The global benchmarking and quality assurance standard for Safe Hospitality, Offices, Retail, and Exhibitions assets

SHORE Certification is a globally recognized program that measures, evaluates and enhances the risk and resilience of real estate operations.

SHORE Certification is crucial for real estate operations as it ensures the safety, security, and resilience of assets, reducing risks and enhancing reputation.

SHORE is available for any publicly accessible or managed property.
Environments where people work, meet, shop, and stay can be certified, including but not limited to offices, retail spaces, hotels, and meeting venues.

SHORE offers three certification levels:

SHORE Certified: A time-efficient assessment focusing on framework and management systems. The certification includes document review and scenario-based interviews, giving you a baseline and a good understanding of the fundamentals of asset operation.

SHORE Gold/Platinum: An in-depth assessment for premium assets, including an on-site visit, in-depth interviews with management, practical testing of life safety systems, tenant visits, supplier review and asset walk-through. The certification gives you a holistic and unbiased view of all components contributing to asset resilience.

While the process is the same for both certification levels, SHORE Platinum has additional requirements and is only awarded assets operating on the highest international standard.

Approximately 10% of SHORE certified assets qualify for Platinum.

Yes, SHORE Certification is internationally acknowledged and provides a credible way to showcase operational excellence.
So far, the standard has been applied at properties in more than 30 countries. 

It contributes to operational excellence by identifying and mitigating risks, improving safety and security, and adhering to international standards.

SHORE Certification assesses six core areas:
Risk & Management systems
Property Protection
Visitor Management
Tenant Management
Safety & Security Management, and
Crisis & Business Continuity Management

SHORE Certification aligns with various international standards for risk management, safety, and ESG, such as LEED, BREEAM, GRESB, ISO etc.

Typically, the property owner, asset manager, or senior executives within an organization initiate the certification process.

You can initiate the process by contacting SAFE Asset Group or one of our Accredited Partners in your area to schedule a preliminary consultation.

Once you have enrolled your asset in the certification program, we will start 

Initial data collection – We will gather information about the asset and current level of operation through a comprehensive on-line survey.

Submission review – An accredited assessor reviews the submitted material. In dialogue with the client, we agree on timelines and type of certification.

Certification assessment – An accredited assessor will visit the property over 2 days to conduct the certification assessment for “Gold certified” and “Platinum certified” certification. For assets opted for the “Certified” level, the assessment will be conducted through web-meetings.

Annual verification – SHORE Certification involves annual  engagements to verify ongoing compliance with the SHORE standard.

The duration varies, but the full process for a Gold certification typically takes 90 days, depending on your current level of operation and complexity of the asset.

Yes, our team of experts offers guidance and support throughout the certification process to help organizations succeed.

The on-site assessment includes document reviews, scenario-based interviews, in-depth management interviews, practical tests of safety systems, tenant visits, supplier reviews, and a property walk-through.

Typical documents include risk assessments, safety protocols, emergency response plans, tenant instructions, and other governance documents.

Management is typically involved in interviews and documentation, while staff may be involved in practical tests and scenario-based interviews.

Yes, a property walkthrough is an essential component of the on-site assessment.

Yes, practical tests of safety and security systems are included in the assessment.

Yes, tenant visits are included to assess satisfaction and awareness of safety procedures.

Recertification is required annually on a three-year rolling programme to ensure continued compliance with SHORE standards.

Yes, organizations have the option to appeal the results if they believe there has been an error or misunderstanding.

The six core pillars are Risk & Management Systems, Property Protection, Visitor Management, Tenant Management, Safety & Security Management, and Crisis & Business Continuity Management.

This pillar is assessed by reviewing the organization’s framework, risk identification, assessment, and control processes. The aim is to ensure that potential risks are identified and managed in a timely and effective manner.

Property Protection evaluates the processes and measures in place to secure and protect physical assets against potential hazards such as fire, theft, and natural disasters.

Visitor Management assesses the protocols, implemented security measures, and systems in place for managing visitors and to ensure their safety while on the premises.

Tenant Management reviews policies and procedures related to tenant safety, security, comfort, and satisfaction. This may include lease agreements, emergency response plans specific to tenants, and safety training.

This pillar assesses the organization’s safety and security management systems, including emergency response plans, provision of safety equipment, and staff training.

This pillar evaluates an organization’s ability to respond to and recover from unplanned events, including the robustness of its disaster recovery and business continuity plans.

Plans for a variety of scenarios, including fire, natural disasters, and high-threat security incidents, are assessed to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Generally, each pillar is important, but the weighting for each question varies depending on the specific risks.

