CRB Schweizerische Zentralstelle für Baurationalisierung

What CRB Schweizerische Zentralstelle für Baurationalisierung does

CRB Schweizerische Zentralstelle für Baurationalisierung is a Swiss non-profit association founded in 1959 and headquartered in Zürich, with additional offices in Fribourg and Bellinzona. It serves as the national competence center for construction and real estate standards, developing and maintaining the standardized classification systems, cost-planning methodologies, and data formats used across the Swiss construction industry. Its core offerings are the eBKP (element-based construction cost plan) family — eBKP-H (SN 506 511) for building construction and eBKP-T (SN 506 512) for civil engineering — and the NPK (Normpositionen-Katalog), a catalog of more than 200 chapters of standardized work descriptions used in tendering, calculation, and invoicing. Supporting products include the PRD product-entries database, the ProLeMo facility management model, the LCC lifecycle cost guide, and the resold NCS color system.

CRB operates a technology platform comprising web applications (NPK-Editor, NPK-Viewer, eBKP-Assistant, werk-material.online, Colors-Simulator), certified software integrations under the IfA18 standard, and data exchange formats including eBKP-IFC and CRBX, all built on a SAP Business ByD ERP backbone. Distribution is dual-channel: a direct webshop for standards, E-Books, and training, and an indirect channel via IfA18-certified building administration software used by Swiss architects and contractors. The organization also runs an event-driven training program (over 20 instructor-led courses) and develops content jointly with professional associations (SIA, SBV, BSA, IFMA, buildingSMART).

The revenue model is predominantly subscription-based: standards are licensed annually using Data Value Points (DWP) with Named-User, Concurrent-User, or Workstation-ID pricing, complemented by recurring PRD advertising fees, E-Book subscriptions with five-year minimum terms, training-course fees (CHF 361–1,165), and NCS product resale margins. Pricing in Swiss Francs includes a 15% member discount for partner associations. Member-based governance, deep association partnerships, and the absence of disclosed financial metrics indicate a member-financed standards organization rather than a venture-backed enterprise.

Name

CRB Schweizerische Zentralstelle für Baurationalisierung

Legal name

CRB Schweizerische Zentralstelle für Baurationalisierung

Website

https://crb.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction Industry Standards

NAICS

Software Publishers (513210), Engineering Services (541330)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Architecture, Construction & Building Codes Reference (Design, BIM, Safety Codes) (EDAGAGAH)

Keywords

• Construction cost planning
• Building specifications standards
• Facility management standards
• BIM data exchange
• Construction cost catalog

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Standards Licensing (Annual Subscriptions): CRB licenses its standards (eBKP, NPK, and related catalogs) on an annual subscription basis. Pricing is based on Data Value Points (DWP), with options for Named-User, Concurrent-User, or Workstation-ID licensing. Members receive discounts on all CRB publications.
2. E-Books and Digital Publications: CRB sells digital publications including the eBKP User Manual, ProLeMo, and other technical guides as E-Books. Minimum guaranteed usage period is five years from first delivery of access credentials.
3. Professional Training Courses: CRB offers instructor-led training courses on various topics including BIM, cost planning, NPK usage, building contracts, facility management, color systems, and project management. Courses range from half-day sessions to multi-day programs.
4. PRD Product Entries (Advertising): Product manufacturers pay for PRD entries to appear in the product search engine connected to the NPK standard. Entries are published based on annual offers, with annual renewal and price adjustments.
5. NCS Products: CRB resells NCS color products including color samples, design tools, color measurement devices (NANO 2), and teaching materials.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CRB develops, maintains, and distributes standardized classification systems, catalogs, and software-based tools for the Swiss construction and real estate industry. Its portfolio includes the eBKP element-based cost planning standards (eBKP-H for buildings, eBKP-T for civil engineering), the NPK (Normpositionen-Katalog) work description catalog with over 200 chapters, facility management standards (ProLeMo, LCC-Leitfaden), BIM/IFC data exchange formats, the NCS color system, and supporting web applications such as the eBKP-Assistant, NPK-Editor, and NPK-Viewer.

