Security rating scheme – SABRE update

BRE’s partnership with the Security Institute for SABRE certification ends on 31 August 2025. From this date, SABRE will no longer be offered by The Security Institute.

The following guidance applies to projects targeting the security rating scheme criteria:

Ongoing and Registered Projects

Projects with existing or ongoing SABRE involvement may continue to pursue exemplary level credit using SABRE, provided that registration and certification activities occur before 31 August 2025. It is the responsibility of the project team to ensure that any SABRE-related assessments and certifications are completed and documented within the support window, in line with the BREEAM certification timeline.

New Projects (post 31 August 2025)

BRE is actively monitoring the market; however, no alternative schemes have been reviewed or accepted in place of SABRE.

However, whilst the exemplary credit may no longer be available via the SABRE route, project teams wishing to achieve an improved level of security for a development may still seek to engage with a SABRE professional and integrate the principles of the scheme into their design.

Key Implications:

The Security rating scheme, exemplary credit remains available; however, assessors must:

  • Propose an alternative, equivalent risk-based security rating scheme, and
  • Submit the scheme for review via the BREEAM Technical Query process.

Acceptance of alternatives will be based on whether the proposed scheme demonstrates:

  • Third-party verification
  • Structured risk-based assessment
  • Defined performance standards
  • Relevance to the development stage and typology