NaWoh – Nachhaltiger Wohnungsbau e.V., based in Berlin, was established in January 2012 by industry associations, housing economy academies, and the German Tenants’ Association. The organisation was created to administer and further develop the “Quality Seal for Sustainable Housing Construction” and to promote measurable sustainability in new multi-family housing.
NaWoh operates as a non-profit association that manages an independent certification system for newly constructed residential buildings. The NaWoh system assesses buildings using detailed criteria across five areas: living quality, ecological quality, economic quality, technical quality, and process quality. Unlike some labels, the NaWoh Seal is not solely focused on environmental aspects; it aims for a documented and balanced approach to social, economic, and technical factors. The assessment system is openly available and can serve as a guide or planning tool, even without formal certification.
As of mid-2019, the association had awarded 32 NaWoh certificates, with 24 additional applications underway. The criteria can be used to secure financial incentives in regions such as Hamburg and to support energy-efficient building programs.
NaWoh’s activities include certification, system development, dissemination of research and practical findings, training, and fostering exchange among stakeholders in residential construction. The certification actively influences concrete building projects across Germany by making sustainability transparent and verifiable. Although not issuing a ranked certification (such as gold or silver), the aim is to establish lasting quality and foster dialogue about sustainability standards in housing construction.