New Construction / International /

V7

Information correct as of 26thFebruary 2026. Please see kb.breeam.com for the latest compliance information.

Approved Equivalent Roles List (AERL) - KBCN1809

BREEAM International standards are unique because of their flexibility. For International projects, Assessors can submit roles to substitute those described in the Technical Manuals. Provided that such roles are equivalent to the BREEAM specified roles, BRE Global will approve them for use in a particular country or region. The Approved Equivalent Roles List is a record of all roles that BRE Global has approved to date. The list is periodically updated to reflect recent approvals or withdrawals. Using existing approved roles Where you are using an approved role, and not the role described in the criteria in the scheme Technical Manuals, a copy of the AERL should be included as part of your evidence submission for QA. AERL versions The version of the AERL that is current at the time of registration is the one that is used for assessment. Newer versions released after this can also be used, however older versions before the registration date cannot be used. For example: if the version current at registration was v3.0, then v3.0 (or any later versions) can be used, but v2.0 (or any earlier versions) cannot be used. Proposing new roles New roles cannot be proposed if they are not of equal competency to the BREEAM requirements. Only roles which are equivalent or more rigorous than the BREEAM default roles are considered. If you wish to propose a new role which you think is equivalent in your country or region:
  1. Check what the role needs to cover by referring to the roles described in the scheme Technical Manual definition.
  2. Complete BF2599 BREEAM Approved Equivalent Roles Application Form and send this to our Technical Team via the Query Webform, adding AERL into the subject field.
The information provided to us within this form must include: We will need a few weeks to review the information (please check with us for time scales). If there is missing information, or the information is not clearly referenced, this might take longer. If successful, we will send you a revised copy of the AERL which includes the new role, and will update this for future versions of the AERL.

ASWL Process update - KBCN1756

Formerly known as the ASWL for V6 and 2016, this has been renamed as Approved Standards List (ASL) for V7. It follows a similar Excel format to the International New Construction ASWL for V6 and 2016 versions. The V7 ASL document has been updated to align with the International New Construction V7 manual.  In Version 7, we’ve introduced several updates to improve the approved standards and weightings process: 

Bamboo, cork and other non-timber forest products – Responsible sourcing - KBCN1768

Non-timber forest products, such as bamboo and cork should be responsibly sourced to minimise the environmental impacts and protect local ecosystems. However, as they are not timber or timber-based products, these fall outside the scope of the Prerequisite. Where such products are integrated into a building, they should, nonetheless, be assessed and included in the calculator under ‘Other materials’.

BREEAM Excel Tools - KBCN1755

The new BREEAM Platform now integrates all Excel-based calculator tools directly into the system for a more streamlined experience. Simply input your data, and the platform will automatically calculate and display the results.   Please note, this functionality currently applies only to BREEAM New Construction V7. 

BREEAM New Construction V7 – FAQs - KBCN1754

The FAQ webpage has been developed to provide early clarification and guidance on aspects of BREEAM New Construction Version 7 (NC V7). It is intended to address questions and highlight key changes from previous versions. Further guidance is provided within the published technical manual, and this will be supplemented by Knowledge Base Compliance Notes (KBCNs). To see the full list of FAQs, please refer to the Version 7 FAQs webpage

Capped gas supplies – Shell & core assessments - KBCN1818

If a capped-off gas supply is provided, this does not prevent credits from being awarded under criterion 1. The key requirement is that all heating and hot water systems designed or installed within the scope of works (the core services) must use non-combustion systems.

Capped gas supplies – Shell & core assessments - KBCN1818

If a capped-off gas supply is provided, this does not prevent credits from being awarded under criterion 1. The key requirement is that all heating and hot water systems designed or installed within the scope of works (the core services) must use non-combustion systems.

Clarification of ‘Embodied carbon benchmark comparison’ - KBCN1819

The embodied carbon benchmark comparison must always be based on the latest appropriate LCA stage that corresponds to the BREEAM assessment stage being pursued. The purpose of the benchmark comparison is to assess outcome-based embodied carbon performance, using data that is representative of the building at the relevant assessment stage.

