UPDATED: August 29, 2024
When will v3 go live?
v3 launched as a pilot to a select group of invite-only users on December 15, 2023. This preliminary phase ensured critical functionality of our digital refresh and new user experience, and opened a direct line of communication for content feedback sharing with our team.
Following the success of this preliminary phase, we are pleased to announce that v3 launched to our global users on June 4, 2024.
When will v2.1 become unavailable to new projects?
In order to transition our users from the existing version to our newest, we've closed New Registrations on Fitwel v2.1 as of July 16, 2024. Here's what you need to know:
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If you still want to certify your projects with v2.1:
- Your project may certify using the v2.1 standard provided registration and certification fees have been paid by credit card or have been invoiced through July 15, 2024*
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If you have a v2.1 Built Certified project:
- Your project may recertify using the v2.1 standard provided registration and recertification fees have been paid by credit card or have been invoiced through July 15, 2024*
- Built certified projects that initiate recertification after July 15, 2024 will be recertified using the v3 standard.
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If you have a v2.1 Design Certified project:
- Projects seeking recertification that have received a Design Certification may be reviewed under the version of the Fitwel Scorecard in which the original certification was awarded, but also have the option of recertifying under the most up-to-date version (v3).
- Your project may recertify using the v2.1 standard by invoicing the $500 registration fee, prior to your project’s expiration date, in order to recertify your Design pathway project to the same standard.
*Registration for Fitwel v2.1 certification closed at 11:59 PM ET on July 15, 2024.
What if I have a valid 2023-2024 Viral Response Module?
Earlier this year, we announced that all accounts with a valid v2022-2023 Viral Response Module (VRM) certification, including any associated Viral Response Approved (VRA) assets, will automatically receive an extension through December 31, 2024, at no additional charge. This extension supports 2025 reporting.
Additionally, VRA assets provide a pathway to full v2.1 asset certification by carrying over applicable strategy approvals. If you have any VRA assets and wish to pursue full v2.1 asset certification, you must register and pay certification fees by July 15, 2024, at 11:59 PM ET, either by credit card or invoice. Failure to do so by this date will forfeit applicable platform efficiencies from VRAs to full asset certification.
However, if no action is taken towards v2.1 asset certification, the VRM and VRAs will still remain valid through December 31, 2024.
Why Is There an Update to the Existing Fitwel Standard (v2.1)?
We regularly evolve the Fitwel Standard to ensure it reflects the most recent research and evidence, is responsive to input and insights from our users, and is optimized for resiliency, impact, and value. The latest version, Fitwel v2.1 includes clarified strategy language, expanded pathways for compliance, and various strategy requirement updates. Since its launch in 2018, Fitwel v2.1 has proven to be scalable, globally relevant, adaptable to various asset classes and types, and reflective of market demand.
What Are The Key Improvements That Will Be Included as Part of v3?
The new version reflects the latest research and evidence linking health and the built environment and gives users every opportunity to design and operate their assets to promote people’s health, and in turn, maximize value.
Here are some highlights:
- New Evidence-based Strategies: New health-promoting strategies based on an expanded evidence base
- Streamlined Documentation Process: Streamlined and more efficient documentation process to improve project submissions.
- Clarified Language and Guidance: Content alignment and clarity to guide project teams on strategy compliance and documentation.
- Streamlined Process for Portfolio-Wide Implementation: Strategy alignment across scorecards allows users to streamline strategy implementation across their portfolio.
- Expanded Applicability: Improved scorecard solutions for multi-tenant buildings that expand and optimize the impact of Fitwel’s health-promoting strategies.
- New Tech Enhancements and Features: Expanded access to the digital platform, enhancements to client response functions, and opportunities for performance assessments.
Will v3 Have a Pathway for Every Project Type?
The most common project typologies can be found within the updated v3 Asset Applicability Matrix, which will be shared in the v3 Preview area of the Fitwel Help Center once available. This resource helps Fitwel users determine which certification pathway and scorecard product is applicable for a project.
How Does v3 Affect My Project(s)?
If you’re actively working on a registered v2.1 project, you may continue to certify your project under v2.1!
To offer additional clarification, we have outlined more specific scenarios below:
Important note: registered v2.0 projects that have not paid Certification fees prior to December 31,2023 are no longer eligible for certification under that version. V2.0 information is included below for archival purposes only.
How Does v3 Impact My Registered v2.0 and v2.1 Project Timelines?
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v2.0 Projects: The requirements for v2.0 projects are unaffected by this change.
