BREEAM Competent Individuals and Suitable IAQ Professionals - What to look for in 2026

BREEAM suitable IAQ professional guidance changed on 30 October 2026. The old definition is being replaced by Competent individual – IAQ, split into two competency levels. If you’re chasing the indoor air quality credits under Hea 04, the person doing your testing now needs to meet a clearer, stricter bar. ARM Environments’ BREEAM testing team is built around it.

ARM Environments is comprised of a team of qualified IAQ Professionals, or Competent Individuals, with more than 3 years of experience in IAQ plans and post-construction IAQ measurements. We're also certified with CIBSE (and Managing Director, Adam Taylor, is a member of the CIBSE Air Quality Task Group), and the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS). Furthermore, Adam Taylor has contributed and helped to refine existing BREEAM indoor air quality guidelines.

Need a BREEAM assessment or air quality plan soon? Talk to our certified BREEAM experts.

What is a Competent individual – IAQ under BREEAM?

It’s the new term for the “suitable IAQ professional” in BREEAM V7. It covers UK New Construction, International New Construction and Refurbishment and Fit Out (Commercial). BREEAM says you can apply the guidance now, and it becomes mandatory once it’s published in the next reissue of those technical manuals. Our advice is to treat it as if it's already live.

IAQ Professional requirements in BREEAM V7

An IAQ Professional has more than three years’ experience in IAQ plans, post-construction IAQ measurement, or both. The experience has to show practical understanding of whichever they’re signing off:

IAQ plans: pollutant control, building services engineering, low-emission materials, product specification and IAQ management across the building’s lifecycle.
Post-construction measurement: sampling strategy, hands-on monitoring, site-based problem solving, and interpretation and quality control of results.

They can only prepare or sign off work they can demonstrate competence in. Experience in plans doesn’t automatically qualify someone to sign off measurements, and vice versa.

IAQ Technician requirements in BREEAM V7

An IAQ Technician carries out post-construction measurements with under three years’ experience. They must be trained in sampling methods and equipment, work under an IAQ Professional’s supervision, and have documented site-specific training. They also need at least one year of field experience or five post-construction measurement projects.

The IAQ Professional must formally review all field notes, deviations and raw data, and sign off in writing before the report and training record go to the assessor. A technician with a sampling pump is not, on their own, a compliant submission.

What evidence does the BREEAM assessor need?

Both levels need a CV with project history, plus any professional memberships or certifications. Membership isn’t mandatory, but BREEAM names bodies such as ASHRAE, CIBSE, BOHS, VDI-TGA and AICVF as recognised examples. The assessor reviews this evidence for compliance, so a vague CV is a risk to your credits.

Read more on more general advice for finding trustworthy IAQ contractors.

Why ARM Environments fits the new BREEAM requirements

The guidance rewards demonstrable, documented experience, which is why it suits a specialist. ARM Environments is a multi-award-winning, BESA-accredited IAQ specialist, and our BREEAM IAQ plan and testing services are set up around exactly this split of responsibility:

Plan and testing under one roof, so the person who understands your IAQ plan also understands the measurements that prove it.
Experienced professionals leading and signing off every project, with technicians working under their supervision.
Assessor-ready evidence: CVs, project histories and training records prepared up front, so there’s no scramble at submission.

We've been working with BREEAM for years. Not only conducting Hea 04 (previously Hea 02) indoor air quality testing, but also working with the team behind BREEAM to help develop IAQ guidelines. If you're looking for a contractor already experienced, trusted, and confident in BREEAM assessments, get in touch today.

Supporting articles:

Get in touch for BREEAM Competent Individuals

Not sure whether your current IAQ provider meets the new Competent individual – IAQ definition? No need to stress — we're already demonstrating competence under the new BREEAM V7 rules. Talk to a BREEAM certification expert at ARM Environments or explore our BREEAM testing service.

FAQs

What qualifications does a BREEAM IAQ assessor need?

BREEAM doesn’t require a specific qualification for the people doing IAQ plans or testing. Competence is judged on evidence: a CV with project history, plus any relevant memberships (such as ASHRAE, CIBSE or BOHS), which are optional. The BREEAM assessor reviews that evidence for compliance.

How much experience does a suitable IAQ professional need?

More than three years’ relevant experience in IAQ plans, post-construction IAQ measurement, or both. They can only sign off work they can demonstrate competence in. Less experienced staff can carry out testing as an IAQ Technician, under an IAQ Professional’s supervision and written sign-off.

What does “Competent individual – IAQ” mean in BREEAM?

It’s BREEAM’s new term for the “suitable IAQ professional”. It defines two levels, IAQ Professional and IAQ Technician, with clear experience, supervision and evidence requirements.

When do the revised BREEAM Competent individual – IAQ requirements become mandatory?

When they’re published in the next reissue of the UK NC V7, International NC V7 and RFO Commercial V7 technical manuals. No date has been given, but the guidance can be applied immediately.

How do I check whether a BREEAM air quality testing contractor is competent?

Ask for a CV with project history for each named individual, and confirm who is the IAQ Professional and who is the Technician. Check that the Professional reviews and signs off all field data in writing, then confirm acceptance with your BREEAM assessor early.