A Milestone for Healthier Workspaces
A milestone for healthier workspaces has been achieved as the International WELL Building Institute certifies over 105 million square meters of property across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
This achievement marks a milestone for healthier workspaces across the EMEA region, setting new standards for how buildings can positively influence the people inside them. By focusing on clean air, natural light, noise control, and mental wellbeing, the WELL Building Standard is transforming traditional offices into environments that actively support human health. This shift reflects a broader global trend—where safety, sustainability, and employee wellbeing are now seen as core elements of productivity and long-term success.
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) has revealed that its WELL Building Standard now covers more than 105 million square meters of property across over 7,500 locations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). This achievement highlights a growing commitment to designing and maintaining healthier buildings that improve people’s wellbeing and productivity.
According to independent research, WELL-certified buildings can boost worker satisfaction by 28% and improve reported wellbeing by 26%. The standard focuses on creating workplaces that prioritize clean air, natural lighting, mental health, and biophilic design, which includes integrating plants and natural elements into indoor spaces.
Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO of IWBI, said that this growth reflects how organizations are realizing the real benefits of investing in healthier environments. “It’s not only good for people,” she noted, “it’s good for business and the communities they serve.”
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The engineering, architecture, real estate, and construction sectors have been leading the adoption of the WELL Building Standard across the EMEA region. Additionally, employers in financial services, insurance, energy, utilities, and professional services are also showing strong interest in healthier building certifications.
Ann Marie Aguilar, Senior Vice President of IWBI for EMEA, added that from the Nordics to South Africa, the message is clear: investing in health and safety delivers real business returns. The WELL ecosystem now includes multiple certifications and ratings — such as the WELL Health-Safety Rating, Performance Rating, Equity Rating, and Community Standard — all focused on creating safer, more supportive spaces for people.
Launched in 2014, WELL projects are now active in 76 countries worldwide, marking a decade of progress in promoting sustainable health and wellbeing within workplaces and communities.
About OSHAssociation
OSHAssociation.org (Occupational Safety and Health Association) continues to support this global movement toward healthier environments by promoting training, awareness, and professional certifications in health and safety. The association helps organizations strengthen workplace safety standards, reduce accidents, and improve employee wellbeing across industries. Through education and advocacy, OSHAssociation.org plays a key role in shaping a safer and healthier world of work.
Beyond training, OSHAssociation.org plays an active role in safety advocacy, research, and policy development. It collaborates with governments, educational institutions, and corporate bodies to implement best practices that reduce workplace accidents and promote sustainable safety systems.
The organization regularly shares the latest news about safety and health, publishes educational resources, and recognizes outstanding contributions to occupational safety. Its mission is clear — to save lives, reduce risks, and make every workplace safer through education, innovation, and global collaboration.
