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Smart Building: The Certifications That Matter

25.03.2025

Increasing ESG regulatory pressure and the digital transformation have redefined the role of building certifications: once voluntary tools, they have become strategic assets for the technical and financial enhancement of real estate. A building is only considered “smart” if it measurably integrates sustainability, connectivity, and advanced functionality. For investors, designers, and property operators, mastering the certification ecosystem is now a fundamental skill to ensure compliance, marketability, and asset resilience in the medium to long term.

The European smart building certification landscape is fragmented and complex, marked by the overlap of existing environmental standards with new digital frameworks. While initiatives such as the Green Deal and the EPBD (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive) aim to steer the market toward digital sustainability, their practical implementation is often hindered by an over-bureaucratized regulatory framework.

Among the most relevant European (and international) smart building certification frameworks:

SmartScore
The certification with the strongest focus on digital intelligence. Assesses user experience, automation, digital twins, and interoperability.

WiredScore
Evaluates a building’s digital connectivity and IT infrastructure. Often the first step before pursuing SmartScore certification.

IEC 62443
The key cybersecurity standard for building automation systems. As connectivity increases, this standard becomes essential for evaluating truly smart buildings.

BREEAM / LEED / DGNB
Established environmental and comfort standards, increasingly incorporating technological and smart management parameters:

  • BREEAM: common in the Netherlands, UK, and Belgium

  • LEED: more internationally oriented

  • DGNB: ideal for the DACH region, especially Switzerland and Germany

Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI)
New EU framework for assessing how “ready” a building is to optimize energy efficiency and respond to user needs. Currently in the implementation phase, and may become mandatory in the coming years.

EU-Taxonomie
Not a certification, but a tool for aligning real estate projects with EU ESG objectives and sustainable investment criteria.

ISO/IEC 63044
International standard for electronic systems in residential and commercial buildings. Defines interoperability requirements—critical for integrating heterogeneous systems.

The Swiss Context

Following its tradition of technological excellence and pragmatism, Switzerland has developed a smart building certification approach that balances technical rigor with practical applicability. The Swiss framework is defined by the integration of international standards with specific national norms adapted to the country’s architectural and climatic characteristics.

This synergy between local requirements and global frameworks allows Swiss buildings to meet both the high expectations of the domestic market and the standards of international institutional investors.

The most widely adopted certifications in Switzerland reflect this dual objective, combining energy performance with digitalization and automation metrics. Key certifications include:

  • SNBS (Standard Nachhaltiges Bauen Schweiz)
    The Swiss standard for sustainable construction. Considers environmental, economic, and social factors. Compatible with integrated smart approaches.

  • Minergie / Minergie-P / Minergie-ECO
    Benchmark for energy efficiency and comfort. Does not directly assess building intelligence but often serves as a base for smart extensions.

  • SIA 2060 / 2061
    Swiss technical standards specifically for smart buildings and digital infrastructures. Essential for planners and system integrators in the national context.

The Tangible Value of Certifications

Certifications typically account for only 5–10% of total digitalization investments. The actual financial return comes from the implementation of the technologies, not the certification itself. It is essential to distinguish between the benefits of smart technologies and the added value provided by certification.

Measurable Benefits of Certifications

Market Value

  • Sales price premium: +3–6% (Swiss market)

  • Increased appeal to A-class tenants → reduced vacancy periods

  • Preferential access to ESG and green financing

Compliance and Risk Reduction

  • Lower risk of creating “stranded assets”

  • Early positioning in light of regulatory evolution

Communication

  • Objective proof of building quality

  • Competitive advantage in the market

  • Validation for stakeholders and investors

A Pragmatic Certification Approach

To maximize ROI from certifications:

  • Implement first, certify later
    → Digitalization should be driven by business and user goals, not by certification requirements.

  • Strategic certification selection
    → Aligned with the building’s target market (Swiss/international investors, tenant types)

  • Optimized timing
    → Align certifications with strategic milestones (e.g., refinancing, repositioning, ownership change)

Certifications do not create value on their own, but they document and validate what has already been achieved. The EU regulatory approach—often detached from operational realities—has led to a mosaic of certifications with partially redundant metrics and complex assessment procedures.

In this environment, savvy market players select only those certifications with real market relevance.

A pragmatic approach is needed: implement effective digital solutions first, then choose the most suitable certifications to document the created value in the target market.

The combination of Swiss standards (Minergie/SNBS) with digital certifications (SmartScore/WiredScore) is the most effective solution to demonstrate a building’s excellence both locally and internationally.