BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method

International (BRE Global)

v2024 (New Construction)

14 domains

47 controls

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is the world's oldest green building certification scheme, established in 1990 by BRE Global. It assesses and certifies the sustainability performance of buildings across their lifecycle. Categories include management, health and wellbeing, energy, transport, water, materials, waste, land use and ecology, and pollution. Rating levels: Pass, Good, Very Good, Excellent, and Outstanding. Over 590,000 buildings certified in 90+ countries.

Unverified

BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method is a compliance framework from International (BRE Global) with 14 domains and 47 controls that map to 73 other frameworks. The largest domains are Management (9 controls), Health and Wellbeing (5 controls), Land Use, Ecology, and Pollution (5 controls). Every control below carries what it requires and what an assessor expects to see.

Maintained by Gerard BlokdykControl text last updated 21 May 2026

Framework summaries on this platform are AI-assisted interpretations for educational and compliance planning purposes. They do not reproduce or replace the official standards. Refer to the authoritative source for the definitive text. Framework names and trademarks belong to their respective organisations.

Framework Domains (14)

Energy

3 controls

Controls in the Energy domain of BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method — 6 controls
Code	Title	Description
BREEAM-ENE-01	Reduction of Energy Use and Carbon Emissions	Reduce regulated energy use and CO2 emissions through fabric efficiency and building services design with dynamic simula...
BREEAM-ENE-02	Energy Monitoring	Install sub metering of energy end uses and major plant items with provision for ongoing energy management.
BREEAM-ENE-04	Low Carbon Design	Consider passive design analysis and low or zero carbon technology feasibility study at concept design.
Ene 01	Reduction of Energy Use and Carbon Emissions	Building energy demand and associated carbon emissions are minimized through efficient design.
Ene 02	Energy Monitoring	Sub-metering systems enable monitoring and management of energy consumption.
Ene 04	Low Carbon Design	Passive and active low carbon design strategies reduce operational energy use.

Energy

3 controls

Controls in the Energy domain of BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method — 6 controls
Code	Title	Description
BREEAM-ENE-01	Reduction of Energy Use and Carbon Emissions	Reduce regulated energy use and CO2 emissions through fabric efficiency and building services design with dynamic simula...
BREEAM-ENE-02	Energy Monitoring	Install sub metering of energy end uses and major plant items with provision for ongoing energy management.
BREEAM-ENE-04	Low Carbon Design	Consider passive design analysis and low or zero carbon technology feasibility study at concept design.
Ene 01	Reduction of Energy Use and Carbon Emissions	Building energy demand and associated carbon emissions are minimized through efficient design.
Ene 02	Energy Monitoring	Sub-metering systems enable monitoring and management of energy consumption.
Ene 04	Low Carbon Design	Passive and active low carbon design strategies reduce operational energy use.

Health and Wellbeing

4 controls

Controls in the Health and Wellbeing domain of BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method — 9 controls
Code	Title	Description
BREEAM-HEA-01	Visual Comfort	Provide adequate daylight, view out, internal and external lighting levels, and glare control for occupant visual comfor...
BREEAM-HEA-02	Indoor Air Quality	Design ventilation, manage VOC emissions from materials, and provide post construction air quality testing.
BREEAM-HEA-04	Thermal Comfort	Design building services to deliver adequate thermal comfort levels assessed using dynamic thermal modelling.
BREEAM-HEA-05	Acoustic Performance	Achieve acoustic performance criteria for sound insulation, indoor ambient noise, and reverberation appropriate to build...
Hea 01	Visual Comfort	Adequate daylighting and glare control are provided to ensure visual comfort for occupants.
Hea 02	Indoor Air Quality	Indoor air quality is maintained through ventilation, low-emission materials, and pollutant control.
Hea 04	Thermal Comfort	Thermal comfort levels are achieved through effective heating, cooling, and ventilation design.
Hea 05	Acoustic Performance	Acoustic design ensures appropriate sound insulation and ambient noise levels.
Hea 06	Accessibility	The building is designed to be accessible and inclusive for all users.

