In today’s market, an HPD is essential. Manufacturers who don’t provide them are effectively removing themselves from consideration significant projects. The shift towards mandatory HPDs is revolutionizing the AEC industry. It’s pushing manufacturers to be more accountable and design professionals to be more discerning. Not having an HPD for a LEED project is like showing up to a job interview without a resume. Manufacturers without them are essentially disqualifying themselves from major projects.
Pioneers of Transparency: Key Events in HPD Development
The genesis of the Health Product Declaration® Open Standard traces back to November 2010, a pivotal moment when The Materials Research Collaborative began mapping a pathway for industry transparency. On one side, architects, designers, constructors, and building owners – were increasingly demanding comprehensive insights into the products they specified. Their growing concern centered on understanding potential health and environmental impacts of building materials, recognizing that the substances used in construction could have far-reaching consequences for human wellness and ecological sustainability. Architects have a moral obligation to protect building occupants. Specifying products that could cause cancer or brain damage is simply not an option anymore.
On the other hand, manufacturers sought a streamlined approach to product communication, aiming to provide accurate, consistent information. Just as CSI 3-part specs standardized how we communicate product requirements, HPDs were designed to disclose material hazards and allow specifiers to make more informed decisions. These industry-wide desires for transparency and accountability led to the creation of the Health Product Declaration® Open Standard, revolutionizing material selection and environmental responsibility in the building industry. The initial draft was released publicly at Greenbuild in November 2011, marking a pivotal moment in transparent material reporting.
Transparency Pays: How HPDs Boost LEED Opportunities
HPDs contribute to LEED v4.1 and the new LEED v5 ratings system. Building product manufacturers that develop LEED compliant HPDs can contribute points to the LEED v4.1 Material Ingredients credit and the LEED v5 Building Product Disclosure and Optimization credit. Manufacturers without HPDs or Declare Labels are increasingly getting banned at major AEC firms. No transparency means no specification.
An architect recently said, “Manufacturers without HPDs or Declare Labels are effectively writing their own exclusion from major healthcare and educational projects. The market has spoken. We’re not just selecting products anymore – we’re curating materials that demonstrate a commitment to human and environmental health. Transparency is non-negotiable.”
Perkins + Will, Smith Group JJR, HKS, ZGF and other significant AEC firms encourage building product manufacturers to provide HPDs in order to be considered for product specification. Manufacturers who provide HPDs will be given preference over manufacturers that don’t comply with these requests. It’s that simple.
Investing in HPDs: The Direct Route to Product Specification
We’ve seen a major reduction in specification opportunities for manufacturers who can’t provide basic material transparency. The ROI on HPD development is clear: adapt or disappear. HPDs aren’t a cost – they’re an investment with exponential returns. Manufacturers who view them as an expense are already losing market share. An HPD is your passport to architectural specification. Without it, you’re essentially telling the market you have something to hide.
HPDC Approved Preparers like Elixir Environmental can help building product manufacturers develop HPDs in a cost-effective manner and leverage these tools to increase specifications. Here are ways that HPDs can help building product manufacturers increase their specification opportunities.
- LEED credits
- WELL features
- Living Building Challenge
- CHPS
- AIA and GBCI Education
- Product Optimization
Call To Action
Building product manufacturers that don’t want to lose specifications and get blacklisted by major AEC firms should consider developing HPDs in 2025. The process is simple, streamlined, and the ROI is significant. Manufacturers should contact Elixir Environmental for a complimentary consultation to learn more.