BREEAM v6 to v7: what the transition means for your project

BREEAM v7 was introduced in July 2025, bringing a number of significant changes to key credits that could impact how your project is assessed. If you registered your project before the BREEAM v6 registration deadline of 27th January 2026, you don’t have to switch to v7. Your registration will stay valid until 27th January 2031, so aim to certify your project before the cut-off date. If you registered your project after the v6 deadline, you’ll need to use BREEAM v7 instead.

Rafaela dos Santos

6th August 2025

Understanding the key BREEAM v6 and v7 changes

Launched in July 2026, BREEAM v7 places a much stronger emphasis on carbon reduction and energy efficiency than its predecessor. This new methodology promotes strategies that reduce embodied and operational carbon, while maintaining high performance standards throughout the building’s lifecycle.

Here are the key changes you should be aware of:

Area	BREEAM v6	BREEAM v7
Life Cycle Assessment and whole life carbon (Mat 01)	Encouraged but not mandatory for Excellent certification	Required for both Excellent and Outstanding scores
Energy (Ene 01-Ene 08)	Energy and carbon are assessed together under Ene 01	Separated into eight distinct issues (Ene 0-Ene 08), with each targeting a specific aspect of building energy performance
Daylight and lighting (Hea 01-Hea 03)	Daylight, glare, views, and lighting all assessed together under Hea 01	Separated into three distinct issues, with each targeting a specific aspect of daylight and internal/external lighting
Indoor Air Quality Plan (Hea 04)	Required for air quality credits but not mandatory	Worth one credit and mandatory for Very Good certification and above
Minimum standards	You can achieve any rating without an LCA, Indoor Air Quality Plan, or removing on-site fossil fuels	Very Good and above: Indoor Air Quality Plan needed Excellent and above: LCA also needed Outstanding: You must demonstrate the removal of on-site fossil fuels and meet the new daylighting standard in Hea 01
Rating boundaries	Pass = 30% Good = 45% Very Good = 55% Excellent = 70% Outstanding = 85%	Pass = 25% Good = 40% Very Good, Excellent, and Outstanding remain the same

whats new in breeam v7 - BREEAM v6 vs v7

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How the BREEAM v6 to v7 transition affects your project

The BREEAM version that applies to your project all comes down to when it was registered. Here are the key dates to be aware of:

Before 27th January 2026 – if you registered your project under BREEAM UK New Construction 2018 (v6 or v6.1) before this date, then your project will stay on that version.
After 27th January 2026 – if you registered your project after this date, it will fall under BREEAM v7 by default. BREEAM v7 registration has been open since 30th September 2025.
27th January 2031 – this is the date that your BREEAM v6 registration expires. Make sure you certify your project before that date, as late submissions may not receive a full certificate.

Switching your project to BREEAM v7

It costs nothing to switch your project from BREEAM v6 to v7. There are two reasons why you might want to consider doing so:

Switching versions will protect your certificate if your programme could run past January 2031.
If you’re targeting Pass or Good, v7 has lower thresholds (25% and 40%) that could make the rating easier to reach.

However, if you do decide to switch your project now, then you must be prepared to meet the tougher criteria set out in BREEAM v7. The best time to do this would be before your design is fixed, as requirements such as an early LCA and stricter daylight targets will shape the floor plans and building services, which can be expensive to change once your drawings are finalised.

Need help preparing for BREEAM v7?

BREEAM v7 offers a much more progressive and ambitious pathway to delivering environmentally resilient buildings. Early engagement with an expert BREEAM Assessor, like we have at Encon Associates, is key to achieving the maximum score possible.

Our in-house Assessors have over 18 years’ experience in conducting BREEAM Assessments, and we are exceptionally proud to have never missed a targeted rating. From providing early-stage advice through to submitting your final assessment to the BRE, we can help you navigate BREEAM v7 with confidence and ensure that your project performs strongly against the updated criteria.

Get in touch to discuss your BREEAM requirements.

Discover more about BREEAM v7

Call: 01159 875 599 or email:

enquiries@enconassociates.com

No. If you registered your project before the BREEAM v6 deadline of 27th January 2026, then this will remain valid until 27th January 2031. However, switching to v7 is entirely optional and won’t cost you anything, so if your programme will extend beyond January 2031 then it might be a good idea to do so.

BREEAM v6 registrations closed on 27th January 2026, so all new projects registering after this date will fall under v7. Projects that are already registered under v6 or v6.1 are unaffected and can carry on as planned, provided they are certified before the 27th January 2031 deadline.

Your v6 registration will expire on 27th January 2031. If you submit your project after that date, you may receive an alternative output rather than a full certificate. If there’s a risk that your programme may run past the January 2031 deadline, talk to your BREEAM Assessor about switching to v7.

There’s no additional fee for changing from BREEAM v6 to v7. Delays could occur if your design has been fixed, so we recommend switching early to avoid any disruption or expensive rework. Your BREEAM Assessor can tell you how the switch might impact your project before you commit.

Encon Associates were knowledgeable and very supportive to Bouygues UK in resolving the issues relating the BREEAM certification relating to the retail units at Abbey Road Barking.

They were involved from the start in obtaining the necessary information from the consultants, produced the Green Lease documentation for the shell and core retail units and resolved the final outstanding issues which the BRE required in a timely manner.

All round performance very good.

Russell Lyle, Bouygues
We’ve had the pleasure of working with Glenn from Encon as our BREEAM consultant on both the Kennet School and Shooters Hill Sixth Form College projects, and the experience has been nothing short of excellent. Glenn’s expertise and commitment have been central to the successful delivery of our sustainability goals on these schemes.

Steve Horner
We have been delighted with the service from Encon Associates throughout and for their help in achieving a BREEAM Very Good rating on both phases of our Bishop Auckland retail park project.

The online IES TaP system meant I was able to keep a close eye on how things were progressing from start to finish – an excellent facility.

Finally, thanks for your own personal contribution and guidance which was invaluable – very much appreciated. I’d have no hesitation in recommending Encon Associates and look forward to working with you on future projects.

Gordon Blackwood, Argon Properties

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