Health and Wellbeing

5 controls

Controls in the Health and Wellbeing domain of BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method — 9 controls
Code	Title	Description
BREEAM-HEA-01	Visual Comfort	Provide adequate daylight, view out, internal and external lighting levels, and glare control for occupant visual comfor...
BREEAM-HEA-02	Indoor Air Quality	Design ventilation, manage VOC emissions from materials, and provide post construction air quality testing.
BREEAM-HEA-04	Thermal Comfort	Design building services to deliver adequate thermal comfort levels assessed using dynamic thermal modelling.
BREEAM-HEA-05	Acoustic Performance	Achieve acoustic performance criteria for sound insulation, indoor ambient noise, and reverberation appropriate to build...
Hea 01	Visual Comfort	Adequate daylighting and glare control are provided to ensure visual comfort for occupants.
Hea 02	Indoor Air Quality	Indoor air quality is maintained through ventilation, low-emission materials, and pollutant control.
Hea 04	Thermal Comfort	Thermal comfort levels are achieved through effective heating, cooling, and ventilation design.
Hea 05	Acoustic Performance	Acoustic design ensures appropriate sound insulation and ambient noise levels.
Hea 06	Accessibility	The building is designed to be accessible and inclusive for all users.

Innovation

1 controls

Controls in the Innovation domain of BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method — 1 controls
Code	Title	Description
BREEAM-INN-01	Innovation	Achieve innovation credits via exemplary level criteria, approved innovations, or BRE approved innovative measures.

Land Use and Ecology

2 controls

Controls in the Land Use and Ecology domain of BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method — 2 controls
Code	Title	Description
BREEAM-LE-01	Site Selection	Locate the development on previously developed land or contaminated land with appropriate remediation.
BREEAM-LE-04	Ecological Enhancement	Engage a Suitably Qualified Ecologist to enhance site ecology through planting, habitat creation, and biodiversity actio...

Land Use, Ecology, and Pollution

5 controls

Controls in the Land Use, Ecology, and Pollution domain of BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method — 5 controls
Code	Title	Description
LE 01	Site Selection	Development is steered towards previously developed brownfield land to protect greenfield sites.
LE 03	Ecological Value and Biodiversity	The ecological value of the site is maintained and enhanced through biodiversity management.
Pol 01	Impact of Refrigerants	Refrigerant selection minimizes global warming and ozone depletion potential.
Pol 02	NOx Emissions	Heating system NOx emissions are minimized to reduce local air pollution.
Pol 03	Surface Water Run-Off	Sustainable drainage systems manage surface water run-off and reduce flood risk.

Management

9 controls

Controls in the Management domain of BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method — 9 controls
Code	Title	Description
BREEAM-MAN-01	Project Brief and Design	Establish a project brief through stakeholder consultation and sustainability workshops that define sustainability targe...
BREEAM-MAN-02	Life Cycle Cost and Service Life Planning	Conduct life cycle costing and service life planning at strategic and detail design stages to inform asset decisions.
BREEAM-MAN-03	Responsible Construction Practices	Operate the construction site under a Considerate Constructors scheme or equivalent with environmental management and co...
BREEAM-MAN-04	Commissioning and Handover	Commission building services with seasonal commissioning, and provide handover information including building user guide...
Man 01	Project Brief and Design	Sustainable development principles are integrated into project brief and design.
Man 02	Life Cycle Cost and Service Life Planning	Whole life costing and service life planning are used to improve design and maintenance.
Man 03	Responsible Construction Practices	Construction site management follows best practice sustainability standards.
Man 04	Commissioning and Handover	Building systems are properly commissioned, tested, and handed over to the end user.
Man 05	Aftercare	Post-occupancy evaluation and aftercare support ensure building performance in use.

Materials

3 controls

Controls in the Materials domain of BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method — 3 controls
Code	Title	Description
BREEAM-MAT-01	Environmental Impact of Materials	Use materials with lower environmental impact assessed via the BREEAM Mat 01 calculator or third party EPDs.
BREEAM-MAT-03	Responsible Sourcing of Materials	Source materials from suppliers with recognised responsible sourcing certification such as FSC, PEFC, BES 6001, or equiv...
BREEAM-MAT-05	Designing for Durability and Resilience	Design protection against vehicle, vandalism, and weather damage to vulnerable areas to extend material service life.

