What is a green building certificate?

A green building certificate is an independent tool or methodology used to assess the sustainability of buildings and/or urban blocks throughout the entire lifecycle of a project.

The standard procedure for any construction project seeking certification typically includes:

• Pre-check
• Pre-certificate
• Certificate

• Certification of buildings – reasons and benefits?

  Why Many Investors, Developers, and Architectural Firms in Europe Choose DGNB Certification, a large number of investors, developers, and architectural firms across Europe have chosen DGNB to certify their projects in order to:

  • Align their projects with the requirements of the EU Taxonomy Regulation
  • Monitor and demonstrate compliance with a total of 38 sustainability criteria – DGNB International Version 2020 (with increasing use of the International Version 2023)
  • Ensure high project quality from planning and design to construction, maintenance, and building management
  • Optimize total investment costs and reduce risks throughout the project’s lifecycle (lower operational costs during use, higher project value at sale, increased rental income – applying Life Cycle Cost methodology)
  • Leverage all key factors to demonstrate sustainability in combating climate change – Life Cycle Assessment, Energy Efficiency, E-mobility, and Renewable Energy
  • Achieve a benchmark and marketing tool – Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze certificates provide a relevant and comprehensive confirmation of sustainability
  • Focus on the well-being of people as end-users – health & wellbeing, safety, and ecology, thereby demonstrating social responsibility

  (Source: www.gbccroatia.org)

• What are the certification criteria?

  The DGNB certificate is a set of tools that prove the sustainability of a project throughout its life, in 6 categories:

  • Ecological
  • Economical
  • Socio-cultural
  • Technical
  • Procedural
  • Locational
• How does the certification process work?

  The DGNB certification system provides investors with guidance from the conceptual design stage, enabling early identification of potential issues and maximizing green elements, all the way to project completion, with measurable and transparent outcomes.

  Preparation of documentation for obtaining a DGNB certificate runs in parallel with the design process and other preparatory activities that precede obtaining a building permit and constructing the building.

  The procedure consists of the following steps:

  • The investor (or building/project owner) finds a suitable DGNB consultant/auditor who manages the certification process on behalf of the client. The consultant/auditor supports the project from registration through the completion of the entire certification process. The consultant/auditor’s fees are covered by the investor.
    The client signs a contract with the DGNB consultant/auditor and notifies the Croatia Green Building Council (CGBC/HSZG) of their intention to certify via dgnb@gbccroatia.org.
  • The consultant/auditor registers the project in the DGNB project database.
  • CGBC/HSZG and the client sign a contract outlining the obligations of both parties and the cost of compliance verification and issuance of the DGNB certificate.
  • The consultant/auditor submits the necessary documentation for certification to CGBC/HSZG for quality review.
    CGBC/HSZG reviews the project documentation and verifies compliance with DGNB certification rules. If needed, clarifications or additional documentation may be requested from the DGNB consultant/auditor.
  • If the submitted documentation meets DGNB criteria, CGBC/HSZG issues an invoice to the client and then issues the DGNB certificate for the registered project.

  (Source: https://gbccroatia.org/procedura-certificiranja/

• How is a project applied for certification?

  A project is registered for DGNB certification by completing the PCQ – Project Certification Questionnaire with the assistance of an independent DGNB consultant/auditor, who, in agreement with the client, defines all elements of the future certification process.

  Afterwards, the DGNB consultant/auditor submits the project for certification in the CGBC/DGNB registration system. This marks the official start of the certification process, which varies in duration depending on the stage of project development, the number of people involved, the preparedness of documentation, and other factors

• What are the usual certification prices and what does the price consist of?

  The cost of certification consists of the consultant/auditor fees for preparing the documentation, as well as the fees for CGBC/HSZG engagement throughout the certification process and the issuance of the final certificate.

  The total cost depends on factors such as the gross floor area of the building, the planning documentation, the stage of project development, the client’s membership status in CGBC/HSZG, and the scope of the consultant/auditor services (basic work plus additional measurements).

  To receive a proposal for consultant/auditor services, the relevant request form must be completed.

  The certificate issuance price list can be viewed here: https://gbccroatia.org/troskovi-certificiranja/

• Who is who in the certification process?

  Several key stakeholders are involved in ensuring the successful issuance of a DGNB certificate:

  • Client/Investor/Building Owner – The party deciding to certify a building or urban block according to the DGNB International Certificate.
  • Consultant/Auditor – Establishes initial contact with the client, defines the conditions and method of the certification process, registers the project with the authorized certification body in the country, guides the client through the certification process, and prepares the documentation for the DGNB certificate.
  • Authorized Certification Institution – In Croatia, this is the Croatia Green Building Council (CGBC/HSZG). This institution reviews the documentation prepared by the consultant/auditor and issues the final DGNB certificate for the registered project that meets the certification requirements. In addition to the Croatia Green Building Council, the documentation is also reviewed by experts at the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB).

Tips & Tricks

The blueaudit.hr team always advises existing and new clients:

• The certification procedure is best started at the stage of creating a conceptual solution
• It is important to assemble a multidisciplinary team that will work on the sustainability of the project during its entire life cycle
• Inform the neighborhood of the future building or construction site that the works are carried out according to the standards of the DGNB certification system
• In the process of selecting construction companies for the execution of all works, set the rules for their behavior already when creating project tasks for the main architectural office that accompanies you, and certainly also in the tender documentation for the selection of contractors
• Consider DGNB consultants and auditors with experience as your partners who work together with you on the excellence of your project!