The Code is owned by the Department of Communities and Local Government and operated by the Building Research Establishment. It was launched in 2006 and is the national standard for the sustainable design and construction of new homes.
The Code measures nine categories of sustainable design covering Energy/CO2, water, materials, surface water runoff (flooding), waste, pollution, health and wellbeing, management and ecology. A star rating system of Level 1 to 6 is used to certify the overall sustainability performance of a new home. The code aims to promote higher standards of sustainable design above current building regulations, and sets minimum standards relating to energy, water use, water runoff and waste.
In England affordable housing funded by the Homes and Communities Agency has been required to meet Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes since 2010.
For private sector housing a code rating remains optional, however, a significant proportion of Local Authorities now stipulate a code level requirement in their local plans, while the new National Planning Policy Framework is likely to further increase the number of planning consents that require Code rating.
Code assessments can only be undertake by a Licensed Assessor registered with BRE (Building Research Establishment) or Stroma.
Code for Sustainable Homes Assessments.