Assessment stage requirements

Interim (Design Stage) BREEAM assessments

Final Post-Construction Stage (PCS) BREEAM assessments

If a PCS LCA is not undertaken, benchmark comparison credits cannot be awarded at final assessment, regardless of whether a technical design LCA was previously completed. This aligns with wider industry frameworks (e.g. RICS WLCA v2 and the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard), which anchor performance claims to as-built outcomes.

Daylight – Shading devices - KBCN1815

If any of the assessed spaces are expected to contain moveable shading device (such as blinds), then a dynamic modelling of their use should be included in the calculation for options 2 and 3, consideration should be made to the shading guidance in EN 17037 or IES LM-83-23, respectively. Option 1 does not have to include dynamic modelling of moveable shading devices. This will be updated in the next re-issue of the new construction version 7 schemes.

Emissions from products – specialist paints and coatings - KBCN0872

Where a paint or coating falls within: then the paint or coating must be assessed. Specialist paints and coatings are exempted from meeting the VOC content and emission limits where there are no alternative products available that can perform the function, and still meet the emission limits. This must be clearly evidenced. 
30-Oct-2025 Applicable to HQM V6 and UKNCR V6.1
02-Oct-2025 Reference to 'VOC content' added and KBCN applied to UKNC V7 and INC V7 to clarify CN2.1 
27-Oct-2022 Wording clarified. New compliance principle added from UKNC V6.
10-Oct-2022 Title amended for clarity. Scheme applicability updated.
13-Mar-2020 KBCN amended to clarify exceptions and applicability.
16-Jun-2017 Content merged with KBCN0212.

ERRATUM – Enhanced Amenities - KBCN1817

The wording and approach to assessing ‘enhanced’ amenities in the technical manual is incorrect. The Aim of this assessment issue is, ‘To maximise the potential for people to choose public, active and lower-emission private transport by providing the site with convenient, sustainable options.’ In line with this intent, an ‘enhanced amenity’ should be referred to as an additional amenity, as it must provide an additional compliant amenity resulting from the development. If a development provides an amenity to replace an existing amenity, regardless of whether there is a qualitative enhancement or change of amenity type, this must be considered as an existing amenity. Furthermore, an additional amenity provided by the development may only be considered as such where there is a net increase in the number of compliant amenities resulting from the development. The updated guidance can be found below:   Option 10 - Additional amenities: Provide compliant additional amenities within less than or equal to 500 m of the building entrance. M4.2: Additional amenities Two or three points can be awarded for providing additional amenities ≤ 500 m via a safe pedestrian route. If additional amenities duplicate the services provided by existing amenities, this is still recognised. This is because duplicate amenities still create additional choices for users in terms of services offered and location. If a development provides an amenity to replace an existing amenity, regardless of whether there is a qualitative enhancement or change of amenity type, this must be considered as an existing amenity. A new amenity provided by the development may only be considered as ‘additional’ where there is a net increase in the number of compliant amenities resulting from the development. 2 points: at least one additional amenity 3 points: two or more additional amenities This will be updated in the next reissue of the technical manual.

Erratum – NCV7 – Ene 08 Installed controls - KBCN1812

There is a printing error in the following: UKNC V7 Ene 08 Table 6.18 INC V7 Ene 08 Table 43 The correct options for Installed controls for space heating are:
Control type Control functionality Points awarded
Heat generator output – heat pumps Multi-stage control (e.g. several on/off compressors) 1
Variable control (e.g. hot gas bypass, inverter frequency control) 2
  The technical manual will be updated accordingly in the next re-issue.

