IMPACT - BRE Group
Life cycle assessment of buildings with IMPACT
IMPACT is designed to allow simple integration into 3D computer aided design (CAD) and building information management (BIM) software tools. It also integrates with bespoke life cycle assessment (LCA) applications. The results generated by IMPACT can be used to award credit within whole building assessment schemes like BREEAM.
The IMPACT database
Find out more about the latest version of the IMPACT database (IMPACT DB) which was released in March 2018.
IMPACT-compliant tools
An IMPACT compliant tool can be used with the IMPACT DB to produce near identical LCA results. We’ve listed all the tools which are approved as being IMPACT compliant.
Founding partners
BRE worked with several other founding partners to produce IMPACT: AEC3, IES, WD Re-Thinking Ltd and Whole Life Ltd. Find out more about the IMPACT founding partners here.
Benefits of IMPACT
Standardised LCA across the industry
IMPACT is the only standardised specification and dataset currently available in the UK. It ensures a consistent application of LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) across the industry. All LCA completed using the IMPACT specification and dataset are accurate, repeatable and transparent.
Comparability between tools
IMPACT tools are rigorously tested to ensure the specification meets the requirements and the dataset has been implemented within the LCA tool accurately. All IMPACT compliant tools produce near identical LCA results given the same set of inputs.
Benchmarking performance
IMPACT allows for creation of benchmarks that are standardised and reliable. These benchmarks are used within BREEAM and HQM. Reporting against these benchmarks provides a reflection of the buildings LCA performance and credits within BREEAM.
For LCA and LCC consultants
The IMPACT LCA and LCC methodology and database is integrated within third-party software tools. IMPACT is designed to work within 3D/BIM software tools recognised by the ‘IMPACT-compliant’ logo. Choose the one that is right for you from our list of IMPACT-compliant tools.
For developers
IMPACT is a specification and database designed for software developers to adopt and incorporate into their tools. It is not a separate software tool. This approach has been taken to maximise dissemination, consistency and comparability in environmental impact assessment and life cycle costing. It also means users can benefit from IMPACT functionality inside their familiar software tools and day-to-day workflows. Permission to use the IMPACT logos (shown below) is granted only to tools that are IMPACT compliant.
IMPACT FAQs
For more information about IMPACT, please see our frequently asked questions.