Less is more: harmonization in Swiss building labels

Anyone who builds or renovates in Switzerland in a sustainable and energy-conscious manner can have this certified with various labels (Minergie, SNBS Hochbau, 2000-Watt-Areal). Now the Swiss building label family is getting a refresh. The 2000-Watt-Areal label will disappear. There will now be two labels for buildings and two for sites. The participating organizations and the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) have agreed on this and signed a contract in Bern on March 17, 2022, which sets out the future cooperation.

from left to right: Martin Hitz (NNBS), Marc Mächler (Minergie), Roberto Schmidt (GEAK), Daniel Büchel (BFE) - Image: BFE, Brigitte Mader

Minergie, Standard Nachhaltiges Bauen Schweiz (SNBS Hochbau), GEAK, 2000-Watt-Areal: The overview of the different standards and labels is not easy. Which label stands for what? Where does which standard make sense? Where do the labels overlap? In addition, the supporting organizations have had their own calculation methods for certification until now.

A certain convergence has already taken place: GEAK and SNBS are already managed by the Minergie office. Now, however, the cooperation is to become even more intensive - and not only organizationally. The supporting organizations also want to realign the labels. The 2000-Watt-Areal label will no longer be offered from the end of 2023. Existing 2000-watt sites and those on the way to certification will receive a follow-up solution.

There will now be two labels each for buildings and sites. The existing categories of the Minergie label will be retained. The GEAK, the building energy certificate of the cantons, will also remain.

Why are these adjustments being made? What do those involved expect from them? Energeiaplus asked.

The SFOE has accompanied the harmonization process. Daniel Büchel, SFOE deputy director and head of the SwissEnergy program, explains in a video interview why the SFOE is involved in this project and why the 2000-Watt-Areal label will no longer be continued.

Nearly 53,500 buildings in Switzerland are Minergie-certified(as of spring 2022), meaning they meet one of the various Minergie standards. Minergie is a protected building standard in Switzerland that has received various additional categories since its nationwide introduction in 1998 (Minergie-P, Minergie-A, Minergie-Eco, Minergie-P-Eco, Minergie-A-Eco). Minergie is backed by an association supported by the federal government, the cantons and numerous other members. Marc Mächler, FDP government president in the canton of St. Gallen, is president of the association. In a video interview, he explains why Minergie is in favor of harmonizing the labels.

The Swiss Sustainable Building Standard (SNBS Hochbau) was launched in 2013. This label originates from the Federal Council's strategy for the sustainable development of Switzerland. The standard was developed on the initiative of the business community and the public sector. Martin Hitz is president of the Sustainable Building Network Switzerland (NNBS), which is responsible for the SNBS label. In the video interview, he explains the advantages of this change in building labels.

The GEAK , the building energy certificate of the cantons, is not a label in the narrower sense. The GEAK records the actual condition of a building and serves as a basis for planning a renovation. The Valais State Councilor Roberto Schmidt (Die Mitte) says in a video interview why the GEAK association welcomes the revision.

Text and video: Brigitte Mader, Communication, Swiss Federal Office of Energy