What it is about
Part 4‑1 gives the KPI standards a common structure, common terms, rules for boundaries, and common requirements and objectives. It is aimed at data center managers, facility managers, ICT managers, and general contractors who want to measure, report, and improve resource usage.
The standard sets neither limit values nor targets and does not describe how individual KPIs are combined into an overall value. The selection of IT equipment, telecommunications equipment, and software is not covered (EN 50600‑4‑1:2016, Introduction and Clause 1).
Core requirements in our own words
There is no universal KPI.
Because data centers differ in type, size, purpose, and location, the series defines a set of KPIs, each of which measures one aspect of resource effectiveness. Clause 5.1.
Four common objectives.
Minimize the consumption of energy and other resources, use the IT load effectively, reuse unused resources such as waste heat, and use renewable energy. Each KPI is intended to make the progress of an individual facility measurable and to justify investments. Clause 5.2.
Inclusion only if neutral.
A KPI of the series must apply to all types and sizes of data centers, be technology-neutral and geography-neutral, and remain applicable at every stage of development, including partial load. Clauses 4, 5.2, 5.3.2 and 5.3.3.
Each KPI defines its own measurement rules.
Formula, included infrastructure, interfaces, measurement points, assessment period, conditions, inclusions and exclusions, and classifications are specified for each KPI; continuous measurement is recommended. Clauses 5.3.4 to 5.3.10.
The boundary is part of the KPI.
It describes the perimeter, the spaces, and the equipment included, is stated as floor area or electrical load, and must be given in every report. If the boundary changes, the KPI must be reassessed; subsystems such as the cooling plant may have their own boundaries. Clause 6.
Do not add up, do not compare.
KPIs are presented as a numerical value with a unit, preferably as a time series. They are not intended to be combined into an overall KPI or used to compare two data centers. Clause 5.5 and Annex A.
From our seminars: two misconceptions
“The data center with the better PUE is the more efficient one.”
The standard advises against comparing two data centers, because availability requirements and location shape the result: a redundant power supply lowers efficiency, and warm outside air weakens free cooling. In seminar practice, this means that a comparison is only meaningful if age, size, class, and measurement point are disclosed as well (Clause 5.5, Annex A).
“The number is enough for the report.”
Without a boundary, period, and classification, a KPI value cannot be interpreted. In projects, we often see that the system boundary was never defined and the value continues unchanged after an expansion; in that case, the standard requires a reassessment (Clauses 5.3.6, 6.2).
Where Part 4‑1 applies in a project
Planning
The metering concept sets the boundary at the utility’s point of connection and places the measurement points so that every KPI of the series can be calculated later.
Reporting
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1364 requires PUE, WUE, ERF, and REF according to the methods of the EN 50600‑4 series; the German Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG) lists Parts 4‑2, 4‑3, 4‑6, 4‑7 and 4‑9 in Annex 3.
Operation
KPIs show how a facility develops over time and serve to compare improvement options, not to rank facilities.
This protects you from a value in the register that is open to challenge in an audit because it has no boundary and period (Clause 6.2, Annex A.1).
Status and revision
- Current edition
DIN EN 50600‑4‑1:2017‑06, German edition of EN 50600‑4‑1:2016, approved by CENELEC on 10 October 2016.
- International
ISO/IEC 30134‑1:2016; the European standard is based on it but is not identical.
- Revision
No ongoing revision is known. Committee CLC/TC 215, national committee DKE/GK 719.
- Last reviewed
EN 50600‑4‑1
Frequently asked questions
The common requirements for all KPIs of the EN 50600‑4 series: structure, terms, boundaries, objectives, and rules for use. The individual KPIs are specified in Parts 4‑2 to 4‑9 (Clause 1).
PUE (Part 4‑2), REF (4‑3), ERF (4‑6), CER (4‑7), CUE (4‑8), and WUE (4‑9). KPIs for resilience are in the Technical Specification CLC/TS 50600‑4‑31.
No. The series defines KPIs, but no target or limit values. Binding values come from legislation such as the EnEfG (Introduction).
No. The standard does not intend KPIs to be used in partial combinations or as an overall KPI and expressly advises against it (Clause 5.5).
The perimeter with the spaces and equipment it contains, which determines which energy and resource flows go into a KPI. A typical boundary is the utility’s point of connection; the boundary is reported with every value (Clause 6).
Seminars
Related seminars
- DC-21008
Data Center Sustainability & Efficiency
5 days · In person
All KPIs of the 4-x series with energy balance, boundaries, and a group exercise; this saves you a metering concept that has to be reworked at the first report.
Next date: 7–11 Jun 2027, Munich · GermanPrice plus VAT: €6,990 Training path 1/4
DC-21001Data Center – General Principles
3 days · In person · Live webinar · Video course
Key figures and classification at a glance, before you move on to the individual KPI standards.
Next date: 19–21 Oct 2026, onlinePrice plus VAT: €4,195
All prices plus VAT; the price is the same in every format.
- DIN EN 50600‑4‑1:2017‑06 (German edition of EN 50600‑4‑1:2016), Introduction, national foreword of the German edition, Clauses 1, 3.1, 4, 5.1 to 5.5, 6.1, 6.2, 7, Annex A
- ISO/IEC 30134‑1:2016
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1364 of 14 March 2024, Annex III
- German Energy Efficiency Act (Gesetz zur Steigerung der Energieeffizienz in Deutschland, EnEfG) of 13 November 2023, Annex 3
- DCE academy seminar practice: Data Center – General Principles (session April 2026), Data Center Design & Implementation (session November 2025), Data Center Sustainability & Efficiency (session November 2025)
Glossary terms
- Key performance indicator (KPI)
- Resource usage effectiveness
- Resource usage efficiency
- Boundary
- Point of connection
- KPI categories according to Part 4‑1
- European database on data centers
