This is a technical update relating to the Offices v2.0 update and forms part of a series of related articles. To read the previous post on Energy & CO2 please follow this link.
The updated SKArating Offices scheme is driving a major evolution in how materials and embodied impacts are addressed in interior fit-out projects. Moving beyond merely requiring the presence of EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations), the new scheme version harnesses the data within EPDs to benchmark performance, shifting from “do you have one?” to “what does it tell us?”
With the development of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard and a newly developed and aligned archetype model, SKArating now introduces embodied carbon limits for most material categories such as partitions, furniture, finishes, and ceilings. These limits are informed by the near-top performing products in the market, triangulated from sector-leading supplier data sources in the UK market, and Materials2050 and OneClick LCA data.
Another key addition is the mandatory requirement for (most) elements to be designed for disassembly, setting a new baseline that enables reusability and circularity, and reducing legacy problems.
Options of Compliance for Projects
The new criteria have followed the SKArating system philosophy of incentivising good practice and making sure the scheme aligns with current good practice and not standard or best. Following this, the research team has responded to an ever widening band of good practice in the industry which veers close to best practice. A project that falls in line with current Net Zero alignment, and achieves close to 100% Circularity, as best practice. As a consequence, the criteria is providing multiple options for compliance, some veering more towards best practice and Net Zero aligned, and some at good practice and not necessarily aligned to Net Zero aligned performance. SKArating is always aiming to move the industry and market more widely than one or two parties and thus creating a more sustainable system change. With the proposed criteria, project teams can opt if they wish to target and achieve the Net Zero aligned criteria, labelled as such, or one of the other good practice levels in the list.
When projects achieve both the annual embodied and operational limits of the UK Net Zero Building Standard, they will be able to certify as a SKArating Net Zero aligned project. This will set them on a path to comply with the UK Net Zero Building Standard itself.
Ranking What Matters
Each issue in SKArating is ranked by its environmental impact relative to each other, and following the SKArating Philosophy this prioritises direct real impact over potential change in the future. There is also a reflection of the scheme’s aims and priorities from the brief which reflect current critical issues and priorities – Net Zero alignment and 100% Circularity being the two top issues. Following this, the Materials and Resource Management categories are of the highest ranking measures in the scheme. Hierarchy within the Materials category has been allocated following the embodied data and office sector patterns of design. The highest embodied impacts and quantity measures are found at the top with Joinery and many of the furniture measures, some of the newest MEP related measures are found at the bottom due to data quality and challenge of implementation in the current market.
MEP Embodied Impacts
Embodied impacts related to mechanical and electrical elements have started being addressed with three new measures covering some key mechanical, electrical and light fitting items. Because of the lack of progress for the MEP embodied impacts there is some way to be made before their accountability and positive impact can achieved. We will be reviewing closely the take-up and implementation of the new measures and refine accordingly into other schemes and revisions but initial industry engagement has been very positive.
Reducing Greenwash Risk
By using more available industry and market embodied impact data through an increase of EPDs and project LCA modelling, SKArating supports everyone involved reduce risks of using misleading claims and targets. Clients can ensure the performance they require will be more closely targeted and delivered, and architects and designers are supported by the provision of good practice knowledge through the good practice measure criteria benchmarks.
This marks a major step in aligning environmental and design decision-making with real-world lifecycle impacts, bridging the gap between targets and practice.
Measures of note:
New – D89: new measure requiring the target and modelling of upfront embodied carbon in line with the limits of the UK Net Zero Building Standard.
New – Chairs – Soft seating: splitting the chairs measure into task and soft seats to support the achievement of either/both and reflect each’s target limits of upfront carbon.
New – M30 HVAC equipment: covering embodied impacts for heat pumps, heat recovery units and AHUs
New – M31 cables, pipes, ducts and light controls: % of project scope to comply with one of the criteria, and expanded criteria for larger projects.
New – M31 Light fittings: integrated lamp light fittings to align with one of the criteria, driver for re-fabrication of recently installed fittings, and expanded criteria for larger projects.
New – M32 Decorative and other light fittings: requiring half of the fittings to comply with one of the criteria and covers main types of decorative fitting types.
Updated – Measures M03 to M23 have been updated in their criteria and refined scoping sections.
Combined measures such as Partitions; solid and glazed.
Removed the overarching Materials measures, and M05 Hardwoods.
Removed measures that are deemed standard industry practice or where regulations have been lifted.
Ecology & Timber
Moved D20 Timber to the Ecology impact category that has been added to the scheme. The move of this measure to Ecology reflects more accurately the impacts which responsible management and sourcing of timber and timber containing products has. Embodied impacts from the logging, processing and transporting of timber are included with all other elements in each of the Materials measures. If a project targets any Materials measure, they will also need to comply with the criteria of D20 Timber as in previous scheme versions.
Over the past year, we’ve been working on some important updates to the SKArating Offices scheme to ensure it continues to reflect good practice in sustainable interior fit-outs. As part of this process, we’ll soon be launching a Public Consultation, giving you the opportunity to share your thoughts and help shape the future of the scheme. To support this, we’ll be publishing a series of blog posts over the coming weeks, each focusing on one of the Impact Categories and the proposed updates that are happening within Good Practice Measures (GPMs) in each category. The first category we are focusing on is Energy & CO2.