- Currently registered v2.0 projects that have not yet initiated certification must do so by generating payment by invoice or credit card prior to the end of 2023 (by 11:59pm ET on December 31, 2023).
- v2.0 projects must be submitted for certification within one year. If a v2.0 project has not been submitted for certification by December 31, 2024, it will be upgraded to v3.
- Note that v2.0 is no longer available for registration for new projects and v2.0 will no longer be supported for certification one year after the release of v3.
- v2.1 Projects: Simply, v2.1 projects will continue to be available into 2024 during the preliminary beta release of v3. Our previous requirement to initiate payment of registration and certification fees by December is no longer valid. *Please note, as always, project teams have up to three (3) years from the time a project is registered and certification fees have been paid to submit a project for certification.
How Does v3 Impact Recertification Timelines?
- v2.0 Projects: Certified v2.0 projects seeking recertification will certify with v2.1 while v2.1 remains available. Once v3 is fully available to all users, v2.0 projects initiating recertification will automatically be registered on v3 and/or the latest version available, whichever is applicable.
- v2.1 Built Pathway: For general users, certified v2.1 projects seeking recertification needed to have locked in v2.1 Recertification ahead of the July 15th deadline.
- v2.1 Design Pathway: The beta launch of v3 does not impact projects that have achieved Design Pathway certification under v2.1. Design Pathway projects seeking recertification may recertify under the v2.1 Built Pathway after the beta release of v3, or choose to upgrade to v3 at a later date; however, projects will need to upgrade to the most recent version for the next recertification cycle.
If I Register my Project Under v2.1 Now, Am I Able to Upgrade to v3 at a Later Date?
Yes, a project may request an upgrade to v3 once the new versions becomes avilable. *Please note, upgrading a scorecard version may take up to 2 weeks to complete, and any information selected and/or submitted on the preceding digital scorecard must be retained and downloaded on the client side prior to upgrading, as all inputs will be deleted in the changeover.
Will There Be a Cost Difference Between v2.1 and v3?
No, certification fees will remain consistent between standard versions v2.1 and v3. Please take note that we previously announced new pricing effective April 2024.
How Long Do I Have Before I’m Required to Certify My Project?
A project has up to three years to submit for certification once registered and certification fees have been paid.
When Does a Project’s 3-Year Certification Validity Period Begin?
Fitwel Certification is valid for three years from the date the certification is awarded.
Recertification can be initiated at any time on the Fitwel Platform within the three years from the date of the initial certification award. Projects that do not submit for recertification within one year from the expiration date will be required to resubmit their project as an initial certification, and will not benefit from recertification efficiencies or discounts on the Fitwel platform.
Is There an Opportunity to Participate in a Pilot Ahead of the Release?
Fitwel v3 launched in a pilot phase to select users, providing testers with early access to test key functionality. In addition to initial pilot user group cohort, which expanded the pool of pilot testers following the v3 launch on December 15 to additional companies who submitted an application to join in the effort. We also hosted a formal comment period through May 22, 2024 to elicit feedback from Fitwel users to ensure improved feasibility, applicability, and to clarify language and/or provide additional examples within the new standard. Additionally, we will continue to collect comments submitted through one of two available online forms in the Fitwel Help Center v3 Preview, here while the standard is in beta through the end of the year.
How Does v3 Affect the Fitwel Ambassador Program? Will I Need to Renew My Credential?
An individual’s Fitwel Ambassador credential is valid in perpetuity, regardless of the version under which the credential is awarded. Ambassadors will not need to renew their credentials for v3. The Ambassador Course is introductory level and primarily focuses on the development of Fitwel, how Fitwel is applied to projects, and the growing health and business imperatives driving demand for health-promoting real estate. The multiple choice exam will be updated to include v3-relevant questions to merge newer strategies and current concepts within Fitwel.
How Can I Learn More?
The v3 strategy requirements, tools, and resources are available for preview on the Help Center and are regularly shared through our newsletters, blogs, and on social media. Keep an eye out for our upcoming updates!
v3 Feedback
The v3 Fitwel Standard will be released with a comment period through the end of the year to elicit feedback from our Fitwel users and the broader real estate industry to ensure improved feasibility and applicability.
We have created forms to facilitate sharing feedback and comments directly with the Fitwel Team, as outlined below:
- To report Strategy Specific Feedback, including any content errors or typos you may have found, feasibility of strategy requirements or compliance documentation, and any other relevant feedback on the strategy-specific aspects of the standard, click HERE to submit your feedback.
- For General v3 Feedback, such as feedback about the feasibility and applicability of the standard as a whole, and any other general comments you may have, click HERE to submit your feedback.
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