The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) unveiled GreenFormat, a Web-based database of green product information, late last year at the U.S. Green
The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) unveiled GreenFormat, a Web-based database of green product information, late last year at the U.S. Green Building Council’s Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Boston. Accessible at www.greenformat.com, the database provides a standardized framework for identifying sustainable properties of building products. The free Web-based search Û organized by MasterFormat divisions Û yields downloadable, spec-friendly results, thereby offering a convenient, unbiased approach to evaluating green product information. Requirements of the Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System are among standards referenced within GreenFormat’s search to help users achieve green project goals.
To enter items into the database, manufacturers complete an online questionnaire that collects sustainable information about their products. Sustainability claims are verified by questions related to standards compliance and certifications. Information is then organized using categories that focus on topics important to design and product selection decisions.