What It Is

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is a science-led, third-party certification framework for assessing sustainability in the built environment. Developed by BRE in 1990, it evaluates environmental, health, and resilience performance across building lifecycles using a credit-based, weighted scoring methodology producing ratings from Pass to Outstanding.

Key Components

• Core categories: Management, Health & Wellbeing, Energy, Transport, Water, Materials, Waste, Land Use & Ecology, Pollution, Innovation (10 primary).
• Credits awarded per issue with category weightings; prerequisites and exemplars.
• Schemes: New Construction, In-Use, Refurbishment, Infrastructure, Communities.
• Licensed assessors submit evidence; BRE Global audits for certification.

Why Organizations Use It

Drives ESG alignment, net-zero readiness, asset value uplift (up to 30% premiums), operational savings (22-33% energy), regulatory support (EU Taxonomy). Mitigates risks in planning, finance, reputation; enhances tenant appeal and market differentiation.

Implementation Overview

Phased: pre-assessment, design integration, construction evidence, post-occupancy. Appoint assessor/AP early; suits all sizes/industries globally with local adaptations. Requires evidence management, training; BRE QA ensures validity (In-Use: 3 years).

What It Is

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) is a U.S. federal statute establishing corporate accountability standards post-Enron scandals. It mandates accurate financial disclosures to protect investors, using a risk-based, control-oriented approach centered on internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR).

Key Components

SOX comprises 11 titles with pillars like PCAOB oversight (Title I), auditor independence (Title II), and executive certifications (Titles III-IV). Core sections include 302 (CEO/CFO certifications), 404 (ICFR assessments), and 409 (real-time disclosures). It leverages COSO frameworks; compliance involves annual management reports and auditor attestations for eligible filers.

Why Organizations Use It

Public companies must comply to avoid penalties, restatements, and delisting. SOX enhances governance, deters fraud, lowers capital costs via investor trust, and aids M&A/IPO readiness while driving operational efficiencies.

Implementation Overview

Phased top-down approach: scoping, documentation, testing, remediation using COSO. Applies to U.S. public issuers; requires entity/process controls, ITGCs, and annual audits for larger filers. (178 words)