CSI GreenFormat

The Construction Product Sustainability Information Reporting Guide

CSI Convention
Baltimore, Maryland
June 21, 2007
Sustainable Product Research – a Panel
Discussion

ƒ Peggy White – Moderator

Panelists
ƒ Nadav Malin
BuildingGreen, Inc.

ƒ Peggy White, CSI, CCS, CCCA, LEED® AP

White + GreenSpec

ƒ Matt Crawford, CSI, CCPR

Kelly-Moore Paints

ƒ Roger Grant
Construction Specifications Institute
Seminar Agenda

ƒ Perspectives on the Challenges of Material

Selection

ƒ GreenFormat: The Construction Product

Sustainability Reporting Guide

ƒ GreenFormat: Alpha Test Feedback from a

Manufacturer’s Perspective

ƒ GreenFormat: How it Works

 Some Perspective
on the Challenges
Of Materials Evaluation
Buildings Use Lots of Stuff

Global construction:
ƒ Accounts for largest component of waste
stream (developed countries)
ƒ 2/5 world’s material & energy flow
ƒ 1/6 freshwater withdrawals
ƒ 1/4 wood harvest

(Per Dr. Fernandez, MIT)

Plastic Consumption by Market - USA

2ND Largest Market

21.5- Billion lbs
Other Building &
13% Construction
24%
/ Electrical
Electronic
6%

Furniture
7%
Transportation
17%

Packaging
33%
The Market Wants Guidance

ƒ Designers/contractors want to make low-

impact choices, but need help
ƒ Growing number of green product
certifications, but still relatively few
certified products
ƒ Many certification programs are narrowly
focused, on indoor emissions or forest
management, for example
Green Certifications
(some are more independent than others)

Low-emitting Sustainable
Green overall
materials forestry

European
Union
Eco-Label
My Product is Green Because…

ƒ Many companies are struggling to figure

out how their products fit in the new
sustainability conversation.
Need a Common Lexicon

ƒ LEED is creating a green transformation in

the building industry by providing a
common definition of a green building
ƒ No such common definition exists in the
realm of products/materials
ƒ Before rating products, have to have a
common set of parameters to look at, a
common language
Products considered for
GreenSpec...

…are made of recycled or salvaged content

…preserve natural resources
…avoid toxic or other emissions
…save energy or water
…promote healthy built
environment
GreenSpec Screening

ƒ Hard thresholds for certain performance

categories (appliances, equipment,
windows, plumbing fixtures)
ƒ Flexible—based on “life-cycle thinking”
ƒ Long list of attributes that are considered,
but no attribute alone guarantees
approval (trade-offs are always
considered)
The Process in a Nutshell

ƒ Learn of new product

ƒ Make initial assessment
ƒ Request additional info as needed
(“custom questionnaire”)
ƒ Review information and make
determination
Basis for Assessments

ƒ Data from manufacturers

ƒ 15 years of “case study” analyses (EBN
articles)
ƒ AIA Environmental Resource Guide
research
ƒ Published LCA and other literature from
U.S., Europe, Australia
ƒ Consultations with experts
GreenSpec Thresholds

ƒ Primarily for energy-related products--

appliances, windows
ƒ Reviewed regularly based on industry
advances
ƒ Typically 10% to 20% better than Energy
Star
ƒ Applied flexibly, to account for trade-offs
Sources of Leads

ƒ Unsolicited requests/inquiries about being

listed in GreenSpec
ƒ Press Releases about new products
ƒ Trade shows
ƒ Notices in other publications
ƒ Email listserves, word-of-mouth
ƒ Queries to industry experts
ƒ Research for EBN articles
Unsolicited Inquiries

ƒ Review available information

ƒ Apprise manufacturer of GreenSpec
criteria, invite response
ƒ Assess based on relevant criteria
ƒ Decide whether to pursue
Products of Interest - Step 1

