The BRE (Building Research Establishment) had announced that as of May 4, 2021, assets would no longer be certifiable under the 2015 version of the BREEAM In-Use International Standard.
The Breeam in-Use International V6 standard, introduced in May 2020, will now be mandatory for all.
Beyond the technical changes introduced in the assessment, this new version offers a more pronounced alignment with the BREEAM Standards dedicated to buildings under construction or renovation (namely BREEAM International New Construction 2016 and BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out), with a closer alignment in methodology and evidence requirements.
The reduction of the carbon footprint is one of the key objectives of this new version of the standard. On the one hand, calculating the carbon impact largely determines the 'Energy' score. On the other hand, the use of refrigerants with a high carbon impact will be a penalizing factor for the 'Pollution' category.
It should also be noted that a new category titled 'Resources' has been introduced to encourage on-site reuse and recycling.
Finally, the concept of resilience is also introduced, to protect against, anticipate, and address the long-term risks of climate change.
The BREEAM In-Use International V6 standard incorporates current and future challenges, but it is also more demanding and restrictive.
Starting with the weighting of each of the 9 themes, which has been revised to place greater emphasis on Energy, Comfort and Well-being, Water Management, Resources, and Resilience.
Certain targets have also evolved, particularly within the Comfort and Well-being and Ecology themes, with some undergoing major changes. For instance, the Transport category now allows for the recognition of electric vehicle charging stations, which was not possible in the 2015 version. Access to exterior views and natural light must now be calculated for the 'Health and Well Being' category.
These changes necessitate more robust evidence, aligning with the requirements of the New Construction and Refurbishment Standards, used for buildings under construction and renovation.
All asset typologies are certifiable (offices, warehouses, residential properties, schools, hospitals, airports, shopping centers, etc.) through two standards: BREEAM In-Use International Commercial and BREEAM In-Use International Residential.
However, Part III – Occupier Management, is unfortunately no longer included in this new version of the standard. As of May 4, 2021, it will no longer be possible to recognize good practices implemented on site by the occupier. If you are a tenant company, it will still be possible to certify the quality of your premises' use through HQE Exploitation Certification (Axis 3) to highlight all your environmental actions (sustainable procurement, practices for reducing energy and/or water consumption, promotion of teleworking, management of private construction sites with low impact, use of eco-labeled products, optimization of technical equipment operating schedules, waste recovery/recycling).
The BRE offers you the opportunity to highlight your exemplary initiatives (the establishment of a dedicated reuse area for your occupants being one such example). Exemplary credits are awarded for certain targets when the project owner implements remarkable practices that exceed the requirements of the BREEAM standard.
This new feature allows for adding up to 10% to a Part's overall rating.
Finally, a fundamental new feature in the management of this certification: annual administrative procedures for certificate maintenance are no longer required, as certificates are now valid for 3 years!
For high-performing buildings, it would nevertheless be possible to re-evaluate the building mid-cycle through a "mid-cycle" audit. However, this re-evaluation will only be possible if the rating improves by more than 10%, or to add a Part during the cycle.
As previously announced, this new version will be more demanding, requiring a robust and exhaustive evidence file. Document collection, in-depth site visits, and various interviews with different stakeholders will be necessary for the AMO to establish a precise evaluation and an evidence file compliant with the requirements of this new standard.
BREEAM In-Use V6 also introduces minimum standards, or rather prerequisites, necessary to achieve specific levels, thereby fostering fairness and a certain level of confidence in the environmental profiles obtained.
For Part I – Asset Performance, for example, you will need to:
For Part II – Management Performance, you will also need to:
"BIU V6? Modernization and stringency.
The new version of BREEAM IN USE naturally concerns SOCIETE DE LA TOUR EIFFEL, with 80% of its GP assets and 70% of its national assets certified, predominantly BIU, largely with SINTEO's support.
As part of the renewal of the BIU certification for our VELIZY -TOPAZ site, I found this new version refreshing, modernizing BREEAM IN USE with the introduction of 'resilience' and 'resources' topics, which highlight circular economy solutions and the challenges of climate change. SOCIETE DE LA TOUR EIFFEL has also commissioned a mapping of the climate risks to which its assets are exposed. This summer, we also joined the 'Booster du Réemploi' (Reuse Booster) alongside GROUPAMA immobilier, IFPEB, and 4mt, to firmly commit to reuse.
Furthermore, this new version generally raises the certification's level of stringency, both through its major themes and the implementation of prerequisites. Again, we are not concerned: the implementation of a responsible purchasing and supplier relations charter, for example, or our ISO 14001 certification, or finally our tenant satisfaction surveys, will allow us to approach this new version with confidence, as any committed stakeholder should be able to do. "
To date, nearly 1,100 buildings are BREEAM In-Use certified in France. A guarantee of international visibility, this certification has become a quality standard over the years. Thanks to its simplicity and rapid implementation, BREEAM In-Use has become the leading operational certification (66% of certified operational assets are BREEAM In-Use).
Since 2008, Sinteo, the leading BIU certifier in France with over 250 certified buildings, has been proud to support you in enhancing the value of your portfolio.
This new version of the standard will, more than ever, allow for increasing and protecting asset value by encouraging thoughtful and adapted investment through a continuous improvement process, rather than merely obtaining a certificate.
Ready to join us and continue this exciting journey?