ecospecifier’s assessment method provides the basis for what does and does not get listed on ecospecifier and how it is assessed.

It ensures that ecospecifier does not just 'tick the box' by taking manufacturer material at face value.

The methodology outlines what we believe is a practical and informative approach to this complex area.

It is discussed here in detail to ensure transparency and to assist the development of a shared understanding between designers, manufacturers, suppliers and others in the building materials supply chain of what constitutes 'best-practice towards sustainability'.

The one-line summary of ecospecifier.org's approach is that it seeks to provide information for key decision makers on best-practice products that support superior project performance, but ecospecifier.org seeks products that meet or exceed industry standards of fitness for purpose, e.g. a product that requires high maintenance or frequent replacement is highly unlikely to perform well in either health or environmental impacts.

ecospecifier.org seeks to achieve this by:

• Providing information on what the key environmental and health impacts of different forms of construction are likely to be
• Identifying typical priority issues in a given application
• Identifying the detailed characteristics of the product listed and the assessment criteria satisfied
• Assessing the product against current Green Building Schemes

ecospecifier.org assesses and presents sustainable and healthy materials, products & technologies relevant to all aspects of the built environment and suitable for:

• Infrastructure
• Greenfields and infill land development
• Residential - new residences, high-rise and refurbishments
• Commercial - offices, retail, hospitality, eco-tourism, health, etc.
• Marinas
• Industrial - manufacturing, warehousing, etc

Finally, as every project is different, ecospecifier.org provides guidance through the Global Search on how to make a judgement as to whether one product is likely to be preferable to another in a given application.

Contents of this section:

• Standards recognition & assessment types
• Assessing product sustainability
• How products are considered
• Assessment criteria
• Product categories
• Outcomes, Green Star™  credits & Data Assurance Levels
• 'Red lights' and 'Issues of concern'
• Introduction to ecolabels
• Seeking best practice