Sustainable IT-Label
Sustainable buildings start with a strong digital foundation.
When you think of sustainability, you think of insulation, solar panels and a heat pump. But a building only becomes truly efficient when its systems work together smartly. That runs over the network. The IT-Label shows how good that digital foundation is. That makes it an important step towards a sustainable building.
01. What makes the IT-Label sustainable?
Three ways it contributes.
- Saving energy with smart systems. Sensors, smart meters and a building management system control climate and lighting based on what is really needed. That only works with a good network.
- Reliable data for ESG. For ESG reporting, the CSRD and the Dutch energy saving obligation you need figures. A good digital foundation lets you measure and share those figures.
- A foundation that lasts. Well-installed cabling and networks can be used for years. You need to tear out and reinstall less often. That saves materials and money.
02. Sustainability and the network
Smart systems need a network.
A smart building measures and adjusts all day long. A sensor sees that a meeting room is empty. The climate system then heats that room less. Smart meters show per floor where the energy goes.
All of these systems send their data over the building network. Is that network weak, insecure or missing? Then the systems do not work well and the savings stay on paper. The IT-Label shows whether the foundation is right.
03. Six levels
What the level says about sustainability.
The IT-Label runs from IT1+ (Premium) to IT5 (Shell). At a high level, the network and smart systems are ready to save energy and deliver data.
At a low level, you see exactly which digital steps are needed first. That turns the label into a plan for sustainability. Click a level for an explanation.
04. Alongside other labels
One part of the whole.
- The energy label shows how much energy a building uses. It is mandatory.
- BREEAM, GPR and WELL take a broad look at the sustainability, health and quality of a building.
- The Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) shows how smart a building is.
- The IT-Label shows how good the digital foundation is that smart and sustainable systems run on.
The labels complement each other. At the bottom of this page you will find a comparison of all sustainability labels.
05. Not to be confused with
The French Sustainable IT Label.
There is also a French label called the Sustainable IT Label (Label Numérique Responsable). That label is for organisations. It looks at how an organisation handles its own IT, such as devices, software and reuse.
The IT-Label looks at something else: the digital quality of a building. So the IT-Label is not a replacement for the French label, and not a competitor either. The two labels can exist side by side. An organisation can hold one label, and its building the other.
Frequently asked questions
Good to know.
Is the IT-Label a sustainability label?
Not directly. The IT-Label measures the digital quality of a building, not its energy use. But a good digital foundation is needed for smart systems that save energy. That is how the IT-Label adds to the sustainability of a building.
Does the IT-Label help with ESG reporting?
Yes, indirectly. The label shows whether a building has the networks and meters to collect reliable energy data. You need that data for ESG and the CSRD. Read more about ESG and regulation.
What is the difference with the French Sustainable IT Label?
The French label is about how an organisation handles its own IT. The IT-Label is about the digital quality of a building. The IT-Label is not a replacement for or a competitor of the French label.
Does a higher IT-Label save energy?
Not automatically. A higher level means the digital foundation is ready for smart controls. Those controls can lower energy use. How much depends on the building and how it is used.
How do I start?
Take the free sustainability scan. In 15 questions you see an indication of the IT-Label and how smartly your building uses energy.
Further reading
How sustainable is your building?
In 15 questions, the free scan gives an indication of the IT-Label and shows how smartly your building uses energy.