The Pathway to Certification
Having a planned construction project certified takes only a few steps:
- Commissioning a DGNB auditor: The building owner chooses an auditor accredited by the DGNB for the scheme in question or someone who is currently taking part in the DGNB International Training.
- Project registration: The auditor registers the project for certification or precertification in cooperation with the building owner. Detailed information about the project, the building owner, and the auditor is needed for registration. Furthermore, the auditor indicates the date by which all documentation is scheduled to be submitted to DGNB for review. If the actual building type differs considerably from the scheme selected for certification (for example due to mixed use), the DGNB reserves the right to refuse the review. Registration therefore does not guarantee that a conformity inspection will be conducted or that the certification process will be carried out.
- Signing of contract: Upon registration, the building owner receives a project-specific contract required for the certification process. Once the contract has been signed and returned to the DGNB, the building owner receives a fee invoice.
- Conformity inspection: The auditor compiles all of the relevant project documentation and presents it to the DGNB for the review. The documentation must be compiled in accordance with the DGNB guidelines and criteria to simplify the review process; otherwise, the review cannot be carried out. As part of the conformity inspection, each project is thoroughly studied in two consecutive reviews. If the auditor or building owner insists on additional reviews (of no more than 10 criteria), the DGNB will charge an extra € 2,000. The conformity inspection can only be carried out after all certification fees have been paid. The building owner and auditor are generally informed of the final result of the inspection within 6 to 8 weeks.
- Awarding of Certificate: If the documentation submitted complies with the requirements for the DGNB certificate, the building owner will receive the Certificate or Pre-certificate for the construction project. Generally, the building owner receives the Certificate and, if applicable, the plaque by mail. If the owner would prefer to have the award presented at a special event, the DGNB should be informed in advance.
Participation in the pilot phase for the "New Office and Administrative Buildings" >>