As SKArating evolves, the Energy measures remain a critical issue in shaping sustainable fit-out projects — and it’s not standing still. Recent updates mark a shift toward more accurate impact prioritisation, better performance accountability, and smarter energy-related decision-making throughout the project lifecycle. Bringing the scheme in line with the strategic aims of SKArating; to align all projects to Net Zero carbon targets and 100% Circularity. With these as our key aims, the updated SKArating scheme brings a sharper focus to energy performance, efficient use of energy, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in general — not just in design, but in delivery and operation.
Performance, Not Promises
Until now, many interior fit-out projects stopped at “energy-efficient design.” SKArating is now going further by assessing energy use during Occupancy and ensuring science-based targets are actually on track. The occupancy stage data demonstrating Net Zero aligned performance (12 months post-completion) is part of the Occupancy Stage assessment, closing the gap between intent and outcome. Projects will still be able to certify at Handover as being in alignment and ratify this performance following a year of Occupancy.
Ranking What Matters
Each issue in SKArating is ranked by its environmental impact relative to each other, and following the SKArating Philosophy, this prioritises direct real impact over potential change in the future. There is also a reflection of the scheme’s aims and priorities in the brief which reflect current critical issues and priorities – Net Zero alignment and 100% Circularity being the two top issues. Following this, Energy & CO2 measures are of the top-ranked measures. If your project includes a scope of works that impacts energy related elements, it’s not going to be optional — the ranking will include energy related gateway measures that must be achieved to get a project certified.
Designed by the Industry
This isn’t a theoretical framework. The updated Energy & CO2 measure have been co-developed by engineers, contractors, suppliers, designers, and clients. It’s practical, realistic, and ready to implement following current tools, knowledge and processes.
Reducing Greenwash Risk
By linking design, delivery, and operational performance, SKArating protects everyone involved from misleading claims and missed targets. Clients can ensure the performance they require will be actually delivered, and engineers and designers are supported to follow good practice through a project.
Measures of note:
New – D85 Energy Use Intensity: new measure requiring the target and modelling of operational energy in line with the limits of the UK Net Zero Building Standard.
New – P18 Zero carbon energy contracts: awarding tenants for energy supply that avoids fossil fuels.
New – E31 Energy efficient ventilation equipment: supporting passive design and operation within the scope of fit-out demises.
New – D86 Landlord & Tenant collaboration: a collaborative and coordinated approach to efforts between both parties at an early enough stage in the process.
Updated – E29 Energy demand reduction: tightened the criteria and supporting teams with solutions to consider.
Simplified and combined measures relating to lighting design and heat pumps.
Simplified energy measuring and monitoring measures and criteria.
Removed measures that are deemed standard industry practice or where regulations have been lifted.
In short: the Energy & CO2 measures now reflect how buildings and tenancies really work, making it a win for clients, our project teams, for the planet, and for the future of sustainable fit-out.
Look out for the Public Consultation starting on Monday, May 12th, for 4 weeks, found through our Knowledge Hub and comms channels, for an opportunity to engage in the proposed changes.
SKArating helps client, design, construction and supply teams in the built environment deliver interior fit-out projects sustainably. The system and methodology integrates a set of industry agreed good practice measures into daily project delivery. Founded on practical good practice measures and an open-source tool, the SKA process not only helps you to set practical goals at the start of the project, but also helps you to monitor and to get awarded at the end for delivering against the target. This consistent, industry led approach, is designed to help support systemic change in the fit-out process.
Our Mission?
SKArating exists to help you strengthen and improve the sustainability of interior fit-outs and refurbishments across commercial, retail and higher education spaces.
We want to support you in creating truly sustainable environments; with environmental, social and economic impacts all accounted for and driven to high performance. To do that, we will connect and align roles, organisations and initiatives along the full life-cycle of spaces, helping to create systems that deliver to Net Zero Carbon and 100% Circularity.
This updated SKArating roadmap outlines how the system is evolving across the three pillars of Sustainability — Environmental, Social & Wellbeing, and Economics & Value — through to 2030. It will be the first scheme globally to be offering all three assessments of sustainability under one scheme and system. We are extremely excited to be enabling this and supporting our clients and teams efforts to make sustainability easier and more impacting in real terms.
What’s new, and what’s next?
Environmental:
Offices v2.0 is launching summer 2025 and Offices 2.1 by 2029
Higher Education v2.0 and Retail v2.0 launching end of 2025 and early 2026 respectively.
The new Multi-Residential Accommodation scheme is starting development in Q2 2025 and the industry will be invited soon to participate.
A focus on alignment with Net Zero, circularity, and climate resilience driving all the environmental schemes.
Social & Wellbeing:
New scheme for Offices and Higher Education launching v1.0 by 2026 and v1.2 by 2030. More sector schemes to be added following initial consultations before 2030.
Bringing occupant health, equity, and community impact to the forefront and ensuring a fit-for-purpose social and wellbeing scheme for the interior fit-out sector is developed.
