Scottish building standards sustainability labelling
In Scotland, ministers are responsible for making building standards (equivalent to the building regulations in England) and the associated technical guidance documents. Local authorities act as verifiers administering the building standards system, granting permissions (building warrants) and completion certificates. The main purpose of the standards is to ensure that buildings are safe, efficient and sustainable.
Proposals to introduce sustainability labelling to the Scottish Building Standards for all new buildings were developed by a construction industry working group and made available for public consultation in late 2010. They were induced on 1st of May 2011 by The Building (Scotland) Act.
The labelling system is described in Section 7 of the Scottish Building Standards Technical Handbooks. New buildings that meet the building standards are given a Bronze level label, whilst optional higher levels of sustainability can be given Silver, Gold and Platinum labels.
The labelling system can be used to demonstrate developers’ commitment to sustainability. It can also give planning authorities a mechanism for delivering their obligations under Section 72 of The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 'Development plans: inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions policies'.
Aspects of development considered by the system include:
- Resource use: including energy for space and water heating, CO2 emissions and water use.
- Adaptability: providing dedicated spaces for home working, electric wheelchairs, prams or bicycles.
- Occupant wellbeing: including enhanced noise insulation, increased natural light and improved security provisions.
- Whether buildings incorporate low or zero-carbon generating technology (LZCGT).
The labelling system has been fully developed for domestic buildings, but as yet has only been partially developed for non-domestic buildings.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
Featured articles and news
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.