Review available information

„ Assess based on prioritized relevant
criteria
„ Judge reliability of data provided
„ Compare to thresholds (if available)
„ Compare with other products in same
application
Products of Interest - Step 2

ƒ Identify gaps in available info

ƒ Generate “custom questionnaire”
ƒ Solicit additional info
ƒ If necessary, consult outside experts
ƒ Make determination
CSI GreenFormat

The Construction Product

Sustainability Reporting Guide
GreenFormat
Created by CSI’s
Sustainable Facilities Task Team

ƒ Consistent sustainable criteria reporting

format
ƒ Standard framework that is both
responsive and flexible
ƒ Substantiated sustainable information
ƒ Electronic tool planned as a relational
database for reporting versatility
Addresses a real need
For both designers & manufacturers

ƒ Design professionals
„ will have reliable, substantiated information on
sustainable attributes of a variety of construction
products
„ more efficient and thorough than wading through green
wash or misleading information
______________________________________
ƒ Manufacturers
„ will have a consistent platform for defining the
sustainable attributes of their products
„ a tool based on established, credible sustainable
standards and certifications
 What led CSI to GreenFormat?

CSI is the organization that created MasterFormat

ƒ The CSI organizational mantra is the four C’s -- “clear,

concise, correct and complete”
ƒ CSI includes the whole construction team – owners, general
contractors, design and industry professionals, and product
manufacturers
ƒ Sustainability is a prime factor in today’s built environment
ƒ Lack of consistency in product sustainable attribute
reporting is an unnecessary burden and cost

Who better to create GreenFormat?

What Factors Were Considered?

ƒ Environmental data questionnaires do not always request

substantiation

ƒ Need to tie sustainable claims and information to standards

and certifications, and recognized valuation procedures

ƒ Provide information addressing the varying requirements of

sustainable performance and rating systems, such as
LEED® and the Green Guide for Healthcare
ƒ Criterion based format, no open-ended questions

ƒ Create a report that does not require interpretative analysis

Advantages of a Structured Electronic
Format

ƒ Simple electronic reporting format

ƒ Questions answered with populated pull-downs, and Yes/No

fields, giving manufacturer clarity on intent of question

ƒ Questions & answers tied to sustainable or green standards

(ISO, Energy Star, SCAQMD), certifications, or
measurements

ƒ Format flexibility allowing addition or deletion of topics and

questions in appropriate categories as sustainability issues
evolve and change.
 GreenFormat
14 Information Categories

ƒ Categories 1-3 1,2 & 3 are for Manufacturer and product

information
ƒ Category 4 Regulatory Agency Sustainability
Criteria
ƒ Category 5 Sustainable Standards & Certifications
ƒ Category 6 Sustainable Performance Criteria
ƒ Category 7 Sustainable Composition of Product
ƒ Categories 8-12 8, 9, 10,11, & 12 relate to the five
phases of a construction material’s
lifecycle
ƒ Categories 13-14 Additional information and
Manufacturer’s certification of data
How GreenFormat Works

ƒ Product Reports will reflect data for each product

ƒ Most questions which don’t relate to a particular
product type will be faded – but could be
answered if relevant
ƒ Questions not answered will not show on the final
product information report
ƒ Designed to allow specifiers and professional
designers to conduct product searches based on
a variety of parameters, e.g. 3rd Party Certified
products, or passed Section 01350, for example.
Categories 1, 2 and 3: Introductory
Information

ƒ General information organized by MasterFormat

number, manufacturer name, product type,
product or trade name.

ƒ Brief description of product and its use

ƒ Designers can search by MasterFormat number,

manufacturer name, or product type keyword
search
Category 4: Regulatory Sustainability
Acceptance

Manufacturer is asked which regulatory sustainable criteria

and standards the product meets; yes/no answers with
date verified/accepted.

Included are:
ƒ Federal evaluation tools such as Energy Star, USDA
Biobased Compliant, USDA Organic, etc.

