Green Mark Version 7 (GM v7) Explained: What's New and Different from Green Mark 2021
Singapore's Green Mark certification scheme just got its biggest update in years. On 2 September 2026, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) officially launched Green Mark Version 7 (GM v7) — a refresh of the Green Mark 2021 (GM:2021) standard that building owners, developers, and consultants have worked with since 2021.
If you're currently certified under Green Mark, planning a new project, or just trying to understand what changed, this guide breaks down Green Mark v7 vs Green Mark 2021 at a high level: what's new, what stayed the same, and what it means for you.
Quick answer: GM v7 doesn't replace the sustainability goals of Green Mark 2021 — it makes the scheme more flexible. The biggest change is that energy performance is now assessed separately from the full sustainability certification, plus a new higher-performance energy tier, simpler paperwork, and longer certificate validity.
What Is Green Mark?
Green Mark is BCA's certification standard for assessing and verifying the environmental performance of buildings in Singapore. It's the national benchmark for sustainable buildings, covering energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, carbon impact, resilience, and building maintainability. Since its introduction, Green Mark has gone through several revisions — GM2015, GM2016, GM2017, GM:2021, and now Green Mark Version 7.
What Is Green Mark Version 7 (GM v7)?
Green Mark v7 is the latest edition of the certification standard, officially effective 2 September 2026. BCA describes it as a refresh of Green Mark 2021 — designed to respond to industry feedback while keeping Singapore's built environment on track for a lower-carbon future. It keeps the same underlying sustainability priorities as GM:2021 but reorganizes how they're assessed and certified.
Green Mark v7 vs Green Mark 2021: Key Differences at a Glance
Area | Green Mark 2021 | Green Mark Version 7 |
Rating structure | Energy performance bundled into one holistic rating (GoldPLUS / Platinum) | Energy performance split out into a standalone BCA Energy Rating, separate from holistic certification |
Energy tiers | ~50% / 55% / 60% energy savings bands | Graduated ladder: EE45, EE50, EE55, SLE60, SLE70 (new), ZE, PE |
Top energy tier | SLE (≥60% savings) was the highest standard tier | New SLE70 tier for projects achieving ≥70% savings |
Cooling technology flexibility | Limited recognition of alternative cooling approaches | Recognizes Alternative Cooling Technologies (hybrid cooling, active chilled beams, radiant cooling, and more) to offset energy shortfalls |
Maintainability requirements | Detailed, attribute-by-attribute checklist | Streamlined by more than 50%, using a broader systems-based approach |
Recertification for portfolios | Each building recertified separately | New Portfolio Certification groups similar buildings under one application |
Certificate validity | Standard 3-year cycle | Extended to 5 years for buildings with sustained energy performance |
Major energy upgrades | Typically required full recertification | Qualifying upgrades (e.g. chiller retrofits) can recertify without a full reassessment |
Badge system | Badge for 10+ points in a sustainability section | Same badge system retained (Intelligence, Health & Wellbeing, Whole Life Carbon, Resilience, Maintainability) |
5 Reasons Green Mark v7 Is an Improvement Over Green Mark 2021
A Standalone Energy Rating
GM v7 introduces the BCA Energy Rating — a certification focused purely on energy performance, independent of the full Green Mark process. This gives building owners, especially those with existing buildings, a lighter-weight way to get recognized for energy-efficiency upgrades without pursuing the entire holistic certification.
A New SLE70 Tier for Frontrunners
Green Mark 2021 topped out at SLE (≥60% energy savings). GM v7 adds SLE70, recognizing projects that go further — a clearer runway for owners who want to push past the standard high-performance benchmark.
More Flexibility on Cooling Systems
GM v7 formally credits Alternative Cooling Technologies — such as hybrid cooling, passive displacement cooling, and active chilled beams — as ways to offset energy-performance shortfalls, opening the door to more design approaches than GM:2021 allowed.
Lighter Compliance Load
The Maintainability section — one of the most document-heavy parts of Green Mark 2021 — has been streamlined by more than half under GM v7, shifting from itemized attribute checklists to a systems-level approach.
Simpler, Longer Certification Cycles
Portfolio Certification, 5-year validity for consistent performers, and simplified recertification after major energy upgrades all reduce the administrative burden that came with Green Mark 2021's standard 3-year cycle.
What Stayed the Same
Not everything changed. GM v7 keeps:
The same five sustainability sections: Intelligence, Health & Wellbeing, Whole Life Carbon, Resilience, and Maintainability
The badge threshold of 10+ points in a section to earn that section's badge
The same underlying technical methodologies (e.g. ISO 15686-5, ASTM E917 for life-cycle costing)
SLE60 as a recognized performance tier (now alongside SLE70)
Green Mark 2021 to Green Mark v7 Rating Mapping
Green Mark 2021 | Green Mark v7 (Holistic) | Green Mark v7 (Energy Rating) |
Gold (In Operation) | Gold (In Operation) | EE45 |
GoldPLUS | GoldPLUS | EE50 |
GoldPLUS SLE | GoldPLUS SLE | SLE60 |
Platinum | Platinum | EE55 |
Platinum SLE | Platinum SLE | SLE60 |
Platinum ZE / PE | Platinum ZE / PE | ZE / PE |
Transition Timeline: Can I Still Apply Under Green Mark 2021?
Yes — for now. BCA has set a transition period:
Date | What Happens |
2 September 2026 | Green Mark v7 takes effect |
Until 31 March 2027 | BCA continues accepting new applications under Green Mark 2021 |
From 1 April 2027 | All new Green Mark applications assessed under GM v7 only |
End of 2027 | Deadline for GM:2021 projects (submitted before 1 April 2027) to complete assessment and receive their Letter of Award |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the key difference between Green Mark 2021 and Green Mark v7?
Green Mark v7 is a refresh of Green Mark 2021 that separates energy performance into its own standalone rating, adds a new SLE70 high-performance tier, streamlines requirements (especially Maintainability), and introduces Portfolio Certification and extended 5-year validity for eligible buildings.
Is Green Mark v7 the same as Green Mark 2021?
No. Green Mark v7 replaces Green Mark 2021 as the current certification standard, though it builds on the same sustainability sections and many of the same technical principles.
What is the BCA Energy Rating in Green Mark v7?
It's a new standalone certification introduced in GM v7 that recognizes a building purely on its energy performance, separate from the full holistic Green Mark certification.
What happened to SLE under Green Mark v7?
SLE now has two tiers: SLE60 (the original ≥60% energy savings threshold from GM:2021) and the new SLE70 (≥70% energy savings). Both are recognized as SLE.
Can I still apply for Green Mark 2021 certification?
Yes, but only until 31 March 2027. From 1 April 2027, all new Green Mark applications will be assessed under GM v7.
Do I need to recertify my building under Green Mark v7 if I already have Green Mark 2021 certification?
Not immediately — existing certifications remain valid through their normal cycle. Recertification will follow the applicable GM v7 pathway when it comes due.
Is Green Mark v7 stricter or more lenient than Green Mark 2021?
Neither, exactly — it's more graduated and flexible. The performance bar at the top end is actually higher (with SLE70), while compliance effort for standard requirements (like Maintainability) has been reduced.
Not Sure Which Green Mark v7 Pathway Fits Your Building?
Every project is different — the right Energy Rating tier, sustainability sections to prioritize, and transition strategy depend on your building type, timeline, and goals. If you'd like help mapping your project against the new Green Mark v7 requirements, get in touch with our team for a tailored assessment.
