What this is:

This tool consists of interconnected 2 parts:

1. A Questionnaire

   A tool for Australian architects and designers to advocate to suppliers for development of more sustainable products by demanding improved transparency and better access to product sustainability information.

   This is intended to be a prompt for architect and suppliers to initiate engagement with suppliers, taking the load off individual practices working out what sustainability questions to ask. We strongly suggest all designers use this list of questions instead of reinventing the wheel and overwhelming suppliers with multiple questionnaires.

   The questions in this questionnaire have been reviewed by the Green Building Council, AIA SAF, Sustainable Business Matters, LFIA, Suppliers Declare, MECLA, independent architecture practices, interior designers and suppliers, and the AAD MWG volunteer group in attempts to create a concise list of questions that are required by architects and reasonable to ask suppliers.

2. A Database/ Information bank

   A tool to assist Australian architects and designers to compare and specify more sustainable materials and products.

   Responses to the questionnaire are collected in a database which is accessible to all architects and designers.

   The database is:

   • An independent, open-source, not-for-profit resource.
   • A platform to enable transparency of information.

   The database is not:

   • Actively managed.
   • Independently verified – suppliers take ownership of the information submitted.

Instructions for Architects, Specifiers and Designers

So you’d like to engage a supplier to learn more about their product, and submit it into the tool.

What you should know first.

• This is different to other product databases - read the about and what this is sections
• This is not a verified database, or product rating tool – suppliers enter and self verify the information.
• This is not a substitute for contacting suppliers. It is your responsibility to do due diligence to ensure the product is fit for purpose.

Instructions

1. Establish a connection with the supplier and send a request to submit the product you are interested in by using the template found here. [link to template by LS]. Make sure your own contact details are correct so they can inform you when complete.
2. The supplier then completes the information and submits the product to the website, and sends you an email notification. This may take some time as there are lots of questions, many of which manufacturers may not have been asked before. Stay in touch and follow up letting the manufacturers know that it is important that they provide this information for you to make an informed decision about specifying the product.
3. Check that the information displayed on the database seems right to you – if there are any issues, or missing information you think should be there contact the supplier and ask them to rectify the issue.
   • If not resolved contact Product Aware to flag the issue.
4. Look for date supplied to check that the information is relatively recent – if more than 12 months old users should request that the supplier re-confirms the information is current, or to update.
5. Compare products, or specify at your discretion. If you intend to specify the product, or rely on any if the information found of the website – contact the supplier directly to ensure the information they have provided is accurate and the product is fit for purpose, and has any specific details to include in the specification for your project.

Instructions for Suppliers and Manufacturers

What you should know first.

• We need you to provide clear and correct information – this is essential to create trust in your brand, and in this platform. We want this to work as it will be of benefit you as the supplier as much as architects, designers, and specifiers.
• This is different to other product databases.
  • This is a framework for transparency, enabling contact and creating a level playing field for all manufacturers and suppliers.
  • Products are un-verified - users, and their clients, and contractors will rely in the information provided by you to select products to be used in contract documentation. You, being the manufacturer or supplier providing information take all responsibility for providing accurate and honest information. Providing clear and concise evidence to accompany your responses is required to backup your claims.
  • This is not a rating tool. Indicators are displayed to show the level of completeness which reflects the breadth of information submitted and demonstrates transparency and awareness of your products impact. The more questions that are answered the higher the completeness indicator.
  • Products appear by default order of latest added, then lowest carbon. Users then filter products by category etc.

A. Submit a requested product

You have received a request from an architect or designer to complete the questionnaire and submit your product to the database.

Follow the instructions in the link sent to you to access and complete the questionnaire.

1. Register your company.

   Create an account and owner – this will generate a unique login for your company.

   • Enter details including name and email addresses for the account owner - primary point of contact for enquiries.
   • The owner should be someone who has authority and responsibility to declare that the information provided is accurate.
   • Additional users can sign up and will be automatically recognised if using the same email domain once they confirm their email address.
2. Basic Information - Enter basic identification information about your product or material including the name of the product, manufacturer, and category as it will appear on the database.

   Information should only be provided for one single product.

   • Multiple products should only be submitted as a single entry if answers to all questions are identical. To submit products with minor differences you can use a product that you have already submitted as a template, and adjust responses to specific questions as required.
3. Complete the questions for each section in the wizard
   • Questions are grouped into sections. Your answers are saved for each section when you move onto the next one. You can always come back and continue from where you left off.
   • There is only one set of questions no matter what type of product you are entering. Questions are intended to be general enough to be relevant to most products, but there will be questions which are not applicable to some products - these fields can be noted as n/a (not applicable).
   • Make sure you click the save button where prompted.
   • You will have the opportunity to update and update information if things change, or further information becomes available.
   • Where prompted to attach additional information, information provided should be as relevant to the question asked as possible. Making users download hefty dense brochures or hefty product manuals that they then need to hunt through isn’t ideal. If linking to a website – ensure this stays live and up-to-date, and update the link if things change.
4. Submit the product by selecting the agreement/ disclaimer. It will then immediately appear on the database.

   Greenwashing will not be tolerated on this platform. Before submitting, review the information to ensure that there is no greenwashing and that all information and claims can be substantiated directly in one of the referenced/linked documents you have uploaded.

5. Follow up with the architect or designer that made the initial request.

B. Send information about a product to an architect or designer.

An architect or designer has requested information about a product which is already on the platform. Send them a direct link to the product page an email, and note that they will need to register to the tool is they are not already.