Changes to CCS – May 2026 – For BREEAM V7 - KBCN1873
In response to the 2026 update to the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS), the equivalent CCS score requirements for achieving credits are set out in the orange columns of the table below. Credits will be awarded based on the site’s average performance across all visits, as reported on the final certificate.
Where a project has received site inspections under both the previous and updated versions of the CCS scheme, the higher score may be used to determine credit achievement. For example, where a project achieved an Excellent rating under the 2022 CCS scheme but a Very Good rating under the 2026 CCS scheme, the higher (Excellent) rating can be used.
This approach ensures that projects are not disadvantaged during the transition between CCS versions.
Whilst the platform is being updated to include the new CCS percentage scores within the question drop-downs, please select the equivalent CCS 2022 Scheme score to award credits.
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:
- Part 1 lists the requirements that must be met to achieve credits for responsible construction management in BREEAM V7.
- Part 2 provides a list of the schemes or tools that have been evaluated by BREEAM and can contribute to the achievement of one or more credits for responsible construction management.
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)
Legally harvested and traded timber – Examples - KBCN0956
The following examples are considered compliant for BREEAM purposes.
Legally harvested:
- Evidence of compliance with the CPET (see here, timber bought inside the UK only)
- FSC, PEFC or SFI certification
- Evidence of compliance with the EUTR (timber bought inside the EU only)
- ASTM D7612-21 (projects in USA and Canada)
- Risk assessment/due diligence documentation demonstrating a low risk of non-compliance with the ‘legally harvested’ requirements given in the manual.
Legally traded:
- Evidence of compliance with the CPET (see here, timber bought inside the UK only)
- FSC, PEFC or SFI certification
- ASTM D7612-21 (projects in USA and Canada)
- Risk assessment/due diligence documentation demonstrating a low risk of non-compliance with the ‘legally traded’ requirements given in the manual.
17-Dec-2025 Reference to ASTM D7612-21 added
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.
1 June 2026 - Updated to apply to UK New Construction and RFO Schemes
Information correct as of 18