The WELL Building Standard (WELL) is aligning with BREEAM to make it easier for projects pursuing both standards.

The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) and BRE announced the merger last week, during a time when the real estate industry is increasingly looking at how the built environment impacts human health as well as sustainability.

Both organizations agreed to mutually identify specific credits whereby submitted documentation will be recognized on both ends. The result will save project teams money and time associated with submitting documentation twice.

“Since the beginning, IWBI has worked to find ways that WELL can work harmoniously with the world’s leading sustainable building standards, because we believe sustainability and health are synonymous,” said IWBI Chairman and CEO Rick Fedrizzi. “We look forward to partnering with BRE to advance this important concept by helping project teams who are using both BREEAM and WELL deliver a more sustainable and healthier built environment as efficiently as possible.”

BREEAM and WELL are both evidence-based systems that have best practice, continual improvement and the interest of both the environment and people at their heart. Certification in both systems is achieved through the submission of project documentation and on-site post-occupancy performance testing.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to join forces in a way that will advance the inclusion of health and well-being considerations in Europe’s built environment,” added Gavin Dunn, director of Building Performance Group at BRE.

WELL’s certifying body, Green Business Certification Inc., and BRE are expected to finish identifying applicable credits between the two standards in January 2017.