MERLIN Properties Annual Report 2023

98 | Annual report | 2023 DMERLIN continued the process of certifying its assets under recognised industry standards in 2023. For instance, AEO certification, which certifies the technical quality of office buildings, assessing such technical aspects as architectural features, facilities, equipment, and property maintenance. At yearend, a total of 37 assets were certified under this system. Furthermore, as reflected in the Sustainability Policy, one of the Group’s priorities is the well-being of the users of its assets. MERLIN therefore seeks to further support its commitment by obtaining external certifications that allow the Company to advance and improve its performance in this area. The Company has been certifying its assets under the AIS certification system for years, which certifies the degree of accessibility of the assets. Under this system, MERLIN has continued to expand its AIS-certified portfolio, which reached a total of 73 assets in 2023. Furthermore, the Group continues studying the feasibility of obtaining WELL certification for its assets, aimed at taking measures focused on the health and well-being of the asset's occupants. It has begun preliminary work on 2 assets to obtain the highest WELL rating and continues its refurbishment of assets that have already obtained a rating. Nestlé Portugal's headquarters office building in Lisbon was awarded a WELL Platinum rating in 2023. In addition, in 2023 the Group obtained WiredScore certification for 17 of its assets. This certification measures such features as flexibility, infrastructure quality, and data transmission speed. OTHER CERTIFICATIONS Energy rating of MERLIN’s assets (% of surface area) 2021 2022 2023 2021 2022 2023 4,890 5,650 4,180 5,059 5,849 4,281 Offices Shopping centers Logistics In 2023, MERLIN invested a total of EUR 0.8 million to obtain, maintain, and extend these certifications, as part of the Group's commitment to effectively incorporate sustainability into its asset management.