Successful accreditations of certification bodies for the award of the QNG

With the “Sustainable Building Quality Seal (QNG)”, the German federal government offers a government seal of quality for assessing the sustainability of buildings. The QNG is reviewed and awarded by accredited certification bodies whose technical competence and independence are monitored by Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle (DAkkS) in its capacity as the national accreditation authority. With the end of the introduction period for the quality seal on 31 May 2024, there are four certification bodies with accreditation in this scope.

The transitional arrangements for recognised assessment systems for residential and non-residential buildings that applied during the introduction period are no longer valid. To operate and provide certification in the area of awarding the QNG, accreditation has been obligatory for certification bodies since 1 June 2024.

Requirements for certifiers and the certified

In the accreditation process, certification bodies must provide evidence to DAkkS that they fulfil and continuously adhere to the general requirements of DIN EN ISO/IEC 17065 and the specific criteria applicable in this area.

However, the requirements for the certification of buildings for the award of the government “Sustainable Building Quality Seal” arise from the special requirements of the “Assessment System for Sustainable Building” (BNB) and the particular certification scheme in question. The focus here is on the technical, functional, environmental, socio-cultural and economic quality of buildings and on the quality of the planning and construction processes. Evidence of fulfilment of the requirements must be provided by an independent inspection after completion on the basis of the completed planning and construction processes and a review of selected qualities achieved.

Accredited certification bodies

The database of accredited bodies on the DAkkS website (search term “QNG”) provides an overview of all certifiers accredited in the area of QNG:

Link to the DAkkS database

Sustainable Building Quality Seal

The Sustainable Building Quality Seal (QNG) is awarded by the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building. The QNG promotes a uniform understanding of sustainability while at the same time creating a legally certain basis for the allocation of funding. Its goal is to establish the objectives and principles of sustainable planning, construction and operation in the German construction and property industry.

For consumers, comfort and functionality are key requirements for sustainable buildings, while the use of resources and reduction of negative environmental impacts are also important factors relevant to society with regard to sustainable planning, construction and operation in the construction and property industry.

External link to the Sustainable Building Quality Seal information portal