Placepoint

Svanemerket

Svanemerket is the official Nordic ecolabelling scheme, set up by the Nordic Council of Ministers in 1989. For buildings, the scheme covers homes, kindergartens and commercial buildings that meet strict requirements for energy use, indoor climate, choice of materials and chemicals across the whole life of the building. In Norway, the scheme is run by Miljømerking Norge.

The requirements fall into three categories: energy and indoor climate, choice of materials and chemicals, and the construction and demolition process. To be certified, the building must reach a sufficient score in each category and meet the mandatory requirements. The certification differs from BREEAM-NOR in that it puts more weight on chemicals and indoor climate and has a broader consumer focus. BREEAM-NOR is more widespread in commercial property and gives a detailed category system, while Svanemerket is used mostly in homes and public buildings such as kindergartens and schools.

The Svanemerket license runs for three years and can be renewed. The license number and the certification status are publicly available in the register held by Miljømerking Norge. In practice, Svanemerket certification is more common in the housing segment and the public sector than in commercial commercial property, where BREEAM-NOR dominates. The scheme is voluntary and comes in addition to the minimum requirements in TEK17 and the statutory energy labelling.

Svanemerket buildings are in the Environmental Certifications dataset, together with BREEAM-NOR and LEED. Report: ESG and sustainability shows the Svanemerket status together with the other certification schemes and the energy label, building by building.

How the dataset appears on the map

The dataset is part of the map layer Buildings as Environmental Certifications:

Svanemerket in Placepoint

From Placepoint's glossary: Svanemerket

More information: Miljømerking Norge: Svanemerket buildings, DiBK: Byggteknisk forskrift TEK17

English: Nordic Swan Ecolabel (Nordic environmental certification for buildings and products).

Common questions we come across

What is Svanemerket for buildings?

It is the official Nordic ecolabelling scheme for buildings. It sets requirements for energy use, indoor climate, choice of materials and chemicals, and applies mainly to homes, kindergartens and commercial buildings.

Who runs Svanemerket in Norway?

Miljømerking Norge is the national body that awards and follows up Svanemerket licenses in Norway. It is part of the joint Nordic scheme anchored in the Nordic Council of Ministers.

What is the difference between Svanemerket and BREEAM-NOR?

BREEAM-NOR is most widespread in commercial property and uses a detailed points system with five levels. Svanemerket puts more weight on chemicals and indoor climate and is used mainly in homes and public buildings. Both are voluntary schemes that go beyond the minimum requirements in TEK17.

How long does a Svanemerket certification last?

The license runs for three years from the award date and can be renewed through a new application. The building must still meet the requirements that apply at the time of renewal.