> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.realtimelca.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Certification schemes

> Voluntary building sustainability schemes Real-Time LCA can support — DGNB, BREEAM, LEED, and others.

Real-Time LCA produces whole-building LCA results structured per [EN 15978](/methodology-and-compliance/en-15978) and [EN 15804+A2](/methodology-and-compliance/en-15804) — the canonical input for the LCA-related criteria of every major voluntary building sustainability scheme in Europe and most international schemes.

The platform is **formally approved** as a calculation tool for **DGNB certification in Denmark** through an independent verification process, and is **approved for BREEAM v6**. For other schemes listed below, Real-Time LCA produces structurally compatible output.

## DGNB (Denmark)

**[DGNB](https://www.dgnb.de)** (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen) certification uses LCA as input to multiple criteria, most prominently **TEC 1.6 — Building Life Cycle Assessment**.

Real-Time LCA is officially approved through **[RFBB's LCA ToolTjek](https://rfbb.dk/lca-tooltjek)** — an independent verification by **Rådet for Bæredygtigt Byggeri** that the platform's calculation engine meets the requirements for DGNB certification in Denmark. Real-Time LCA was the first commercial, cloud-based SaaS tool to pass this verification.

Danish DGNB uses the **BR18 calculation types** as the basis for the LCA submission. The platform produces a **DGNB-format Excel export** matching the cost-group hierarchy expected for TEC 1.6 documentation.

## BREEAM

**[BREEAM](https://breeam.com)** schemes include **Mat 01 — Life Cycle Impacts**, which accepts results from EN 15978-compliant calculations. Real-Time LCA is formally approved for **BREEAM v6**; approval for BREEAM v7 is currently in process. Users targeting BREEAM v7 certification should confirm the current approval status with their assessor before submission.

Use **Level(s)** or **Custom** as the underlying calculation type. For BREEAM-NOR Mat 01, use **Custom** (TEK17 module set) or **Level(s)** for full-scope coverage.

## LEED

**[LEED v4](https://www.usgbc.org/leed)** and **LEED v5** include the **Building Life Cycle Impact Reduction** credit (BLCIR — *MR Credit: Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction*), which awards points for a reduction in life-cycle impacts versus a baseline. Because Real-Time LCA is EN 15978-compliant, it can be used directly for LEED BLCIR documentation. The comparison-to-baseline calculation required by the credit is performed outside the platform.

Use **Level(s)** or **Custom** as the underlying calculation type.

## Living Building Challenge

The **[Living Building Challenge](https://living-future.org/lbc/)** Embodied Carbon Imperative requires whole-building embodied-carbon documentation. Real-Time LCA can produce the underlying calculation but is not a certified pathway for LBC submission — the LBC team accepts independent calculations from any EN-compliant tool.

## Nordic Swan Ecolabel

For new buildings, the **[Nordic Swan Ecolabel](https://www.nordic-ecolabel.org/criteria/product-groups/buildings/)** uses LCA criteria comparable to BR18 / Klimatdeklaration scope. Real-Time LCA produces the underlying calculation in BR18 (Denmark), Klimatdeklaration (Sweden), or Custom (other Nordic countries).

## Where to start

| If you are targeting…             | Start with calculation type…                                |
| --------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| DGNB (Denmark) TEC 1.6            | BR18 (2025) or BR18 (2023)                                  |
| LEED v4 / v5 BLCIR                | Level(s) or Custom                                          |
| BREEAM Mat 01 (UK, international) | Level(s) or Custom                                          |
| BREEAM-NOR Mat 01                 | Custom (using TEK17 module set or Level(s) for full scope)  |
| Living Building Challenge         | Level(s) or Custom                                          |
| Nordic Swan (Denmark)             | BR18 (2023) or BR18 (2025)                                  |
| Nordic Swan (Sweden)              | Klimatdeklaration plus a parallel Level(s) for B/C coverage |

## Limitations

* Real-Time LCA is formally approved as a calculation tool for DGNB certification in Denmark (via RFBB LCA ToolTjek) and for BREEAM v6. For all other schemes listed, the platform produces structurally compatible LCA output but is not a certified submission tool — scheme submission, audit, and certification are handled by the scheme operator.
* This list is not exhaustive — additional national or sector-specific schemes that accept EN 15978-compliant LCA input will produce valid input from Real-Time LCA without specific configuration here.