ÖKOBAUDAT in Germany: What Manufacturers Need
Trying to win German specs without ÖKOBAUDAT visibility is like showing up to a Bundesliga match without boots. This federal database sits at the heart of building LCAs in Germany. Here is how it works, why it matters commercially, and the practical steps to get your product data in front of decision makers fast.
What ÖKOBAUDAT is
ÖKOBAUDAT is Germany’s federal database for building life cycle assessment data. It is operated by BBSR for the housing and building ministry and underpins official building assessments. The platform is open to the public and free to access.
What it holds and what it does not
The database contains two kinds of data. First, generic LCA datasets that cover common materials and processes. Second, product specific EPD datasets that have passed extra checks for format and completeness. It is not a product LCA tool and it does not replace third party verification of your EPD.
The numbers that matter right now
ÖKOBAUDAT lists more than 1400 datasets in German and English, which makes scoping and modeling faster for design teams (DIBt, 2025) (DIBt, 2025). The current public release is labeled 2024 I and is available for download as CSV or ZIP, with rolling corrections logged by date (ÖKOBAUDAT Downloads, 2024) (ÖKOBAUDAT Downloads, 2024). The last full refresh of the generic background set was recorded on June 15, 2023, which is useful context when a client asks about baseline vintages (ÖKOBAUDAT Downloads, 2023) (ÖKOBAUDAT Downloads, 2023).
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How German projects use it
Public projects in Germany must run an LCA and base it on ÖKOBAUDAT through approved tools. That is the default expectation for BNB aligned work and increasingly common in private tenders because it streamlines comparability. If your product has an accepted EPD in the database, teams can model it immediately without swapping in pessimistic generics that hurt your odds.
A1 or A2: pick the right lane
ÖKOBAUDAT hosts data stocks aligned with EN 15804 A1 and EN 15804 A2. These impact indicators are not directly comparable across versions and should not be mixed in the same assessment. If you are publishing new EPDs for Germany in 2026, target A2 unless a client requires legacy alignment.
Getting product data into ÖKOBAUDAT
Publish through an accepted program operator and deliver in ILCD+EPD format using the current validation profile. Data providers can submit continuously, while the generic background is updated on an annual cadence. Map the right product category, include required physical properties, and ensure your verifier can support the additional checks that ÖKOBAUDAT performs before release.
Why this boosts commercial outcomes
When specifiers can pull your EPD dataset straight from ÖKOBAUDAT, they avoid manual remapping and project specific conversion work. That keeps your product in the model rather than on the sideline. Sales cycles shorten, substitution risk drops, and value discussions stay focused on performance rather than gap filling. It is definately the smoother path to repeatable specs.
Timing and workflow tips
Plan the data pull around your chosen reference year, then schedule review windows with operations and quality to avoid rework. Confirm early which EN 15804 version the project team uses. If you are close to a release window for generics, note that your product specific EPD can still be delivered and published between those windows.
Bottom line for manufacturers
Treat ÖKOBAUDAT as the entry gate to German building LCAs. Aim for clean A2 compliant datasets, validated in ILCD+EPD, and published via an accepted operator. Do that and your product is easy to model, easy to compare, and easy to keep in the spec.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ÖKOBAUDAT mandatory for all German public building LCAs and how does that affect private projects?
Yes for public projects aligned to BNB, and many private projects mirror the same workflow because it standardizes data and toolchains.
How often is ÖKOBAUDAT updated and does that block product EPD uploads?
Generic datasets refresh about once per year, but accepted program operators can deliver product EPDs continuously so you do not need to wait for a major release.
Should new EPDs target EN 15804 A1 or A2 for Germany in 2026?
Target A2 unless a client mandates A1. A1 and A2 indicators are not comparable in one model.
What file format does ÖKOBAUDAT require for EPD datasets?
ILCD+EPD with the current validation profile. Submissions must pass automated checks before release.
About the Author
With a passion for sustainability and a love for complex data, Toby helps manufacturers efficiently collect data from across their organization and get their EPDs done right. He’s especially interested in how AI can support human expertise, helping R&D and factory teams work faster, smarter, and with less friction.