ƒ State and local/regional criteria including state-funded EPP

programs and local/regional standards like the South Coast
Air Quality Management District (SCAQMC)
ƒ Other questions include international sustainable standards
Categories 5,6 and 7 – Three Methods
of Specifying

These categories, which collect certification,

performance and product composition
information, include questions relevant to three
of the four methods of specifying products:

„ Reference Standards
„ Performance
„ Descriptive spec

Proprietary specs would use categories 1 & 2.

Category 5: Sustainable Standards
and Certifications

ƒ Provides verification of claims based on

established, credible certifications & standards,
combined with the most recent date of
verification

ƒ Includes self certification declarations, second

party certification, and third party certification,
via accredited second and third party certifiers
Category 6: Sustainable Performance
Criteria

ƒ Product performance questions relating to

product sustainability and performance

ƒ Questions are tied to recognized standards

(ASTM, NFRC, Energy Star, etc.)

ƒ Included are standards relating to insulation,

roofing, windows, glass & glazing, equipment,
residential appliances, plumbing equipment,
HVAC, air distribution, electrical, power
generation, and electrical lighting
Category 7: Sustainable Product
Composition

ƒ Addresses product composition, such as: does

it have recycled content, is it rapidly
renewable, does it off-gas, or contain toxics,
and related questions

ƒ Answers are based on accepted measurement

standards for VOC's, ppm, CA Prop 65
chemicals, etc.
Categories 8 - 12: Five Phases of a
Material‘s Life Cycle

„ Category 8: Material Extraction and

Transportation
„ Category 9: Manufacturing Phase
„ Category 10: Construction Phase
„ Category 11: Facility Operations Phase
„ Category 12: Deconstruction and
Recycling
Category 8: Material Extraction &
Transportation

ƒ Questions relate to embodied energy within raw

materials of products; includes questions about
energy consumption and greenhouse gases
emissions during extraction and transportation

„ Identifies raw materials in the product, based

on percentage
„ Identifies locations of extraction sites and
manufacturing facilities
„ Identifies method of transportation from
extraction to manufacturing facility.
Category 9: Manufacturing Phase

ƒ Addresses sustainability of manufacturing

facilities and processes and effect on
environment
ƒ Questions focused on manufacturer’s verifiable
commitment to sustainability, actions taken, and
by-products produced, method of disposal
„ Are plants ISO-certified?
„ Do they use renewable energy, or reduce GHG emissions?
„ Are water use reduction methods being used?
„ What are the by-products? Can they be recycled, reused?
„ What chemicals or toxins used which are reportable under
SARA or other requirements?
Category 10: Construction Phase

Covers construction waste management,

IAQ issues during construction, and
contract closeout:
ƒ Disposal/recycling of shipping/packaging waste?

ƒ Disposal/recycling of excess material?

ƒ Does product or product installation emit VOCs

requiring building flush-out before occupancy?
Category 11: Facility Operations Phase
Category 12: Deconstruction/Recycling

These two categories revolve around:

„ Product lifespan
„ Cleaning & maintenance requirements

„ Manufacturer recycling take-back programs

„ Product reuse potential
„ End-of-life product recycling and disposal
Categories 13 & 14: Additional
Information

The final two categories are devoted to:

ƒ Additional manufacturer information re: transparency of
information

ƒ Listings with other organizations such as BGI GreenSpec

ƒ And, finally, a signature by an authorized official of the

company is required certifying the information provided is
true and correct
How We Met the Challenge of
Sustainable Reporting
Participation in Alpha Test

ƒ Curious to see CSI perspective

„ Technical perspective
„ Looking for Green & Performance

ƒ Thirteen pages to decipher

„ Felt overwhelmed at first glance
„ Read instructions and began the
process
GreenFormat Reporting

ƒ Zoomed through sections 1, 2, and 3.

