BREEAM USA In-Use Version 6
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
On 11 May 2020, BRE Global announced that following a significant period of development, BREEAM USA In-Use Version 6 was live.
[edit] Key points in the update
This update reflects the latest building research and science, best practices and standards as well as consultation with stakeholders. In addition to improvements in the standard for commercial assets, BREEAM In-Use includes residential for the first time, the result of an 18-month long pilot process with participants around the world.
One of the most significant changes with this update was to pivot BREEAM from not just looking back at past environmental performance but looking towards protecting the asset’s environmental and financial performance in the future. This linking of asset value growth and protection and environmental performance has always existed in BREEAM, but the changing world made it imperative that it was addressed more intentionally.
This update put a significant emphasis on the integration of resilience with environmental performance and occupant health and wellbeing at the asset level. Alongside this, BRE have woven social impact into the standard, acknowledging that asset resilience is deeply connected to the resilience and sustainability of the communities in which they are located. BREEAM is the first global rating system to incorporate these elements alongside environmental performance in a single program and with a focus on existing buildings.
[edit] Tools
Clients and assessors have access to everything they need to start measuring performance using Version 6 for both commercial and residential assets from the BREEAM USA website, including:
- The technical manuals for commercial and residential, with the full technical detail available to download at no cost.
- A summary of changes from the 2016 version for the commercial manual that highlights how residential fits into the programme.
- A summary of the external feedback received globally during public consultation and how it was addressed.
- An updated fee sheet including Version 6’s three-year certificate validity to provide maximum value.
There is also a technical standard summary to provide an overview of the topics covered in the updated version.
Version 6 registrations are open for commercial and residential assets. Commercial assets are able to register and benchmark through an updated online platform.
Online registration and benchmarking for residential assets will come online by late summer 2020, with offline Scoring and Reporting Tools are available for the interim.
v2016 will remain open for registrations for one year from May 2020, giving clients and Assessors time to plan before they have to upgrade. Assets that are due to expire after this one-year window will need to recertify in Version 6.
You can find out more at: https://www.breeam.com/news/breeam-usa-in-use-version-6-is-here/
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BRE articles.
- BREEAM In-Use International 2015.
- BREEAM In-Use International.
- BREEAM In-Use Version 6 environmental standard launched by BRE.
- BREEAM USA and Fitwel.
- BREEAM USA.
- BREEAM USA In-Use: Residential Plus.
- BREEAM.
- Building Back Better: Health.
- Building Back Better: Net zero carbon and BREEAM.
- Building Back Better: Resilience.
- Building Research Establishment.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.