ERRATUM – Scope – Mixed-use developments and building types - KBCN1820

The wording and approach set out for assessing mixed-use developments in the technical manual is incorrect. Developments comprising of separate buildings with different function types cannot be assessed under a single assessment, unless they meet the conditions for Section 6 of GN20 (Separate buildings with a single, over-arching function). The updated guidance can be found below: Mixed-use developments and building types BREEAM defines different criteria and benchmarks for some assessment issues according to building type, function and use. A single building that includes different functions areas, e.g. office and retail, can be assessed under a single BREEAM assessment. Each area will need to comply with the relevant criteria for the building type. BREEAM credits that are awarded based on performance scales, such as Ene 01, Ene 02, Wat 01 and Mat 01, will be calculated on an area weighted basis. Buildings that are a mix of commercial and residential asset types, and developments which comprise of separate buildings with different function types, will need separate BREEAM assessments. Further guidance can be found in Guidance Note 20.

Flood Risk Assessment older than five years - KBCN1744

This sentence appears in the definition of 'Flood Risk Assessment': Where more than five years have passed since the FRA was carried out, evidence would be required to demonstrate that the basis of the FRA has not changed in that time. The requirement for evidence that the basis of the FRA has not changed where more than five years have passed is applicable only at Design Stage. It is not required at Post Construction Stage where a compliant FRA was undertaken at Design Stage and the development was carried out in accordance with that design.

Glare control – Modelling - KBCN1800

The ‘Glare control’ criteria do not require a specific methodology to be used to identify areas at risk of glare, and in most situations, a simple solar path analysis would be suitable. Alternatively, detailed hourly modelling methods, such as DGP and ASE, may be more appropriate. However, in either case, compliance cannot be assumed. Regardless of the methodology used, the modelling must be supported by robust reporting to demonstrate that each aspect of the criteria has been met.

GN20 Assessing mixed-use and multiple buildings – BREEAM V7 - KBCN0717

Latest version: v1.0, January 2026 Guidance Note 20 (GN20) provides information to help BREEAM Assessors formulate an assessment strategy for mixed-use developments, assets that include different levels of fit out, and for multiple buildings or units on the same site using BREEAM V7. This guidance note only applies to BREEAM V7. There is a separate guidance note for earlier versions of BREEAM NC and RFO (see Guidance Note 10). Download Guidance Note 20 View all Guidance Notes on BREEAM Projects (licensed assessors only) 
29-Jan-2026 - Updated for release of GN20 1.0

GN41 Reporting template for ecology assessment issues – BREEAM V7 - KBCN1748

Latest version: v0.0, July 2025 Guidance Note 41 (GN41) is an optional template to help Assessors relate information generated during a project to the latest ecology assessment issues in BREEAM NC V7. This is a new template for V7. There is a separate reporting template for previous versions of BREEAM UK NC, BREEAM UKNCR, and HQM (see Guidance Note 40). Download Guidance Note 41 View all Guidance Notes on BREEAM Projects (licensed assessors only)

GN49 International Ene 01 calculation methodology guidance - KBCN1749

Latest version: v0.0, July 2025 Guidance Note 49 (GN49) gives background information on the methodology for determining the number of credits achieved for energy performance under the Ene 01 assessment issue for BREEAM International NC V7. The Ene 01 methodology uses a triple metric approach that addresses energy demand for heating and cooling, primary energy consumption, and carbon dioxide emissions. The aim of using this approach is to minimise the energy consumption and carbon emissions from regulated energy uses and to maximise the use of low carbon energy sources. Guidance Note 49 also includes the adjustment factors that are applied to uplift the reference metrics in Ene 01 for BREEAM International NC V7. It describes the methodology for determining the factors and the application process to have a country’s adjustment factor added or updated. Download Guidance Note 49 View all Guidance Notes on BREEAM Projects (licensed assessors only)

GN53 Energy modelling and predicted operational energy performance score in Ene 02 - KBCN1751

Latest version: v0.2, February 2026 Guidance Note 53 (GN53) provides guidance for the predictive energy modelling and predicted operational energy performance score credits within Ene 02, detailing the input process for the issue’s operational energy calculator. Download Guidance Note 53 View all Guidance Notes on BREEAM Projects (licensed assessors only) 
16-Feb-2026 - Updated for release of GN53 0.2

