Press and media

TÜV SÜD offers real-estate certification according to BREEAM DE Neubau 2018

In future, TÜV SÜD will be able to offer certification according to the international BREEAM standard for both existing and new buildings. BRE Global has granted an exclusive licence for certification according to BREEAM DE Neubau (BREEAM DE New Construction) to the German Institute for Sustainable Real Estate (DIFNI) at TÜV SÜD. BREEAM DE Neubau 2018 is an adaptation of the BREEAM International New Construction 2016 standard to the German market.

In the real-estate industry, sustainability certificates are continuously growing in importance. According to the “Going for Green” study conducted by RICS and IRE/BS, the number of certificates rose by 16 per cent throughout Europe from 2016 to 2017. With over 563,000 certificates awarded in 77 countries, BRE Global’s BREEAM is the number one standard in Europe and worldwide. TÜV SÜD acquired DIFNI in 2016, thereby becoming an exclusive licence partner for BREEAM certification in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

BREEAM DE Neubau pursues a life-cycle approach

“We are very happy to have received BRE Global authorisation for certification according to BREEAM DE Neubau 2018 so soon after our acquisition by TÜV SÜD“, says Thomas Oebbecke, Head of DIFNI and Divisional Director Sustainability at TÜV SÜD. “This is a sign of appreciation by our licensor and a confirmation of our work so far.” One of the essential advantages offered by BREEAM lies in the possibility of adapting the criteria to specific national conditions. “BREEAM DE Neubau 2018 is based on BREEAM International New Construction 2016”, explains Oebbecke. “Thanks to the possibility of adaptation, we can consider the special features of the German market and the German construction standards, while retaining the advantage of international comparability which is offered by BREEAM certification.” According to Oebbecke, this advantage is particularly highly appreciated by investors with international real-estate portfolios.

Sustainability certification according to BREEAM DE Neubau 2018 benefits real-estate investors, designers, owners and users. “BREEAM DE Neubau 2018 pursues a comprehensive life-cycle approach, from concept and construction to completion and placing into service”, explains Oebbecke. The results are new buildings that offer their users better living and working conditions, while avoiding adverse effects on the environment wherever possible and reducing operational costs. This impacts positively on retaining and increasing property value, and thus ultimately on investment security. As Oebbecke notes, a further advantage of BREEAM DE Neubau 2018 is that unlike rival products, the standard can be applied to both commercial and residential property.

Detailed information on BREEAM DE Neubau 2018 and BREEAM certification of existing buildings as well as on the assessment criteria can be found here.

Trade fair information: TÜV SÜD will also present its full range of sustainability certifications at MIPIM 2018, to be held in Cannes from 13 to 16 March 2018. At this international flagship trade fair of the real-estate industry, TÜV SÜD will showcase its services as a life-cycle partner of the real-estate industry at Stand R7.G16.

Note for editorial teams: For high-resolution photos please feel free to contact presse@tuev-sued.de.

Press contact: Dr Thomas Oberst