Sustainable Materials Consultancy

Grounding material choices in evidence and project needs

A product’s environmental declaration, emissions document and technical data sheet answer different questions. Our materials consultancy connects these documents with the proposed product and project requirements. AECO helps design and procurement teams assess options alongside environmental information, durability and use needs. The rationale for each choice and outstanding documentation are recorded so teams can track them.

The service supports design teams selecting alternatives, procurement teams tracking products and documents, and clients translating sustainability objectives into implementation. Work can begin during design and specification preparation and continue through the review of product changes during procurement. We first agree priority material groups and the information the project requires.

We review environmental product declarations, documents concerning product content and emissions, and relevant technical information. We check which product a document covers, its validity and its match with the proposed product. The review also explains which project requirement the information may address. Missing information and matters requiring clarification are recorded in the tracking list.

Environmental product declarations present environmental impact information within a defined framework. Product content and emissions into indoor spaces are assessed according to the scope of the relevant document. This distinction helps the procurement team understand which document to request for each information need. Where a certification system includes material requirements, we relate the document review to those requirements.

We consider durability, maintenance, resource use and available environmental data when assessing alternatives. Comparisons of environmental declarations depend on their assessment boundaries and the compatibility of the information. We present findings alongside those conditions. The project team can then see differences between products and identify where further information is required.

We maintain the reviewed product and document list as procurement changes occur. Where a proposed substitution affects a previously reviewed document or project requirement, we record its implications. Specification and procurement recommendations set out the technical characteristics to be checked and the documents to be completed in clear terms.

For environmental product declarations, ISO 14025 environmental product declaration framework is a relevant core reference. For construction products, EN 15804 defines core product category rules for environmental product declarations. In assessment systems such as LEED, product documentation is considered alongside the requirements applicable to the project. We establish the assessment criteria and documentation needs according to the target system and project scope.

Deliverables include a material assessment matrix, a product and document tracking list, and recommendations for specifications and procurement. Findings are organised so the team can use them during selection and follow-up. For the certification context, see our green building certificates article; for the indoor environment connection, see our WELL article.