GN54 Responsible construction management – BREEAM V7 - KBCN1752

Latest version: v0.0, July 2025 Guidance Note 54 (GN54) provides information on achieving the responsible construction management requirements in Man 03 in BREEAM V7. It has two parts: This guidance note only applies to BREEAM V7. There is a separate guidance note for earlier versions of BREEAM UK NC and UKNCR (see Guidance Note 33). Download Guidance Note 54 View all Guidance Notes on BREEAM Projects (licensed assessors only)

Hotels and other short stay accommodation – cycle storage unit of measure - KBCN0676

The cycle storage requirement for hotels and other short‑stay accommodation is 1 space per 10 staff. Guests or visitors staying at the hotel are excluded from the calculation. Where a hotel includes on‑site facilities such as conference spaces, restaurants, or gyms, visitors to these facilities should also be included in the cycle-storage calculation: 1 space per 10 guests. Specific Note for Refurbishment and Fit Out International 2015 Table 36 in the technical manual incorrectly refers to “1 staff and 1 visitor, or 1 bed.” Please ignore this error and follow the guidance above. 
16-Feb-2026 - Wording update to be applicable across multiple BREEAM Schemes
20-Oct-2025 - Guidance clarified and updated to align with all current BREEAM scheme guidance.
23-Jul-2018 Wording added to include clarification on what to base the calculation of cycle spaces on.
Technical manual to be updated accordingly in next re-issue.

Independent third party – clarification on the definition - KBCN1805

For the purposes of BREEAM, sister companies or parent companies cannot be considered as third parties.  To be classed as an independent third party, there must be no professional connection or relationship between the LCA consultant/energy assessor, or their company, and the verification body. The third-party verifier must be independent of the LCA or energy assessor and demonstrate impartiality (for general principles, see ISO 17029). To qualify as a third party, the verifier must belong to an organisation not involved in the project and must not provide advice to the project, as this could compromise their impartiality during verification.

Knowledge Base – Applicability of existing guidance to NC V7 - KBCN1757

We are in the process of undertaking a comprehensive review of existing guidance on the Knowledge Base for BREEAM New Construction to determine its applicability to New Construction Version 7, and the Knowledge Base will be updated in due course. In the meantime, if you wish to apply for a previous KBCN, please review the changes outlined in the Summary of Changes and compare the criteria in the technical manuals. If the criteria are the same, and you are satisfied that a previous New Construction KBCN is relevant to NC V7, you can follow this guidance. If there are differences in the New Construction V7 criteria, but you believe an existing KBCN can be applied, please submit a technical query on the webform to confirm this.

LCC – Competent person or Suitably Qualified Cost Consultant (SQCC) - KBCN1803

The definition of a competent person, or SQCC as named within HQM or BREEAM New Construction Residential, has been updated to provide further clarification and is now defined as set out below: An individual achieving all the following items can be considered to be ‘suitably qualified’ for the purpose of completing the LCC credits:
  1. Holds a recognised qualification for undertaking life cycle costing studies and/or a degree/postgraduate diploma or equivalent qualification in quantity surveying, construction economics or other construction-related subject.
  2. Has acquired substantial expertise through a minimum of three years relevant experience (within the last five years). The experience must clearly demonstrate a practical understanding of life cycle costing in construction and the built environment and show an ability to identify and demonstrate cost and performance enhancement measures.
  3. Is not professionally connected to a single manufacturer
A CV should be provided demonstrating their experience and knowledge against the above requirements.  