Yes, practical tests of safety and security systems are included in the assessment.

Yearly assessment/interaction, and continuous adherence to the SHORE standard are required for maintaining the certification.

Yes, SHORE Certification needs to be renewed after three years.
The renewal involves a full reassessment to ensure ongoing compliance.

Yes, yearly assessments are conducted to ensure that the organization continues to meet SHORE standards and fulfills any yearly legislative requirements. The yearly assessment also serves as an opportunity to exchange experiences and to share best practices from around the world. 

Significant changes, like alterations in structure or operations, will be reviewed at the yearly assessment/engagement to ensure the organization still meets the SHORE criteria.

Updates of the standard are communicated yearly to certified organizations, who are then expected to comply with the new standards at the next yearly assessment/interaction.

Staff may need to undergo regular training on safety protocols, emergency response plans, and other key aspects related to the SHORE standard.

Failure to maintain compliance could result in certification revocation.

While it might be less labor-intensive since many systems would already be in place, it still involves a rigorous evaluation to ensure ongoing compliance.

Additional site visits may be required if significant shortcomings are discovered during the assessment.

Yes, failure to undergo yearly assessment/interaction or maintain the standards set by SHORE may result in the loss of certification.

Organizations are typically given a 90-day grace period to rectify any issues preventing them from obtaining the certification, after which a re-assessment may be conducted.

Yes, Platinum certification is awarded for assets operating on the highest international level.

SHORE Certification provides a framework for managing operational risks, enhancing resilience, and ensuring governance in alignment with international standards. This can improve trust among stakeholders and potentially increase asset value.

Yes, the certification can distinguish your property or portfolio in the market, particularly if safety and operational excellence are key considerations for your target audience.

While it depends on the insurer, having a SHORE Certification could lower your premiums because it demonstrates a commitment to risk management and safety.

A SHORE Certification can enhance the attractiveness and safety of your assets, thereby potentially increasing their market value.

Absolutely. One of the core pillars is Crisis & Business Continuity Management, which helps your organization prepare for, respond to, and recover from various types of crises.

While SHORE Certification itself is not a legal requirement, the practices it promotes often assist in meeting various regulatory standards, thereby helping in legal compliance.

Yes, being SHORE Certified can be a significant selling point and can be highlighted in marketing materials to attract tenants, investors, and other stakeholders.

Certification demonstrates a commitment to safety and good governance, which can boost staff morale and tenant satisfaction, aiding in retention.

Investors increasingly value governance and risk management. Being SHORE Certified is likely to make your assets more appealing to vigilant investors.

Visitors often feel more comfortable and secure in certified environments, knowing that best practices for safety and security are in place.

SHORE Certification provides an objective, third-party assessment that can help you understand how your operations compare to best practices in the industry. Moreover, you will be able to benchmark your scoring with other SHORE Certified assets.

ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. These are three key factors used to measure the sustainability and ethical impact of an organization.

SHORE Certification primarily addresses the Social and Governance aspects of ESG, although there is some overlap with Environmental concerns.

While SHORE is not strictly an ESG standard, it aligns closely with ESG objectives, particularly in the Social and Governance domains.

SHORE Certification provides a robust framework for managing operational risks and ensuring governance, both of which are key components of a comprehensive ESG strategy.

SHORE focuses on creating safe, secure, and well-managed environments where people work, shop, and interact. This contributes to social well-being and community engagement.

Yes, a SHORE-Certified property often has better safety measures and risk management practices, contributing to enhanced employee well-being.

By demonstrating a commitment to safety and governance, a SHORE-Certified property can enhance its reputation within the community, building trust and social capital.

SHORE helps organizations implement strong governance processes, including risk management and crisis response frameworks.

While not a direct requirement, the governance practices endorsed by SHORE naturally involve stakeholder engagement, as risk management and resilience are often collaborative efforts.

Yes, SHORE Certification involves thorough assessments and audits, which can be shared with stakeholders to demonstrate transparency in operational and governance practices.

Investors are increasingly requiring assets they invest in to adhere to ESG principles. SHORE Certification is a valuable indicator of strong governance and social responsibility.

While not a substitute for legal advice, the governance and operational improvements suggested by SHORE can help properties align with various regulations, supporting the Governance aspect of ESG.

Yes, SHORE’s focus on risk management naturally aids in identifying and mitigating risks related to social and governance aspects, which are key components of ESG.

Transparency is key. Share the certification details, assessments, and results with your stakeholders to show your commitment to ESG principles, especially in the areas of Social and Governance.