projects, registration is only possible in accordance with the 2023 version (since 1 December 2023).
The most important information on the dgnb system for new construction of Buildings, version 2018
Specific applications
Within the scope of certification for new construction, there are further award and application options that address potential special features in construction projects. These specific applications include:
Further information
Certification assistance for DGNB Silver
Driving the green transformation in Europe
Frequently asked questions
There are four major urban development projects in Hamburg under the management of HafenCity Hamburg GmbH and its subsidiaries: HafenCity, Billebogen, Grasbrook and Science City Hamburg Bahrenfeld. In an effort to realise consistently high sustainability standards in the neighbourhoods, sustainability certification has been a prerequisite for the allocation of land here since 2010. Since 2017, it has also been mandatory for all new buildings to achieve the highest award of HafenCity's own certification system. In 2023, this was replaced by a new award developed in cooperation with the DGNB: the DGNB special award Ecolabel. The DGNB special award Ecolabel covers key aspects of the previously independent "HafenCity 3.0 Ecolabel" and combines them with the benefits of the DGNB System.