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Transitional regulations for the QNG Update 2023

In preparation for the Climate-friendly New Builds (KFN) funding programme starting on 1 March 2023, the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB) published an updated version of the QNG Sustainable Building Certification on 30 December 2022, which came into force on 1 January 2023 (QNG Update 2023).

The key changes introduced through the QNG Update 2023 are listed below:

  • Expansion of the QNG’s application to non-residential buildings to include additional building types and types of use (see QNG Manual Annex 1)
  • Expansion of the QNG’s application to residential buildings to include complete refurbishments (see QNG Manual Annex 1 and 3.1.1)
  • Merger of the QNG Certification types KN21 and WN21 into the new Certification type WG23 (see QNG Manual Annex 1)
  • Merger of the QNG Certification types BN22, UN22, BK22 and UK22 into the new Certification type NW23 (see QNG Manual Annex 1)
  • Addition of mixed-use regulations (see QNG Manual 7.1 ff and 2.1.6 of Annex 1)
  • Introduction of the system of LCA classes for non-residential buildings (see QNG Manual Annex 1 and Annexes 3.2.1.1 and 3.2.1.2)
  • Adaptation of the requirements of the new Certification type WG23 for residential buildings to the QNG-PLUS Certification requirement levels for greenhouse gas emissions over the building’s life cycle to a maximum of 24 kg CO2e/m² a (see QNG Manual Annex 3)
  • General editorial changes and correction of errors in all documents

Thanks to the fact that the QNG's scope has now been expanded, it can now also be applied to most new build and complete refurbishment projects. 

Transition and transitional regulations for the QNG Update 2023:

1. Transition of the registered assessment systems and certification bodies

The sustainable building assessment systems and certification bodies registered for

  • the QNG Certification types KN21 and WN21 over the QNG's scheme’s introductory phase have been transitioned to the new QNG Certification type for residential buildings 2023 (WG23)
  • the QNG Certification types BN22, BK22, UN22 and UK22 over the QNG's scheme’s introductory phase have been transitioned to the new QNG Certification type for non-residential buildings 2023 (NW23)

2. Transitional regulation

Section 8.3.2 of the QNG Manual sets out an exemption for projects for which QNG Certification has already been commissioned or applied for. Under this regulation, the certification bodies may continue to use the Certification types KN21, WN21, BN22, BK22, UN22 and UK22 for all new build residential and non-residential building projects that were commissioned or applied for QNG Certification with an accredited QNG certification body before 1 January 2023. Under this transitional regulation, an application for QNG Certification can generally be assumed to have been submitted if

  • the project participants were in a verifiable exchange with an accredited certification body on issues relating to the certification of the relevant project in accordance with QNG before 1 January 2023 or
  • if KfW issued a “Confirmation of application” (BzA) or “Commercial confirmation of application” (gBzA) for funding of a KfW programme 261, 263, 264, 461, 463 or 464 KfW 40 or KfW 55 Energy Efficiency House / Buildings before 01.01.2023.

The transitional regulations expires on 31.12.2023.