Legally harvested and traded timber – Examples - KBCN0956

The following examples are considered compliant for BREEAM: Legally harvested:
  1. Evidence of compliance with the UK government Timber Procurement Policy (see here, timber bought inside the UK only)
  2. FSC, PEFC, SFI or GiB certification
  3. Evidence of compliance with the EUTR (timber bought inside the EU only)
  4. Risk assessment/due diligence documentation demonstrating a low risk of non-compliance with the ‘legally harvested’ requirements given in the manual.
Legally traded:
  1. Evidence of compliance with the UK government Timber Procurement Policy (see here, timber bought inside the UK only)
  2. FSC, PEFC, SFI or GiB certification
  3. Risk assessment/due diligence documentation demonstrating a low risk of non-compliance with the ‘legally traded’ requirements given in the manual.
04-Dec-2025 - Examples updated to include Grown in Britain (GiB) certification. Previous reference to 'CPET' clarified as 'UK government Timber Procurement Policy'.
KBCN applied more widely to all relevant scheme issues in BREEAM and HQM

Meeting the minimum standard requirement – compliance when chain of custody is broken - KBCN1816

Where there is a broken chain in the last link between the purchase and delivery of certified timber from the supplier and the forwarding distribution of the timber to the site under assessment, such as where the timber has been delivered to a subcontractor or fabricator’s premises instead of direct to site (e.g. as part of a bulk order or where limited storage is available on site), compliance can still be achieved if a documented risk assessment confirms that there is low risk of mixing or substitution of certified and non-certified timber. Ways to demonstrate compliance: A. Verification that the subcontractor or fabricator only purchases and uses certified timber. There must be robust mechanisms in place to verify that all timber materials purchased and delivered originate from sustainably managed sources. This includes maintaining documented timber procurement policies and procedures that mandate certified timber orders and delivery checks. Comprehensive supplier details should be readily accessible for review upon request to demonstrate that all timber is certified. B. Where non-certified timber is handled/stored or sourced, that there are robust control measures in place to prevent any substitution or mixing of certified and non-certified timber at every stage of the process. Documentation demonstrating compliance should be maintained and made available upon request. Examples of appropriate control measures are listed below:
Control
Evidence required
Purchasing records All purchase orders, requisition notes, and contracts must explicitly specify the product details and confirm that materials are to originate from legal and sustainable sources.

Segregated storage of timber

 Site layout map, stock control processes and records to confirm that certified timber is stored away from non-certified timber.
Segregated delivery of timber to site - All timber must be thoroughly inspected and verified before shipment to confirm that it is correctly marked/labelled as FSC/PEFC-certified. - Delivery notes must be accurately maintained. - A second-party verification process to check tickets and stock, must be carried out upon site delivery to confirm certified status of timber.
Documentation Comprehensive documentation must enable independent assessors to trace any timber back to its sustainable source. This includes maintaining purchase records, goods-inward notices, stock records, and sales documentation such as orders and invoices.
The above is guidance and should not replace any local or national requirements for the sourcing of legally traded and harvested timber.

Operational waste requirement for catering – applicability - KBCN1162

The additional operational waste storage requirement for developments which include catering is generally only applicable where a commercial scale kitchen is present. Where the design team can justify that there will be no significant waste streams from a modest facility, such as a small cafe, selling only drinks and pre-prepared snacks, the additional waste storage area identified in the default values does not need to be provided to meet compliance. 
21-Jan-2026 Applied to NC V6 and V7 standards

Verification of Security Needs Assessments/Security Risk Assessments - KBCN1770

Where the author of a Security Needs Assessment [‘Security Risk Assessment’ in BIU] does not meet the BREEAM competency requirements, compliance can still be achieved where the report is reviewed and verified by a qualified SQSS [‘Competent Person’ in BIU], who confirms in writing that it is accurate, appropriate and in line with industry best practice. In these circumstances, the SQSS or ‘Competent Person’ is expected to verify and take ownership of the report and accept professional responsibility for its content.

VOC credit issues – Clarification of scope - KBCN1797

The scope of these requirements does not include furnishings or moveable furniture, e.g. desks, seats or shelving. It includes fixtures and fittings that are integral to the building, such as kitchen units and toilet cubicles. However, bespoke fixtures, such as purpose-made items of fixed furniture, can be excluded, as the specified compliance testing is not appropriate for such items.
Information correct as of 26thFebruary 2026. Please see kb.breeam.com for the latest compliance information.