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What is the most often asked question during an EPD discussion with a building product manufacturer? "What do I need to kickstart my EPD?" Here are five things you should answer before developing a Type III Environmental Product Declaration (EPD): ▶️ Clearly define the product(s) you want to include in the EPD. ▶️ Determine if you're the sole manufacturer or an industry partner must be involved. ▶️ Do you have more than one final assembly location? ▶️ Has your final manufacturing or fabrication facility been operational for at least 6+ months? ▶️ Do you have access to recent sales figures and production data? Getting these essentials in place will ensure a smooth process. ______________________ What is a Type III EPD: - A standardized and credible way to communicate the environmental impacts of products based on a life cycle assessment (LCA) and third-party verification. ____ 👉 NEW EPD Release Epoxy Resin Countertops for Laboratory Casework Kewaunee Scientific Corp. - Valid until 10 May 2029

As a specification writer collaborating closely with sales reps, I've had the opportunity to work with both start-ups and established brands. This experience has highlighted the importance of effective communication when engaging with architects and specifiers. Here are a few fundamental rules I share with the brands I work with: ▶️ Relevance Matters: Not every product fits every project or architect’s needs. You can skip the generic email blasts and focus on tailored communications that genuinely resonate with your audience. ▶️ Time Crunch: Architects juggle multiple projects and tight deadlines. A flood of emails distracts them from their primary goal—designing! Keep your messages concise and impactful. ▶️ Visuals over Text: While architects thrive on visuals, specifiers need technical information! When introducing your products, know your audience. A well-organized brochure often communicates more effectively than lengthy emails. ▶️ Building Relationships: Face-to-face connections and meaningful conversations are more valuable than impersonal emails. Remember, people do business with people, not generic sales pitches! Understanding your audience is key to grabbing their attention and fostering meaningful connections. __________ 👉 Specification of the week. Manufactured Roof Pipe Chases by Alta Products. You only have one chance to organize all your roof-pipe connections and make them look perfect. Download a free copy in MS word at ZeroDocs(.)com

3 Things NOT to Do 🛠️ when working with a specifier. Hiring a specifier to write specifications can be exciting and a great learning experience. The process can be as quick as two weeks or stretch into months—depending on how things go. 🤔 Here’s a little peek behind the curtain: When it goes smoothly: 1️⃣ We write a draft, and you review it for product accuracy—done! ✔️ 2️⃣ We write a draft, you review it for product accuracy, and we wrap it up with a close-out meeting—done! ✔️ 3️⃣ We write a draft, ask for any missing info, make updates, and confirm product accuracy—done! ✔️ When it drags on (and how to avoid it): 🚨 #1: You get the draft... and it bounces around the office like a hot potato. 🎯 Fix: Trust your team to review and give timely feedback! No more passing the buck. 🚨 #2: You download every spec from the internet and play "Where's Waldo" with what you think it should look like. 👓 Fix: Stick with your specifier's draft—it’s tailored for you! 🚨 #3: You download competitor specs, call up your industry buddies, and decide you know best. 🧐 Fix: Remember, your specifier knows what works best for your product. Trust their experience! In the end, the key to a smooth, fast process is trusting your specifier’s expertise. We have your best interest at heart and want to set you up for success. 💪 ______________ 👉 Specification of the Week Cementitious Roof Insulation by T. Clear Corporation. Ballast for protected membrane roofing in flat or low-slope roof systems. Download a free copy now. ⬇️⬇️

When our team first started writing MFR specifications, the process was anything but swift. Estimates used to take a day or two to prepare. Brands often "data dump" everything into an email or cloud storage, hoping we'd shift through to provide a free comprehensive review. (I'm guessing this is how most architects and specifiers feel when requesting "more Info" on websites.😇) Today, that's all changed. Now, estimates are completed in less than an hour. Here's what we request from MFRs to make it happen: ✅ Product Name ✅ Product Website Link ✅ Up-to-Date Datasheet(s) Why This Matters Streamlining the initial information saves valuable time, and the "data dumps" stopped. In the end, you have to trust the advice of your specifier, and they've got your best interest at heart. 👍 __________________ 👉 Specification of the Week Cementitious Roof Insulation by T. Clear Corporation. Ballast for protected membrane roofing in flat or low-slope roof systems. Download a free copy now. ⬇️⬇️

Uncertainty—We All Try to Avoid It with Specifications and Sustainability Documentation. 🔍 For Architects: Sustainability documents, like Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), Health Product Declarations (HPDs), and Red List Free documentation, are designed to provide clear, reliable information and reduce uncertainty. Specifications serve a similar purpose by outlining precise product and contract requirements to ensure project success. 🛠️ For Manufacturers: Investing in sustainability documents and navigating the specification process can feel like a gamble if it doesn’t immediately boost sales. However, these efforts are vital for reducing uncertainty and positioning your brand for long-term growth. In both cases, the goal is to eliminate uncertainty—whether achieving precise project outcomes or gaining strategic business advantages. _______ 👉👉 EPD of the Week: Concrete reinforcement fibers by RegenFiber. REGEN Fiber delivers a circular solution by reprocessing a range of composite materials into reinforcement fibers and additives for asphalt, composite, and concrete applications. As the world’s first company to sustain #FreeTheFiber from wind turbine blades sustainably without using a thermal or chemical process. Grab a copy at the link below:

When writing 3-part specifications for building products, missing data—like incomplete engineering reports, absent fire testing, and missing performance standards—can often be a challenge. Verifying product compliance is crucial to ensure accuracy and prevent issues down the line. 👉👉Do we turn these companies away or refuse to write their 3-part specifications? ▶️ Absolutely not. Instead, we focus on addressing these gaps collaboratively. Here’s how we guide brands: ✅ ASTM Testing: Identifying and specifying the ASTM tests commonly required for your products. ✅ Data Sheet Accuracy: Ensuring that terms used in your data sheets are correct and standardized. ✅ Terminology Guidance: Helping you avoid confusing or unconventional terminology. ✅ Preparation: Assisting you in navigating tricky questions during calls with specifiers and architects. 3-part guide specifications can make all the difference in accurately representing your products and meeting all necessary standards before sharing them with architects. ↗️You've only got one chance to make a first impression. [Thank you to all the architects and project specifiers sending brands our way this year.🙂] ----------- 👉 Specification of the Week: Metal Canopies by https://smpl.is/9kws4 👉👉 Grab free copies of all our specs at the link below.

🌱 97% of millennial architects are eager to specify more sustainable materials, according to a 2022 AIA report. Where do they source product sustainability information? 🤔 - 82% head straight to the manufacturer's website. So, what are architects looking for when they get there? 🧐 🔍 Downloadable Documentation: ▶️ Product Certifications: Think Cradle to Cradle, Declare. ▶️ Product Disclosure Docs: Think Health Product Declarations (HPDs) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). But here’s what’s missing on too many websites: 1️⃣ A clearly marked sustainability button. 2️⃣ Easy access to downloadable documentation. 3️⃣ Clear, concise certification info—not just vague claims, documents, letters, or brochures about being "green." Architects and contractors aren't just looking for buzzwords—they want concrete, actionable information. ______ 👉 EPD of the Week: Laboratory Casework by Kewaunee Scientific Corporation. Grab a copy at the below link.

I recently wrote 3-part guide specifications for a resinous flooring brand. This is my second project this year in this field, and I’ve noticed a recurring theme: 🫥 Brands with 35 products often think they need 35 specifications. However, after charting the products on an Excel sheet, I streamlined those 35 specifications down to just 4 guide specs. Here’s how: 👉 Tips for Writing Effective Guide Specifications for Architects: Plan Strategically: Don’t write specifications just for the sake of it. Approach the task with a clear strategy. Group Products Efficiently: I consolidated 35 products into 4 key specifications: 🫥 Urethane Cements 🫥 Quartz and Flakes 🫥 Solid Color Floors 🫥 Pedestrian and Traffic Coatings Avoid extra specs: You can just avoid creating a full 3-part specification for each accessory, such as primers or cove base. Guide with Comments: You can use comments within your specifications to guide architects on recommended uses and key considerations. Ultimately, your product guide specifications should clarify how to specify the product and highlight what’s essential. ----------- 👉 Specification of the Week: Suspended Wood Ceilings by Roseburg 👉👉 Grab your free copies of our specs at the link below.

I recently had a conversation with a fellow specifier that truly resonated with me. It’s astonishing how a single misspelled word can overshadow all your hard work. Often, the quality of our work is judged solely by that one small mistake, despite the countless hours we spend ensuring accuracy and thoroughness. It’s a tough reality in our line of work. ________ 👉 Specification of the Week: Suspended Wood Ceilings by Roseburg. Grab free copies of our specifications at the link below. 😉

Writing manufacturer specifications has been a real eye-opener for me. 🌟 Every day brings something new—whether it's a call about a mechanical, plumbing, electrical, or architectural product, we never know what to expect! Working with brands of all sizes and across various product types has shown me just how diverse and challenging this field can be. A few ground rules I always share with manufacturers: 1️⃣ Start with a clear specification plan. 👉 How can you write fewer specs that are easy to follow? 👉 Should you include 15 products in one spec, or does each need its own? 2️⃣ Keep it simple. 👉 Focus on what's important: the product, assembly, and material. 👉 Make it less about the competition and more about the architect who will use the spec. 3️⃣ Make it easy for architects to have that "aha" moment. 👉 Will your spec be easy to follow? 👉 Can architects understand how to specify your product within 30 seconds? At the end of the day, it's more about truly understanding the products than getting overly technical. --------- Interesting project of the month: Glazed Structures by Cabrio Structures.