Both Germany and France have developed their own sustainability certification systems for construction projects. These systems, whilst based on the same basic principals are the products of two different cultures offering different but complimentary approaches.
The DGNB Certification
The DGNB System provides an objective description and assessment of the sustainability of buildings and urban districts. Quality is assessed comprehensively over the entire life cycle of the building. Due to its flexibility it can be tailored precisely to various uses of a building and even to meet country-specific requirements
The certification system is organised around six quality sections:
The system is based on voluntarily outperforming the concepts that are common or usual today. The certification is awarded according to 50 qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated criteria. Depending on the level attained, the project is awarded either a gold, silver or bronze certificate.
and Cerway
NF & HQETM Certification
The “Haute Qualité Environnementale NF HQETM” is the French certification awarded by the independent certification organisation Certivea.
It consists of:
(referred to as SME/SMO) in which the project manager
sets and tracks his objectives.
building (QEB), taking into account 14 key technical,
architectural and economic goals (ecological approach
to building; ecological approach to building
management; health and comfort).
A performance profile is defined for each objective
identified, which is then evaluated to ascertain the
level achieved as follows:
There is also an international version of the HQETM
certification and a version “in use” to recognise companies
and projects which place exceptional value and importance
on sustainability. More information may be found at:
In addition, there is the option of simple pre-certification in the planning phase.The DGNB Certification System can be also applied internationally. Further information: www.DGNB.com and www.DGNB-International.com
