Create spaces that prioritize human health and well-being.
Create spaces that prioritize human health and well-being.
WELL certification is an evidence-based program from the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) focused on improving human health and well-being through building design, operations, and policies. It focuses on 10 core concepts, such as air, water, nourishment, light, and comfort, to create healthier indoor environments. WELL certification shows your organization is putting people first by meeting the rigorous standards set by the WELL Building Standard.
As organizations compete for tenants, talent, and operational excellence, healthy indoor environments have become a strategic priority. WELL provides:
Our WELL Accredited Professionals and consultants guide you through every step of the WELL certification process, from feasibility and gap analysis to implementation and documentation including:
WELL Accredited Professionals (WELL APs) have passed an exam demonstrating their expertise in the WELL Building Standard and commitment to improving health and well-being in buildings and communities.
1. Improved health & well‑being
WELL strategies address indoor pollutants, daylight access, ergonomics, and mental health, leading to measurable improvements in occupant health, workplace wellness and reduced employee absenteeism.
2. Enhanced tenant & employee satisfaction
Buildings designed with WELL principles support comfort and productivity, creating spaces occupants want to use every day.
3. Investment grade certification
WELL signals to investors, partners, and tenants that your organization prioritizes ESG, wellness, and building performance which are all increasingly critical in real estate decisions.
4. Strong alignment with decarbonization & performance services
WELL complements TÜV SÜD’s broader suite of building performance services, such as life cycle assessments, enabling a holistic sustainability approach.
WELL certification measures building health and wellness using a performance-based rating system. The International WELL Building Institute awards certification based on air, water, light, nourishment, fitness, comfort, and mental well-being. Buildings earn WELL certification by meeting strict design, construction, and operational standards.
The main difference between LEED and WELL is that LEED measures environmental sustainability, while WELL measures human health and wellness. LEED focuses on energy use, water efficiency, and carbon impact. WELL focuses on air, water, light, comfort, and occupant health through performance-based standards.
WELL certification is valid for three years. To maintain certification status, project teams must submit annual reports regarding building performance and complete a formal recertification process, including on-site testing, at least every three years.
WELL certification has four levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Projects earn levels based on points scored across health categories like air, water, light, and comfort. Bronze requires the fewest points, while Platinum requires the highest performance across all categories.
WELL certification is available to commercial and residential buildings, including offices, schools, hospitals, and multifamily housing. Owners, developers, and organizations can apply certification to new or existing buildings. Projects must meet WELL standards for design, construction, and operations to qualify.
The WELL certification process involves registration, documentation, performance verification, and certification. Projects submit design and operational documents, then undergo on-site testing for air, water, light, and comfort. A third-party assessor verifies results. Projects earn certification after meeting required performance and scoring thresholds.
Partnering with TÜV SÜD, a WELL AP, means you benefit from our specialist knowledge and extensive experience to ensure your project supports sustainable health and wellness. Contact our experts to discuss your project.
To start your WELL certification journey, you choose a rating that you want to achieve. Ratings are a targeted, goal-focused subset of strategies from the WELL Standard. The three main WELL ratings are:
There’s also a coworking rating for building owners creating coworking and flexible workspaces.
The WELL Health-Safety Rating is a roadmap for organizations to anticipate and prepare for future events by developing plans and processes focusing on resilience and response.
The WELL Performance Rating helps your organization use building and people performance data to improve occupancy rates and long-term asset appreciation.
The WELL Equity Rating focuses on investment in your people by using evidence-based strategies to create workplaces where everyone is valued and supported leading to improved engagement, retention and business success.
The WELL Coworking Rating is a roadmap for building owners and operators to create coworking and flexible workspaces that promote member health and well-being by providing spaces that foster restoration and productivity and offer improved choices of food and movement, as well as other factors.
WELL certification helps you create people-first buildings and spaces that can promote health, reduce employee absenteeism, attract tenants, and boost asset value. Our experts guide you through every step of this rigorous and strict process so you can develop a healthier, more resilient building that supports people and organizational goals.
As part of TÜV SÜD’s Green Building Certification services, WELL sits alongside leading healthy building standards, such as Fitwel certification and LEED green building certification, to help your organization create spaces that support the health and productivity of occupants. Explore our green building and infrastructure services or contact us to discuss your buildings.
Start your WELL healthy building certification journey with us.
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