Singapore’s regulatory submission system is changing. CORENET 2.0, the portal project teams have used for years, is being replaced by CORENET X — and the difference is not cosmetic. It changes what you submit, how it is validated, and how regulatory approval works. Here is a clear comparison of CORENET 2.0 and CORENET X, and what the change means for your BIM submission workflow. For the data format behind these submissions, see What is IFC-SG.
What Is CORENET 2.0?
CORENET 2.0 is Singapore’s legacy e-submission portal. Under CORENET 2.0, Qualified Persons (QPs) submit 2D drawings and PDF documents separately to each of the regulatory agencies — BCA, URA, SCDF, PUB, NEA, and others. Each agency reviews its own submission, on its own track, and issues its own approval.
It works, but the burden of coordinating those parallel approvals sits entirely on the project team — and inconsistencies between drawing sets are usually discovered late.
What Is CORENET X?
CORENET X is the new integrated submission portal developed by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) together with the other regulatory agencies. Instead of drawings, project teams submit a coordinated BIM model in the IFC-SG format (also written IFC+SG) — an openBIM standard that carries Singapore-specific regulatory information inside the model.
Submissions move through defined submission gateways — Design, Piling, Structural, and so on — and are reviewed on a multi-agency basis: one coordinated submission, one consolidated response, rather than separate approvals from each agency.
CORENET 2.0 and CORENET X: Key Differences
- What you submit: CORENET 2.0 accepts 2D drawings and PDF documents. CORENET X requires a federated BIM model exported to IFC-SG.
- How agencies review: CORENET 2.0 runs separate, parallel reviews per agency. CORENET X uses a multi-agency, gateway-based submission process with a coordinated response.
- Validation: CORENET 2.0 relies on manual checking. CORENET X can validate the BIM model against requirements before and during submission — model quality issues surface earlier.
- Approval: CORENET 2.0 issues agency-by-agency clearances. CORENET X consolidates the regulatory approval process around submission gateways.
- Workflow impact: CORENET 2.0 lets BIM remain optional behind the drawings. CORENET X makes the BIM model itself the regulatory deliverable.
When Is CORENET X Mandatory?
CORENET X submission became mandatory on 1 October 2025 for new projects of 30,000 sqm gross floor area and above. From 1 October 2026, the mandate extends to new projects with GFA of 5,000 sqm and above (URA circular DC26-08 / BCA APPBCA-2026-12, 23 July 2026). Projects below 5,000 sqm GFA are not required to onboard the Gateway Processes and may continue through CORENET 2.0 for now. The transition point therefore depends on your project size and submission stage — and the threshold has already been revised once, from 30,000 sqm down to 5,000 sqm.
What This Means for Your BIM Submission Workflow
The practical shift is simple to state and hard to do: your BIM model must now be good enough to be reviewed by regulators, not just good enough to print drawings from. That means disciplined coordination across architectural, structural and MEP models, clean IFC-SG export, and information structure that survives validation. The approval process under CORENET X rewards teams that build submission readiness into the workflow early — and punishes teams that leave model quality to the end.
Beyond+ supports project teams through this transition with CORENET X BIM e-submission support — model readiness reviews, IFC-SG structuring, and coordination discipline ahead of each gateway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still submit through CORENET 2.0?
Yes — projects with GFA below 5,000 sqm are not required to onboard the Gateway Processes and may continue through CORENET 2.0 for now (URA circular DC26-08 / BCA APPBCA-2026-12, 23 July 2026). New projects of 30,000 sqm GFA and above have been required to use CORENET X since 1 October 2025, and from 1 October 2026 that requirement extends down to 5,000 sqm.
What is IFC-SG?
IFC-SG (IFC+SG) is Singapore’s localisation of the openBIM IFC standard. It defines how regulatory information — spaces, elements, classifications — must be structured in the model so agencies can validate and review it.
Who makes the submission?
As with CORENET 2.0, Qualified Persons (QPs) remain responsible — but under CORENET X they submit one coordinated BIM model through the portal rather than separate drawing sets to each agency.
Does CORENET X change design work itself?
Indirectly, yes. Because the model is validated, modelling standards, naming, and coordination quality now affect regulatory approval — not just construction. Our CORENET X submission checklist covers what to prepare before each gateway. For the complete picture, see our CORENET X requirements and timeline guide.
The thresholds that decide which system applies to your project changed again this year — see CORENET X from 1 October 2026 and the 5,000m² threshold. For the process itself, read the CORENET X Code of Practice and its gateways.
Need help with a CORENET X submission?
Beyond+ prepares IFC+SG models and coordinates multi-discipline submissions for Singapore projects. Tell us your project size, stage and gateway, and we will tell you what is actually required.
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