On March 31, 2025, Svanemærket, a prominent environmental certification organization, launched new standards for building operation. These standards aim to enhance resource efficiency in existing buildings and provide a powerful tool for building owners, property investors, and facility management companies to ensure efficient building operation and reduce the environmental and climate impact of existing buildings. The launch of these standards marks a significant step in addressing the substantial untapped environmental and climate potential.

The new standards for building operation are part of Svanemærket's broader focus on environmental and climate issues. Over the past few years, Svanemærket's focus on construction and renovation has grown significantly as more emphasis is placed on the environment and climate. By certifying building operation, Svanemærket aims to address both the optimized part of the building stock with high quality and improve the existing building stock through maintenance and optimized operation.

The first buildings in Northern Europe to receive certification for their operations under Svanemærket are Sygeplejerskernes Hus, a residential property with 130 tenants in Copenhagen N & Købmagergade Property Company's domicil in Skovlunde. PKA Property Company, PKA Ejendomme, manages both properties and the certification supports the company's green ambitions: "The certification with Svanemærket is a natural extension of our overall climate strategy where we at PKA Ejendomme work systematically to minimize the climate burden that arises when properties need to be maintained," says Henrik Dahl Jeppesen, managing director of PKA Ejendomme.

The criteria for building operation include 38 mandatory requirements across nine different areas. These include energy, water, waste, outdoor environment, chemicals, and construction materials. The first buildings to receive certification for their operations under Svanemærket were announced in February.

Henrik Hougaard, communications officer at Miljømærking Danmark, will provide an insight into the different areas where requirements are set during Specialist Talk at Building Green Aarhus on April 9 at 12:30-13:00 on the Innovation Stage scene. For more information about Svanemærket building operation, visit Building Green Aarhus or contact them at info@buildinggreen.eu.