You can download a DRM-free copy of the standard here.
Shape the next version of the standard
What are your thoughts on version 1.0? We welcome your feedback — it will play a key role in shaping the next version of the standard to ensure it not only remains aligned with the needs of the UK nature markets, but also builds on and improves the foundations established in this first release.
What is BSI Flex 704 v1.0 about?
A healthy water environment is vital for people, nature, and a resilient economy. BSI Flex 704 v1.0 supports the growth of high-integrity markets for nature-based solutions to reduce nutrient pollution in waterbodies. It promotes action within environmental limits and offers an opportunity to generate funding to improve water quality for the benefit of both nature and people.
Designed to build on the overarching nature markets principles and framework standard (BSI Flex 701 v2.0), it adds specific criteria relevant to the nutrients market. It supports both voluntary and compliance credit markets in the UK, helping to build trust and drive market confidence.
What does it cover?
The standard specifies requirements for quantifying nutrient pollution reduction to and removal from waterbodies achieved by nature‑based solutions, and the related issuance of nutrients credits.
It provides criteria for projects, schemes, or programmes aiming to demonstrate high-integrity operation, covering governance, transparency, quantification, additionality, validation and verification, additionality and permanence.
Who is it for?
BSI Flex 704 v1.0 is intended for use by market participants; market intermediaries, including different codes/standards/schemes; registries; and other stakeholders in nature markets or in the environmental outcomes of trading nature credits.
It might also be useful to:
- buyers of nature-based credits;
- investors in nature-based projects and schemes;
- suppliers of land management;
- nature market validation and verification bodies;
- regulators;
- policy advisers and developers;
- non-UK-based schemes issuing nature-based credits; and
- academics and environmental consultants.
Download a free copy of the standard here.
This standard is part of the Nature Investment Standards Programme, funded by Defra, and developed by BSI working together with the devolved administrations and industry. You can get further insights, and get involved in related discussions, through the Nature Investment Standards (NIS) Hub.