In close cooperation with our network, which represents the entire value chain of the building and real estate industry, we work continuously to integrate new developments into the DGNB System as early as possible and to drive innovation.
The DGNB welcomes feedback and participation in its new and further developments. Opportunities for participation can be open formats where anyone can participate, programmes for technical experts, or defined committee and expert groups. Here you will find an overview of the current system developments and your opportunities to participate and contribute. For more information on the content, the specific target group and contact persons, please click on the respective topic.
Please note that all DGNB Systems listed here are currently under development. It is not possible to provide a preliminary criteria set. Exceptions to this are DGNB Systems for which the annotation phase has already begun.
Ongoing System Developments
Development of a market version of the DGNB System for Sustainable Construction Sites
In cooperation with the Austrian Sustainable Building Council (ÖGNI), the DGNB is further developing its certification system for sustainable construction sites. The system has been in its initial application phase since 2021 and is now to be transferred to a market version.
As a planning and management tool for both building construction and civil engineering projects, the certification system helps building owners, construction companies and local authorities with quality assurance and risk minimisation, and sets comprehensive sustainability standards for the construction site process. It is designed to be cross-functional and cross-system, and can therefore be applied to all types of construction site projects. The certification process covers everything from the planning of the construction site to its completion.
Feedback from initial users was collected through a survey, and existing certification projects were evaluated as part of the preparatory phase.
The revised version was open for public comment until 31 October 2025. Based on the comments received, the market version is expected to be finalised in spring 2026. The translated crieria set will be published soon.
If you have any questions, please contact the system development team (sustainable construction site) by email at baustelle@dgnb.de.
Sustainable transport infrastructure
When discussing ways to reduce CO2 emissions in the construction sector, one major lever is often overlooked: infrastructure projects. For this reason, the DGNB is currently developing a certification system for transport infrastructure. It covers sections of road and rail infrastructure projects with associated engineering structures.
The new certification system will enable public clients, construction companies and planners to evaluate and manage transport infrastructure projects in terms of their sustainability across all life cycle phases for the first time.
Now that the initial criteria have been tested in a pilot project, they are being applied to other projects and refined during the second pilot phase. The focus here is on evaluating projects, taking into account the three schemes (rural roads, urban roads and railways) as well as various planning phases.
We very much welcome your involvement in the system development process. There are a variety of ways in which you can get involved. Would you like to play an active role, or do you have a specific project for the second pilot phase on which you would like to test the criteria? If so, please feel free to email us at infrastruktur@dgnb.de. We look forward to benefiting from your expertise and commitment!
To stay informed about the current status of system development, join the public group ‘Nachhaltige Verkehrsinfrastruktur’ (German) on our network platform myDGNB.
Sustainable Bridges
Many local authorities have bridge renovations or replacement bridge construction projects on their agendas, which are to be carried out in a sustainable manner. To this end, the DGNB is currently developing a scheme for sustainable bridges to ensure that decisions can be made on the basis of sustainability factors. In the long term, this will be integrated into the DGNB System for Sustainable Transport Infrastructure as an additional scheme, applicable to both renovations and new constructions.
For the first time, the new scheme will enable public clients, construction companies and planners to evaluate the sustainability of bridge structures across all life cycle phases and manage design processes accordingly.
Following the initial workshops with experts from the 'Bridges' working group, the first draft versions of the criteria are now available. These are currently being developed and refined collectively with the ‘Brücken’ working group through a series of workshops. The aim is to develop a set of criteria by the end of 2026 that can be put out for public consultation and implemented.
We very much welcome your involvement in the system development process. There are a variety of ways in which you can get involved. Would you like to play an active role, or do you have a specific project in mind? If so, please feel free to email us at infrastruktur@dgnb.de. We look forward to benefiting from your expertise and commitment!
To stay up to date with the latest developments regarding the new scheme, please join the public group ‘Nachhaltige Verkehrsinfrastruktur’ (German) on our network platform myDGNB.
Sustainable exhibitions
Exhibitions have a high social value. They impart knowledge, stimulate discussion and create space for encounters. At the same time, they often involve high resource consumption – especially in the case of temporary formats with complex logistics and a short lifespan.
In order to strengthen the sustainability aspects of exhibitions, we are currently developing a variable criteria set for museums, designers and curators. We are developing a system that integrates sustainability into exhibitions from conception to dismantling – whether for individual trade fair stands or museum exhibitions with short- and long-term durations. The content covers topics such as energy supply, circular resource planning and life cycle costs. It promotes resource-saving and circular practices as well as the use of fair materials. Requirements relating to climate adaptation, biodiversity and social aspects are also taken into account.
There are currently no opportunities to get involved. We will launch the system in a pilot phase. Projects can then be submitted for certification. Project leaders who are interested are invited to submit their exhibition as one of the first projects and play an active role in the roll-out of the system.
Comprehensive upgrade of the DGNB System for New Construction Buildings, Version 2020 International
We are currently working on a comprehensive upgrade to the existing DGNB System for New Construction Buildings, Version 2020 International. The aim of revising the system, which was designed for international use, is to adapt it to the requirements of the DGNB System for New Construction, Version 2023.
System Developments recently completed
- DGNB System New Construction Buildings, Version 2023.2
- DGNB System Biodiversity-Promoting Exterior Spaces, Version 2023 (pilot phase)
- DGNB System Small Residential Buildings Renovation / New Construction, Version 2024
- DGNB System Buildings In Use, Version 2026
- DGNB System Existing Districts and Renovation, Version 2026
Your contact
Dr. Kathrin Quante
Deputy Director / Manager System Development
- Phone: +49-711-722322-87
- Email: k.quante@dgnb.de