Building trust and supporting professional excellence through leading standards and practice advice  

RICS standards equip professionals with the ability to deliver consistent practice across a range of critical fields and in many countries around the world. This work directly supports the well-being and effective operation of the real estate, land and construction sectors, benefitting markets, governments and the public.

In 2021–2022, our work continued to address key themes, supporting building safety, trust in valuations and a sustainable built environment.

We achieved 71 adoptions across more than ten different standards. Adoptions range from major projects (ICMS) through to strong government engagement that facilitates the recognition of RICS members.

Standards related to decarbonisation and sustainability are in high demand; this is reflected by Whole life carbon assessment for the built environment (WLCA), International Building Operation Standard (IBOS) and International Cost Management Standard (ICMS), which make up over 50% of adoptions and which all have sustainability drivers within them.

Real Estate Investment Valuations

A major review, commissioned by the SRB, was published in December 2021 to help futureproof practices in the valuation of real estate assets for investment purposes. The SRB accepted all the recommendations in the review.

‘…its findings have shown that reforming part of the valuation practice across our education, regulation and standards will be vital for the sector to remain trusted and relevant’. Richard Waterhouse FRICS, Chair of Valuation Review Implementation Committee.

Building and fire safety

Our guidance, training and consumer advice continued to support professionals and the public with regularly updated information on reforms, highlighting the impact of recent changes.

Building safety (hub page) EWS FAQs

New Rules of Conduct

Came into effect in February 2022 for the global surveying profession. These were developed with the support of members and will further help to identify good practice. They incorporate new standards on creating sustainable development and tackling climate change as well as a focus on respect, diversity and inclusion.

ICMS 3

A new international carbon-reporting standards for construction was developed and launched (ICMS 3). It sets out a methodology for construction professionals and developers to calculate the amount of embodied carbon that their projects will create. Read more in our dedicated sustainability section Leading on issues that matter.

IBOS

A new international framework for operational building quality (IBOS) was launched. Read more in Leading on issues that matter.

Compulsory purchase

We provided updated consumer advice on compulsory purchase.

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Annual review 2021–2022

Regulation