bre

BRE, short for Building Research Establishment, is a UK-based independent centre for building science and sustainability. It conducts research on the performance of the built environment and provides services that support safer, more efficient, and more durable buildings. Areas of work include energy performance, fire safety, acoustics, materials testing, and indoor environmental quality. BRE develops standards, guidance, and technical reports that are used by government bodies, the construction industry, manufacturers, and homeowners.

BRE operates BRE Global, the arm that carries out product testing, certification, and assessment services. One of its best-known outputs is the BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) scheme, a sustainability rating system for new and existing buildings that evaluates energy and resource efficiency, materials, health and well-being, and management processes. BREEAM assessments are used in many countries and influence building design and procurement.

In addition to certification and testing, BRE provides consultancy, training, and knowledge dissemination, including publications and online tools. The organization collaborates with regulatory agencies, industry groups, and international partners to advance building performance, resilience, and sustainability.

The acronym BRE may refer to other organizations or concepts in different contexts, but in the building and construction domain, it most commonly denotes the Building Research Establishment and its related activities.