SDEA LABEL
Recognized Data Center Excellence
The only certification that proves – not claims – world-class energy efficiency, carbon emissions, and water usage. Independently verified. Exclusively awarded to operators who meet the industry's highest standards.
Whether you operate data center facilities, manage IT infrastructure, or own complete operations – SDEA Label provides measurable, independently audited proof that sets you apart.
WHY SDEA LABEL MATTERS
Claims are easy, proof isn't
Sustainability claims are everywhere but hard to compare – most rest on self-reported or estimated figures, not measured data. Real performance is hard to verify.
The Result: Operators doing real sustainability work have no easy way to prove it apart from the rest.
We Provide Proof
SDEA Label delivers what a claim can't: independent verification, practical measurement thresholds, and comprehensive assessment across your full operation.
Key Differentiator: Where others self-report or rate designs, SDEA Label independently audits measured performance.
DATA CENTER INFRASTRUCTURE CERTIFICATION
PUE⁺
PUE⁺
What Gets Certified
PUE⁺
Facility energy flow, including waste heat recovery and renewable generation
CUE⁺
Operational emissions, including lifecycle impact of all energy sources
WUE⁺
Water consumption, including recycling capabilities and regional stress levels
For colocation providers, enterprise data centers, and hyperscalers
IT INFRASTRUCTURE CERTIFICATION
PUE⁺
PUE⁺
What Gets Certified
Utilization
Virtualization
Technology
Resource efficiency across servers, storage, and network infrastructure
Workload consolidation through VMs, containers, and modern architecture
Efficient hardware, including flash storage, fiber optics, intelligent power
For enterprise IT departments, cloud providers, and IT infrastructure teams
FULL-STACK
CERTIFICATION
PUE⁺
PUE⁺
What Gets Certified
DC Efficiency
IT Efficiency
Resources
Complete facility performance: PUE⁺, waste heat recovery, on-site renewables
Complete compute performance: utilization, virtualization, and technology excellence
Operational emissions and water consumption, including recycling and water stress
For enterprise DC owners, IT in SDEA-certified facilities, and sustainability frontrunners
THREE STEPS TO
SDEA LABEL
1
Account & Measurement
Create an account in the award-winning SDEA Navigator and set up dashboards for each certification application.
Each dashboard provides four calculators evaluating DC infrastructure, IT infrastructure, carbon emissions, and water usage – individually or combined. Enter 12 months of measured data and the Navigator calculates your efficiency metrics.
The KPI Factsheet provides an overview; full documentation is available when you register.
2
Certification & Scope
With your data entered, launch certification and select your scope:
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DC Infrastructure Only: Focuses on your DC's energy efficiency, emissions, and water use
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IT Infrastructure Only: Focuses on your IT's energy efficiency, independent of where it's hosted
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DC Instance: Covers both the DC and IT infrastructure owned by the same organization, or if the IT is hosted in an SDEA certified DC
Certification requires meeting performance thresholds.
3
Audit & Validation
After submitting your data, engage an independent auditor – your own, or choose from our list provided in the Certification Guide – to verify your metrics.
The SDEA Board reviews the audit report and determines your certification level: PLATINUM, GOLD, SILVER, or BRONZE.
Upon approval, receive your certification toolkit and communication guidelines.
Certification is valid for three years.