Fostering Corporate Responsibility through Self- and Co-regulation

Appendix
Präqualifizierungsverfahren
Date of creation
2005
Public bodies
Federal Ministry of Transport,
Building and Urban
Development (BMBVS,
formerly Federal Ministry of
Housing)
Germany
In 2005, a working group including representatives from the BMBVS, the federal states
(Länder), municipalities and the construction trade associations developed a “Prequalifi cation
Certifi cate”. Construction companies must usually submit numerous qualifi cations when
competing for a public tender. The “Prequalifi cation Certifi cate” is meant to replace these
qualifi cations with a single, recognised qualifi cation. Moreover, prequalifi ed companies are
listed on a website. The certifi cate asks companies to document certain capabilities and
standards, such as that they pay minimum wages, and to prove they have not been listed in
the bribery registry of the federal states (Landeskorruptionsregister).
Soft law
Link: www.bmvbs.de/cae/servlet/contentblob/29000/publicationFile/45634/leitlinie-fuer-die-durchfuehrung-eines-pqverfahrens.pdf
Effinergie
Date of creation
2006
Public bodies
French Environmental and
Energy Management Agency
(ADEME); French regions;
public agencies
France
Effi nergie is a French certifi cation for energy-effi cient housing launched as an association in
2006. An expert group in the fi eld of low-energy housing elaborated the fi rst standard for
new housing projects in 2007. According to the government’s defi nition, a house qualifi es as
“low-energy” if it annually consumes no more than 50 kWh per square metre for heating,
cooling, ventilation, warm water and lighting. Four certifi cation organisations do the actual
project analysis and certifi cation. In 2009, Effi nergie developed a second standard for
renovations and is planning to publish a new label in 2012. In collaboration with the French
Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME), Effi nergie created the Observatoire
BBC to disseminate information on low-energy buildings.
Link: www.effinergie.org
Minergie
Date of creation
1995
Public bodies
Swiss Confederation; Swiss
cantons
Switzerland
Minergie is a sustainability label and standard for new and refurbished buildings developed
in 1994 to increase living comfort while reducing energy consumption. The Minergie label
was launched in 1995 and, by 1998, all 26 Swiss cantons had become members and licensed
partners of the Minergie association. The association is fi nanced by its private and public
members, its services (certifi cation, education, consulting and coaching) and its sponsors
(companies of the Swiss construction industry, investors and different levels of government).
Minergie evaluates buildings and their housing technology as an integral system. Thus, both
products and services can conform to its standards.
Link: www.minergie.ch
Plan de Contratación Pública Verde
Date of creation
1997, 2007, 2008
Public bodies
Ministry of Environment;
Ministry of Economy
Spain
The “Environmental Criteria in Public Procurement Procedures” established that
prerequisites and environmental criteria were introduced into public contracts of the General
State Administration and social security management entities. The clauses refer both to
the specifi c conditions of the project to be awarded and to the company’s management
systems. Although the scope of this initiative goes beyond the construction sector, it has
been one of the drivers of environmental sustainability in Spain. The ultimate objective of
this initiative is to motivate companies to incorporate social and environmental criteria into
their management.
Link: www.boe.es/aeboe/consultas/bases_datos/doc.php?id=BOE-A-2008-1631
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