In short
On 6 July 2026 we refresh the interface for two parts of BeCause:
Data collection, where you submit sustainability performance data against frameworks
Applications, where you apply for certifications
Your data, drafts, uploaded files, and submitted answers are unchanged. Only the layout around them is new.
Two things look different on both surfaces:
A persistent topic list on the left with completion counters
A tools panel on the right with contextual icons
This article walks through both, then explains the one place the two surfaces deliberately look different.
The topic list on the left
A list of all topics in your current framework or application, with a counter next to each showing how much is done.
You can click any topic to jump to it. If a topic has subtopics, these will be nested underneath the topic. The counter rolls up: a topic's number reflects both its own questions and everything nested under it.
There's no setup. It's just there.
The tools panel on the right
A column of icon buttons. Click one to open a contextual panel for the question you're currently viewing. The top icon is your progress indicator (a pill on data collection, a trophy on applications); the rest are tools.
The right-rail on data collection
Top to bottom on every data collection question:
Icon | Panel name | What it does |
Progress pill
| Progress overview | Required questions answered, percentage complete, and how many are still missing across the framework |
Bulb  | Guidance | Per-question AI explanations from the BeCause AI assistant. Useful when a question's wording is unclear, or when you want a quick "what does this actually mean" |
Link  | Related answers | Previously-given answers from elsewhere in the platform that may apply to this question |
Clock  | Past answers | What you answered in earlier reporting periods. Useful when this year's number should be close to last year's |
Paperclip  | Files | Upload supporting files and proofs for this question |
Change log  | Change log | Audit trail of every change made to this question, who made it, and when |
The right-rail on applications
Same idea, with two differences from data collection: a trophy replaces the progress pill at the top, and a speech bubble (Comments) sits between Guidance and Related answers.
Icon | Panel name | What it does |
Trophy  | Scoring | Applications only. Two things in one panel. First, how this specific question contributes to your score (whether it's required, whether it carries points). Second, your whole-application progress: required questions answered, guideline points, and default points needed to pass |
Bulb  | Guidance | AI explanation of the question |
Speech bubble  | Comments | Applications only. Add context for your answer, notes for your auditor, or ask the certification body a question on this specific criterion |
Link  | Related answers | Previously-given answers that may apply to this question |
Clock  | Past answers | Past answers from earlier applications you've submitted |
Paperclip  | Files | Required and optional file uploads for this question |
Change log  | Change log | Audit trail at the question level |
A note for anyone who used the old applications UI
Two things moved into the right-rail:
The scoring summary that used to sit at the top of the page (the Mandatory points, Optional points, and Required questions progress bars) is now inside the trophy panel under "Whole application."
Comments used to live inline under each question. They're now in the right-rail behind the speech bubble icon, still tied to the specific question.
Same information, new location. Your existing comments and scoring are unchanged.
Why the top of the right-rail looks different on the two surfaces
The progress indicator at the top of the right-rail deliberately doesn't match across the two surfaces.
Applications show a trophy. Applications have a pass/fail outcome (you get certified or you don't), so progress is framed as achievement and shows scoring detail.
Data collection shows a progress pill. Reporting is ongoing across a period, so progress is framed against the period.
If you work in both areas, you'll see both. There's no setting; the icon reflects what kind of work the surface is.
Two small things you'll see on questions
Inline summary chips at the bottom of each question
Every question shows a small row of count chips at the bottom: how many past answers, how many files attached, how many related answers, and on applications, how many comments. At-a-glance signal so you don't have to open the right-rail to know whether anything is there.
The "Pre-filled" badge on data collection questions
Sometimes you might find a Pre-filled badge on the question level. This is can be if your corporate office has ingested data on your behalf for something they have been able to answer centrally or something you might have already reported on elsewhere.
Pre-filled answers count as answered, but review them before completing the framework. Check whether the value is still accurate for this reporting period.
FAQ
I was mid-application on Friday. Where's my data?
Right where you left it. Your answers, uploaded files, and any draft state are unchanged. Open your application from the dashboard and you'll see the same questions and the same answers; only the interface around them is new. If something looks missing, contact support before re-entering anything. We can confirm it's there.
Why does the progress icon look different on my application versus my framework?
Intentional. Applications have a pass/fail outcome and show a trophy at the top of the right-rail; data collection is ongoing reporting and shows a progress pill. Same platform, two different kinds of work.
Where did the scoring summary at the top of my application go?
It's now inside the trophy panel in the right-rail. Click the trophy and you'll see your whole-application progress: required questions answered, guideline points, and default points needed to pass.
Where did the inline comments under each application question go?
They're now in the right-rail behind the speech bubble icon. Click it on any question to see and add comments. Comments are still tied to specific questions; your previous comments are unchanged.
Do I need to do anything to switch to the new UI?
No. Everyone is on the new interface from 6 July 2026. There's no opt-in, no opt-out, and no setting to toggle.
My team uses an internal process. Does it still work?
In almost all cases yes; the questions, answers, files, and submission flow are unchanged. If your team has documented a step-by-step process internally, the screenshots will be out of date. The steps themselves should still work.
How do I get help if something's confusing?
Click the chat icon in the bottom right of the platform to reach BeCause support. We're watching the first two weeks closely and updating this article as questions come up.