Materials and Waste

4 controls

Controls in the Materials and Waste domain of BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method — 4 controls
Code	Title	Description
Mat 01	Life Cycle Impacts	Construction materials are selected based on environmental life cycle assessment.
Mat 03	Responsible Sourcing of Materials	Materials are sourced from responsible and sustainable supply chains.
Wst 01	Construction Waste Management	Construction waste is minimized and diverted from landfill through reuse and recycling.
Wst 02	Recycled Aggregates	Use of recycled and secondary aggregates reduces demand for virgin materials.

Pollution

2 controls

Controls in the Pollution domain of BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method — 2 controls
Code	Title	Description
BREEAM-POL-01	Refrigerant Impact	Specify refrigerants with low Global Warming Potential and install leak detection systems on refrigerant containing plan...
BREEAM-POL-03	Flood and Surface Water Management	Locate the building outside flood zones where possible and provide sustainable drainage to control surface water run off...

Transport

2 controls

Controls in the Transport domain of BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method — 2 controls
Code	Title	Description
BREEAM-TRA-01	Transport Assessment and Travel Plan	Conduct a transport assessment and develop a travel plan promoting sustainable transport modes for occupants.
BREEAM-TRA-03	Cyclist Facilities	Provide compliant cyclist facilities including covered storage, showers, lockers, and changing facilities.

Waste

2 controls

Controls in the Waste domain of BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method — 2 controls
Code	Title	Description
BREEAM-WST-01	Construction Waste Management	Implement a site waste management plan with targets for diversion from landfill and segregation of waste streams.
BREEAM-WST-03	Operational Waste	Provide dedicated space for segregation and storage of operational recyclables and waste with adequate sizing for the bu...

Water

2 controls

Controls in the Water domain of BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method — 2 controls
Code	Title	Description
BREEAM-WAT-01	Water Consumption	Specify sanitaryware and appliances to reduce potable water demand using a BREEAM water calculator.
BREEAM-WAT-02	Water Monitoring	Install pulsed output water meters on incoming supply and major water consuming areas connected to the BMS.

Your Compliance Coverage

If you comply with BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, you already cover:

SASB Standards

15%

7 controls mapped

Compare →

ISO 26000:2010

15%

7 controls mapped

Compare →

OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct (2023 Update)

11%

5 controls mapped

Compare →

+ 70 more: ISO 20400:2017 - Sustainable Procurement (9%), NIST AI 600-1: Generative AI Profile (9%)

See all 73 mapped frameworks ↓

Maps to 73 other frameworks

47 total controls

SASB Standards

7 source controls mapped|5 target controls covered

15%

ISO 26000:2010

7 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered

15%

OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct (2023 Update)

5 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered

11%

ISO 20400:2017 - Sustainable Procurement

4 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered

NIST AI 600-1: Generative AI Profile

4 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI

3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered

ISO 14001

3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered

ISO/IEC 38500:2024 - Governance of IT

3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

ISO 37000:2021 - Governance of Organizations

3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered

TNFD Recommendations

3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) - Net-Zero Standard

3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered

ISO 14064 - Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Verification (Parts 1-3)

3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered

IEC 60601-1 - Medical Electrical Equipment Safety

3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

TCFD Recommendations

2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered

OECD Recommendation on Artificial Intelligence (2024 Update)

2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered

OECD AI Principles

2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

ITU Radio Regulations and Space Security Standards

2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

ICMM Mining Principles (2024 Update)

2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

LEED v4.1 - Green Building Rating System (US Green Building Council)