Economics & Value:
A first-of-its-kind focus on economic sustainability for fit-outs — v1.0 due by 2030
Helping teams consider lifecycle value, not just capital cost and space performance, all under one scheme.
Leveraging Life-cycle Costing (LCC) and performance efforts with industry partners, already active and opening doors to the interior fit-out sector to integrate in a sustainable way.
Ultimately, SKArating has been built by our community, all working in the sector and keen to drive change, built as a system that we can all use to hold ourselves to a long-term vision. A vision where a triple bottom line approach is easy to align to, completely accessible in any fit out, and which delivers real value and positive impact.
SKArating is evolving and growing to meet the challenge – and opportunity – of a regenerative future.
We would love you to join the conversations that are driving us and open new ones; we wish to include all who share our vision of a better future and help understand and address any barriers you may have. We wish to ensure the scheme works for everyone and helps us collectively deliver the change needed.
Join us at an event in the near future, as advertised in our socials, to find out more and talk to the committee, or feel free to email us your thoughts and interest topic at support@skarating.org to pass on to relevant parties.
In this podcast, Elina Grigoriou and Dave Wakelin, board members of SKArating, discuss the evolution and updates to the Offices scheme following the industry workshops and research stages in 2024. They also touch on some wider strategic directions for the whole system and open up about the process of developing and updating the scheme.
Key updates include:
The strategic scheme alignment with Net Zero targets by 2030, the alignment to 100% Circularity, including a broader focus on social/wellbeing and economic/value sustainability;
the use of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for decision-making, and the removal of outdated measures;
how the workshops and broader stakeholder involvement have enhanced the scheme’s relevance and practicality;
and the goals to streamline standards, improve performance, and ensure the system and all the sector schemes remain a practical tool for the industry.
If you would like to receive more information or have any questions about the Offices Scheme update, please sign up for our newsletter in the footer below, or contact us via email at support@skarating.org.
The Competent Professional course is created for those looking to explore the scheme in more depth without becoming an assessor, this pathway offers comprehensive learning and progression opportunities, helping individuals become more knowledgeable in the SKArating scheme and wider environmental sustainability of interiors.
Registrations are now open for existing Assessors wishing to renew as a Competent Professional if this pathway represents their role more accurately. Training courses for others wanting to become a Competent Professionals are in the final development stages and will take place in January with pre-bookings now open.
Professional Competency levels are a new part of the SKArating training and accreditation pathways. Each competency level encompasses a set of capabilities that candidates must meet to join and progress through each stage of SKArating training and accreditation. Key themes within these competencies include professional conduct, communication and management, systemic thinking, technical and sustainability knowledge, scheme and assessment knowledge, and the rules governing the system. As candidates complete each training level, they advance through these competencies, gaining progressively greater skills and expertise. Candidates aiming for accreditation as either a Competent Professional or Assessor must demonstrate proficiency at the highest and relevant competency levels. The introduction of these competency levels is designed to ensure that accredited candidates possess the experience and skills required to excel as SKArating Assessors or specialists within the industry.
To find out more about the Competencies Matrix, please take a look at the Pathways Guide here:
The approach and level of Assessor auditing and support for competency during the first year of Assessors has also been improved with new audits occurring on first projects. The aim is to guide Assessors in advance, avoid malpractice and maximise opportunities for project performance.
To maintain the standards of SKArating and ensure clients receive consistent and robust certification quality across the community and market, the auditing processes, benchmarks, and consequences have been updated to clarify outcomes. Under this updated system, Assessors will undergo an audit within their first year of accreditation, then adhoc and at least once every three years, or sooner if any “red flags” arise, whether from issues in their assessments or concerns regarding professional conduct. Assessor audits will be measured against set benchmarks that identify potential “major fail” items or general errors, resulting in a Pass or Fail at varying levels of “Consequences.” A Pass may be awarded either unconditionally or with recommendations, while a Fail will require retraining in the scheme, temporary suspension of accreditation, or a total ban from assessor status.
The new auditing initiative is designed to be a fair process for all Assessors, helping to uphold the scheme’s high standards while supporting professionals to gain strength in environmental sustainability and improve the wider industry.
To find out more about Quality Assurance (QA), please find the QA home page here and the QA Guide here.
To find out more and ask questions about the changes, sign up for our public online briefing session on the 20th November 12-1pm GMT:
We are pleased to announce that important updates to our scheme are being introduced over the next month. These changes aim to improve the quality and effectiveness of SKArating, increasing openness and transparency, ensuring clients are getting what our scheme states, and assessors are supported to undertake and be rewarded for high quality assessments.
Over the next few weeks, we are introducing new operational processes that further ensure the quality of our assessors and open up new accreditation opportunities for professionals who wish to explore different roles with regards to SKArating assessed projects.
Key updates include:
New professional and accreditation pathways to support professional development and for those not pursuing an assessor role.
Enhanced support, guidance and auditing for assessors.
Improved quality of delivered assessments throughout the scheme’s implementation.
Further details will be shared over the next few weeks. Stay tuned for more information on these changes!
