00 - General - BREEAM Knowledge Base

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:

Check what the role needs to cover by referring to the roles described in the scheme Technical Manual definition.
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:

the names of the proposed role(s)
confirmation of the scheme and issues the role should apply to
confirmation of the roles / competent persons you are referring to in the manual
a detailed explanation of how this work is conducted in your market and how it meets the same level of competency as the BREEAM requirements
documentation to support your explanation which is clearly marked for our ease of reference. If the documentation is not in English, translations of the relevant sections must be provided.

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:

Pre-populated country sheets and weightings are now available for countries where most assessments have previously taken place. This will make it easier and quicker for assessors to begin assessments in those countries.

The process has been streamlined by integrating the ‘Detailed Checks on Standards’ sheet directly into each individual country sheet.

The ASL process remains consistent with that used in Version 6.

The V7 weightings form (used for generating weightings in new countries) has been updated with new, relevant questions to align with the International New Construction Version 7 manual. However, the overall weightings process remains the same as for Version 6 and 2016.

Looking ahead, we plan to transition the ASL process to an online format. Further details will be shared in upcoming assessor updates.

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

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.

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 International NC V7. Download Guidance Note 41 View all Guidance Notes on BREEAM Projects (licensed assessors only)

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.

New Construction / International / V7 /

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