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

NIST SP 800-171A Rev 3 - Assessing CUI Security Requirements

1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered

BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 9

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

UK Gambling Commission - Cyber Resilience Requirements

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

UK FCA/PRA Operational Resilience Framework

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

TISAX - Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange

1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered

SA8000:2014 - Social Accountability Standard

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

PIC/S Guide to Good Manufacturing Practice for Medicinal Products

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

PAS 1192-5:2015 - Security-Minded Approach to BIM and Digital Built Environments

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

NIST SP 800-82 Revision 3: Guide to Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

NIST Privacy Framework

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

NERC CIP

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

ICH Q10 - Pharmaceutical Quality System

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

ICAO Annex 17 - Aviation Security (AVSEC)

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

IAEA Nuclear Security Series - Computer Security at Nuclear Facilities (NSS-17-T Rev 1)

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

French Sapin II Law (Law No. 2016-1691)

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

ISO 22316

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

ISO 27019

1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered

FBI CJIS Security Policy

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

API 1164

1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered

ISO 41001:2018 - Facility Management Systems

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

Annex 11 to EU GMP - Computerised Systems

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

South Korea ISMS-P

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

ISO/IEC 27011:2024

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

Space ISAC (Information Sharing and Analysis Center) - Threat Framework

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programmes - Global Standards

1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered

IEC 62443

1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered

ISO/IEC 27010:2015

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

21 CFR Part 211 - Current Good Manufacturing Practice

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

ISO 15189:2022 - Medical Laboratories Requirements for Quality and Competence

1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered

APRA CPS 230 Operational Risk Management

1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered

ISO/IEC 23894:2023

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

ISO/IEC 27003:2017

1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered

CISA Cross-Sector Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPG) 2.0

1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered

Automotive SPICE (ASPICE) v4.0 - Process Assessment Model

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

AS9100D:2016 - Quality Management Systems for Aviation, Space, and Defence

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

AS9100D - Aerospace Quality Management System

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

ISO 28001:2007 Supply Chain Security Management

1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered

SQF Code Edition 9 - Safe Quality Food

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

NIST SP 800-124 Revision 2 - Guidelines for Managing the Security of Mobile Devices

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

ISO 22317

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

ISO 22318

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

Singapore Government Instruction Manual on ICT&SS Management (IM8)

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

ISO 50001:2018 - Energy Management Systems

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) - Responsible Minerals Assurance Process

1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered

NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0

1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered

Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF) Release 2024

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered

Solvency II

1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered

NIST SP 1800-32

1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered

Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (SOCI)

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

UK Security and Emergency Measures Direction (SEMD) - Water Industry

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

Sigstore - Software Artifact Signing and Verification

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

UK Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

GHG Protocol

1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered

Compare BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method with SASB Standards

What is BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method and who does it apply to?

BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method is a compliance framework from International (BRE Global) with 14 domains and 47 controls. BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is the world's oldest green building certification scheme, established in 1990 by BRE Global. It assesses and certifies the sustainability performance of buildings across their lifecycle. Categories include management, health and wellbeing, energy, transport, water, materials, waste, land use and ecology, and pollution. Rating levels: Pass, Good, Very Good, Excellent, and Outstanding. Over 590,000 buildings certified in 90+ countries. It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

What does BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method actually require?

BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method has 47 controls organised across 14 domains. The largest domains are Management (9 controls), Health and Wellbeing (5 controls), Land Use, Ecology, and Pollution (5 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.

If I already comply with another framework, how much of BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method do I already cover?

BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method maps to 73 other compliance frameworks. The top mapping partners are SASB Standards (15% coverage), ISO 26000:2010 (15% coverage), OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct (2023 Update) (11% coverage). Use our comparison tool to explore control-level mappings between frameworks.

How do I implement BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method?

Start your BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method compliance journey by running a self-assessment on our platform to identify your current compliance posture. Our AI advisory can answer specific questions about BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method requirements, and cross-framework mapping helps you leverage existing controls from other frameworks you may already comply with. Create a free account to access all 47 controls and track your progress.

Start Your Compliance Journey

Create a free account to run self-assessments, get AI advisory, and track your compliance progress across 686 frameworks.

Get Started Free →

Free forever — no credit card required