BREEAM In-Use is a new scheme to help building managers reduce the running costs and improve the environmental performance of existing buildings. It consists of a standard, an easy-to-use assessment methodology and a 3rd party certification process that provides a clear and credible route map to improving sustainability.

The biggest opportunity to address the UK's environmental impact lies in better management and improvement of the existing building stock. BREEAM In-Use has been developed to recognise and encourage better building management and targeted investment in existing building stock.

The BREEAM-In Use scheme enables building managers to self-assess the performance of their portfolio using the online BREEAM In-Use tool. Training is provided to license BREEAM In-Use Auditors to verify the building manager's self assessment and provide a certificate.

BREEAM In-Use assessments differ from the established BREEAM schemes in that BREEAM assessors undertake an assessment of new buildings and submit the data to BRE Global to review and issue a certificate. Where as for BREEAM In-Use the Auditor is trained to verify the data obtained by the building manager and issue the certificate themselves. In that way the Training provided by BRE focuses on the technique required to verify the data given by the building manager.

The assessment tool will enable building managers to see the impact of their building and existing systems and initiatives, as well as the potential impact of any proposed changes. Please see tab below to access the BREEAM In-Use tool. Note the BIU software is not currently fully functional. Certain aspects of the software will be phased in over the coming months. However most functions of the software can be achieved by manually submitting verified and unverified scores to BRE Global. Please see link to BREEAM In-Use scheme document for further information. 

BREEAM In-Use Auditors may not provide formal consultation to Assessors, but may coach the Assessor as to improvements that could result in a higher BREEAM In-Use score.

BREEAM In-Use is designed to:

• Reduce operational costs

• Enhance the value and marketability of property assets

• Give a transparent platform for negotiating building improvements with landlords and owners

• Provide a route to compliance with environmental legislation and standards, such as energy labelling and ISO 14001

• Give greater engagement with staff in implementing sustainable business practices

• Provide opportunities to improve staff satisfaction with the working environment with the potential for significant improvements in productivity

• Demonstrate your commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

• Improve organisational effectiveness

• Provide a genuine badge of proven sustainability

The environmental performance of an organisation's built assets is a key factor in its sustainability credentials and carbon footprint. Operating a building also represents a major cost - with soaring energy prices and the current gloomy economic outlook, cutting energy, water, waste and other such costs can be a relatively easy way of improving profitability

BREEAM In-Use sits alongside the already well established BREEAM schemes for assessing the environmental performance of buildings at the design and construction stages. All those involved in occupying, procuring or managing existing buildings can now evaluate - and improve - the performance of their property assets and the quality of their management regimes.