„ Basic information.
ƒ Sections 4, 5, 6, and 7 slowed me down.
„ What criteria matches our product.
ƒ Sections 8 through 13 brought me to a stop.
„ Information outside my scope of knowledge.
ƒ Coordinating assistance from different
departments of your company.
„ Communicating value of information.
„ Could not complete without full company effort.
Value of GreenFormat

ƒ One stop shopping.

„ A Specification Writer, Architect, Owner, etc. can go to
one web site to find a green products, then determine a
choice by Declaration or Certification or both.
ƒ Declarations and Certifications
„ Best return for cost. Where does the trust of declaration
end and the need for certification begin.
ƒ Dark Green vs. Light Green
„ Products that easily meet sustainable criteria vs.
products that sit on the borders, but is a better choice
for the scope of work.
Manufacturer’s Possible Issues

ƒ Manufacturers with many products that meet

criteria from Dark Green to Light Green
ƒ Multiple manufacturing plants
ƒ Material Cost per square foot
ƒ Best return for cost of Certifications
ƒ Ease of Corporate Communication

ƒ Manufacturer cost for GreenFormat

GreenFormat – How it Works
Information Formats and Standards

Pre-project Preliminary
Design Bidding Procurement Construction Operations Phases
Planning Design

Conceptual
Conceptual Bid
Bid Purchasing,
Purchasing,
Detailed
Detailed Design,
Design,
Design,
Design, packages,
packages, Scheduling,
Scheduling, Asset
Asset modeling,
modeling,
Specification,
Specification, Product Cost
Cost estimate
Cost
Cost search,
Product estimate price
price Change
Change Facility
Facility mgmt.
mgmt. Processes
Planning search, selection
selection discovery mgmt
Planning discovery mgmt

UniFormat
UniFormat UniFormat
UniFormat

SectionPageFormat
SectionPageFormat

MasterFormat
MasterFormat Information
Standards
GreenFormat
GreenFormat

OmniClass
OmniClass
National
National CAD
CAD
Standard
Standard

Uniform
Uniform Facility
Facility Guide
Guide Specs
Specs

Whole
Whole Building
Building Design
Design Guide
Guide

National
National BIM
BIM Standard
Standard
www.greenformat.com
How GreenFormat works – List a
Product

ƒ Information about a product is self-reported by

product manufacturer
ƒ Log-in to secure portion of site to complete
questionnaire and publish when ready
ƒ Questions not answered will not show on the
information report
ƒ Update at any time but at least annually
ƒ Listing fee to support operation of service
ƒ Support for completing questionnaire available
List a Product
List a Product - Manufacturer
Questionnaire
How GreenFormat works – Find a
Product

ƒ Search by Text, Keyword, MasterFormat number or

hierarchy

ƒ Find products by name, type, manufacturer or performance

criteria (e.g. certifications)

ƒ Product information presented in structured format

ƒ Registration required
ƒ Print formatted reports of product information
ƒ Submit questions about information reported and products
listed
Find a Product
Find a Product
Find a Product – Product Listing
Find a Product – Background
Information
Find a Product – Product Details
Find a Product – Product Usage
Find a Product – Additional Information
Additional Information

ƒ Glossary of Terms

ƒ Referenced Standards

ƒ Reference Abbreviations and Acronyms

CSI GreenFormat

Now it’s
Time for
Your Questions!
Panel Contact Information

Peggy White, White + GreenSpec

peggy@white-greenspec.com

Nadav Malin, Building Green, Inc.

nadav@buildinggreen.com

Matt Crawford, Kelly-Moore Paints

mcrawford@kellymoore.com

Roger Grant, Construction Specifications Institute

RGrant@cisnet.org
GreenFormat Contact Information

Roger Grant, CSI

rgrant@cisnet.org
Greg Ceton, CSI
gceton@csinet.org

To register your interest and receive information:

www.greenformat.com
www.csinet.org/greenformat
CSI GreenFormat

THANK YOU !!