Getting Started

In May 2022, a Technical Steering Group was created with a representative from each of the Founding Organisations. The Group established the principles and goals of the Standard, and how the project would be structured. That summer, an industry-wide call for volunteers was issued, after which the Standard’s Task Groups and Sector Groups were formed. At the end of the year, a Call for Evidence was issued, asking for measured building performance data.

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Technical Development

The data collected through the Call for Evidence was used to establish current best practice levels of building performance in the UK according to typology. This, combined with Sector Groups’ expertise, was used to inform assumptions of future trends across different sectors.  

Meanwhile, the Task Groups worked with the Technical Steering Group to develop the key criteria of the Standard, using existing guidance, methodologies and definitions as a starting point. A Technical Consultation was issued, which was analysed to refine the vision.

Publishing the Pilot Version

A model was developed to test decarbonisation scenarios across the UK stock, which built on the previous technical analysis of the 'bottom up data' in conjunction with the 'top down' carbon and energy budgets. This was then used to set the ambitious but achievable limits in the Standard. All the work was meticulously reviewed.

The Pilot Version was published in September of 2024. 

Pilot Testing and Verificaton Development

A Pilot Testing Programme was set up. The Programme gathered feedback on the process and experience of implementing the Standard across a full range of sectors and building classifications, located across the UK. It sought to understand the usability and clarity of the Standard, and the UK market’s readiness to adopt it.​​

The insightful feedback from the Programme, and wider industry, shaped the development of Version 1, ensuring that the Standard would reflect the real-world experiences shared with us.​

​An open tender was issued for a Verification Administrator to run the Standard’s verification. Bureau Veritas were selected as Preferred Bidder, and thus a partnership was established with them to develop the verification framework and methodology. ​

Launching Version 1 & Verification​

Version 1 of the Standard was launched in March 2026, ready for adoption by the UK built environment industry. Verification is set to become available in the second quarter of the year.