Product overview

CRB Schweizerische Zentralstelle für Baurationalisierung is the competence center for standards in the Swiss construction and real estate industry. The offering consists of a comprehensive portfolio of standards, web applications, and data services developed together with professionals and partner organizations. The core products include the eBKP (element-based construction cost plan) family with eBKP-H for buildings (SN 506 511) and eBKP-T for civil engineering (SN 506 512), along with the NPK (Normpositionen-Katalog) standard position catalog for tendering and specification of construction work. Supporting products include the werk-material.online reference values platform, PRD product entries database, NCS color system with color swatches and tools, and LCC-Leitfaden for life cycle cost analysis. Additional offerings encompass ProLeMo facility management standards, CRB-E-Books, professional training courses, and web applications such as NPK-Editor, NPK-Viewer, and eBKP-Assistant. CRB operates as a standards organization providing tools for cost optimization, standardized cost calculation over building life cycles, performance specification and invoicing, and clear definition of colors and construction materials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• eBKP: Elementbasierter Baukostenplan - Element-based cost planning standard for construction
• NPK
• NCS
• eBKP-H
• eBKP-T
• PRD
• OAK
• ProLeMo
• werk-material.online

Products and services

• eBKP-H (Baukostenplan Hochbau)

Quantifiable outcome

• Standardized, legally-compliant tender documents that reduce disputes and change orders
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature12 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Schweizerischer Baumeisterverband (SBV)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023SBV has been ideologically supporting CRB since its beginnings. SBV Director Bernhard Salzmann serves on the CRB Board and Committee since 2023. SBV and CRB collaborate on making the construction industry fit for digital transformation, particularly regarding BIM methodology and project alliances. SBV represents the interests of Swiss construction companies who are primary users of NPK standards.
• suissetec (Schweizerisch-Liechtensteinischer Gebäudetechnikverband)coreStrategic or Co-development Partnersuissetec provides calculation foundations (Kalkulationsgrundlagen) for building technology systems (heating, ventilation) that integrate with CRB NPK chapters 450/460. This partnership enables planners and installers to efficiently plan, tender, and calculate HVAC projects using consistent standards and data formats.
• SIA (Schweizerischer Ingenieur- und Architektenverein)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIA is one of CRB's founding association partners. CRB standards work in conjunction with SIA norms (particularly SIA 112 'Modell Bauplanung') for construction planning and execution. SIA members receive discounts on CRB products.
• BSA (Bund Schweizer Architekten)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBSA is a founding association partner of CRB. BSA members receive discounts on CRB training courses and publications.
• IFMA Switzerland (International Facility Management Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFMA Switzerland collaborates with CRB on facility management standards including the ProLeMo model and the LCC-Leitfaden for lifecycle cost analysis. The partnership produces joint publications and training courses for facility management professionals.
• buildingSMART Switzerland / Bauen digital SchweizcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for BIM standardization and openBIM implementation in Switzerland. CRB participates in buildingSMART working groups and develops BIM-compatible standards including the eBKP-IFC rule set for model-based cost calculation.
• Haus der FarbesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of color education courses including 'Das ABC des NCS-Systems', 'Farbe im Raum', and the 'Farbkultur in Ortsbildern' course series. Haus der Farbe provides expert knowledge on color theory and practical application for CRB's NCS product line.
• Landscale AGsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in developing the 'Modellbasierte Kostenermittlung Landschaftsarchitektur' (Model-based Cost Calculation for Landscape Architecture) publication series, including process descriptions, modeling guidelines, sample models, and CRB rule set Chapter I.
• JardinSuissesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association for landscape architecture and garden construction. Collaborates with CRB on standards for landscape architecture projects including BIM modeling guidelines.
• BSLA (Bund Schweizer Landschaftsarchitekten)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association for Swiss landscape architects. Partner in developing the modeling guidelines for model-based cost calculation in landscape architecture.
• NCS Colour ABcoreTechnology or IntegrationSwedish company that owns the Natural Colour System (NCS). CRB is an authorized reseller of NCS products in Switzerland, offering color samples, design tools, and color measurement devices.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/CRBPRD
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/crb-schweizerische-zentralstelle-f%C3%BCr-baurationalisierung

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CRB Schweizerische Zentralstelle für Baurationalisierung