Currently, 70% of NEINVER’s outlet centers are certified with 4 stars or higher by AIS, the international standard that evaluates the accessibility of spaces.
In Spain, The Style Outlets centers in Getafe, Las Rozas and Coruña have upgraded their AIS certification from 3 to 4 stars, meaning that the majority of the centers in NEINVER’s Spanish outlet portfolio are now 4-star spaces, with Viladecans The Style Outlets holding the highest possible rating of 5 stars.
Key improvements across the centers included updating the accessible toilets, adding accessible signage along circulation routes and in lifts, and fitting accessible emergency evacuation signage. At The Style Outlets in Coruña, specific upgrades included the installation of accessible handles and the repair of uneven surfaces in the car park.
In Poland, FACTORY centres in Annopol, Poznan, Gliwice and Ursus have also achieved 4-star ratings after carrying out significant improvements, including the installation of alarm systems in adapted toilets, accessible emergency evacuation signage and magnetic loops at information points –above and beyond the country’s legal requirements. FACTORY Ursus and FACTORY Poznan saw their ratings jump from 2 to 4 stars thanks to the extensive range of accessibility upgrades made.
The AIS certification, developed by the Accessibility and Social Responsibility Foundation (ARS), evaluates the universal accessibility of buildings in physical, functional and virtual aspects, with five levels of excellence and a maximum rating of 5 stars. In 2024, NEINVER received special recognition from the ARS Foundation for its commitment to accessibility.
“We are extremely proud of this achievement, one which reflects our unwavering commitment to inclusion and accessibility,” says Alberto Vilches, Sustainability Manager at NEINVER. “Since opening our first outlet center in 1996, NEINVER has worked continuously to ensure that all people can enjoy our centers comfortably and safely. Achieving high standards of universal accessibility, such as 4-star AIS certification, means a great deal to us, especially considering many of our centers are well-established assets. This recognition highlights our ongoing efforts to make the necessary improvements and offer the highest standards of accessibility at all of our centers.”
Accessibility is a priority in NEINVER’s ESG strategy, which not only aims to remove architectural barriers, but also to improve the experience for everyone – especially for people with reduced mobility, sensory disabilities or other special needs, and for anyone accompanying them. Since 2017, the company has been implementing the AIS standard across all its properties and had achieved certification for all the centers it owned in Europe by 2022 – making the Spanish multinational a benchmark in accessibility and inclusion within the shopping center sector.
