Feds Examine Green Building Marketing Claims

The Construction Specifications Institute, Alexandria, Va., has outlined for the Federal Trade Commission the benefits of the recently developed GreenFormat

CP STAFF

The Construction Specifications Institute, Alexandria, Va., has outlined for the Federal Trade Commission the benefits of the recently developed GreenFormat reference, stressing the tool’s ability to provide accurate and reliable information about various products’ sustainability attributes. FTC sought public input as part of an effort to develop updated guidelines regarding environmental marketing claims. CSI acknowledges the confusion claims about sustainable building products and various green building rating systems and programs have created among commercial construction professionals.

GreenFormat allows manufacturers to accurately report the sustainability-measuring properties of their products and provide designers, constructors and building operators basic information to help meet ÎgreenÌ requirements, CSI told the FTC. For manufacturers who are faced with myriad sustainable questionnaires, the direct link between question and verification gives a clearer understanding of the intent of the questions÷For designers, having that substantiation and verification means less concern about wading through potential Îgreen-washÌ and misleading information.