BREEAM® ES sustainability certification: why the assessor's work is essential
BREEAM® ES sustainability certifications certify that a building, regardless of its size or whether it is new or existing, has certain characteristics that improve its environmental performance, its energy efficiency and the well-being of its users.
When the owner of a building considers obtaining BREEAM® ES sustainability certification, a process begins in which the assessor carries out consultancy work, based on their experience, which is essential to achieve the goal.
The assessor is an independent technician recognised by BREEAM® ES, who has specific training that enables him/her to advise and audit all phases of the project. You can consult the stages of the BREEAM® ES certification process here.
The work of the assessor begins with the definition of the scoring objectives, which will depend on the characteristics of the building, the type of certification scheme and the requirements selected for scoring.
BREEAM® ES has five schemes: new build, residential, urban, in-use and bespoke. Each of the schemes assesses and scores different categories: management, health and wellbeing, energy, transport, water, etc. The consultant advises the client on which categories are most appropriate in their particular case.
Thanks to the design of the building, the facilities or the use of materials with low environmental impact, energy consumption, water consumption and waste generation can be minimised and the comfort and well-being of the users can be maximised, among other benefits.
Once the scoring objectives and categories have been defined, the consultant determines which documentation and/or actions are necessary to accredit this score and which may affect the design of the project, the development of the work, the equipment, etc. and monitors these actions, establishing deadlines and resolving related issues.
Finally, after an audit to check whether the requirements have been met and the proposed score has been achieved, the consultant issues a report justifying compliance with the requirements.
Experience, therefore, is key to the assessor's work and service to the property owner. After the implementation of the BREEAM® ES sustainability certification system in Spain in 2009 and since our first certified building in 2010, Eurocontrol has been the assessor for 79 certificates. More than 550,000 m2 of work built within the Breeam Housing, logistics warehouses and retirement homes schemes for New Construction and office buildings and shopping centres for Breeam in Use.
More information on this scheme at Breeam Sustainability Certification