WELL
Certification for building occupant health and well-being
ISO 27018
International code for PII protection in public clouds.
Quick Verdict
WELL certifies healthy buildings via performance testing for occupant well-being; ISO 27018 extends ISO 27001 for cloud PII privacy. Companies adopt WELL for ESG and productivity gains, ISO 27018 for procurement trust and regulatory alignment.
WELL
WELL Building Standard v2
Key Features
- Mandatory on-site performance verification testing
- 10 core concepts from Air to Community
- 24 Preconditions plus 102 point-earning Optimizations
- Tiered certifications Bronze to Platinum via points
- Continuous monitoring pathways for compliance
ISO 27018
ISO/IEC 27018: Code of practice for PII in public clouds
Key Features
- PII protection controls for public cloud processors
- Subprocessor transparency and disclosure requirements
- Breach notification obligations to customers
- Support for data subject rights in clouds
- Prohibits secondary PII use without consent
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
WELL Details
What It Is
WELL Building Standard v2 is a performance-based certification framework administered by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). It focuses on designing, operating, and verifying buildings to advance human health and well-being outcomes across environmental, behavioral, and policy domains. Its evidence-based approach uses preconditions (mandatory) and optimizations (optional points) structured around 10 core concepts.
Key Components
- **10 conceptsAir, Water, Nourishment, Light, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, Mind, Community (plus Innovation).
- 24 Preconditions and 102 Optimizations totaling up to 110 points.
- Built on public health research and building science.
- **Tiered certificationBronze (40 points), Silver (50), Gold (60), Platinum (80), with concept minimums at higher levels.
Why Organizations Use It
Drives occupant productivity, reduces absenteeism, enhances ESG reporting, and commands higher rents. Complements LEED for people-first health metrics. Builds stakeholder trust via verified performance; voluntary but tenant-demanded.
Implementation Overview
Multi-phase: gap analysis, scorecard development, documentation, on-site verification, recertification every 3 years. Applies to new/existing buildings, all sizes/industries globally. Requires third-party review and testing.
ISO 27018 Details
What It Is
ISO/IEC 27018 is a code of practice extending ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 for protecting personally identifiable information (PII) in public clouds where providers act as PII processors. Published in 2014, revised 2019 and 2025, it uses a risk-based approach with ~25-30 additional privacy-specific controls tailored to cloud challenges like multi-tenancy and cross-border data flows.
Key Components
- Core pillars: consent, purpose limitation, data minimization, transparency, accountability.
- Control areas: subprocessor disclosure, breach notification, data subject rights support, secure PII lifecycle handling.
- Built on ISO 27001 ISMS; not standalone certification—assessed during ISO 27001 audits.
Why Organizations Use It
- Builds customer trust, accelerates procurement via Statement of Applicability.
- Aligns with GDPR, HIPAA for processor obligations.
- Reduces risk, aids cyber insurance, differentiates CSPs in competitive markets.
Implementation Overview
- Layer on existing ISO 27001; gap analysis, policy updates, technical controls.
- Applies to CSPs of all sizes; third-party audits annual, recertify every 3 years.
Key Differences
| Aspect | WELL | ISO 27018 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Occupant health, well-being in buildings | PII protection in public cloud processing |
| Industry | Real estate, all building types globally | Cloud service providers worldwide |
| Nature | Voluntary performance-based certification | Voluntary code of practice extension |
| Testing | On-site performance verification testing | ISO 27001 audits with privacy controls |
| Penalties | Loss of certification, no legal penalties | Loss of certification, no legal penalties |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about WELL and ISO 27018
WELL FAQ
ISO 27018 FAQ
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