Program design

A workable Buy Clean program connects policy intent to the decisions people make during design, bidding, submittals, and closeout.

Start with the decision

Before selecting a threshold, define what action the program should change. Examples include asking designers to evaluate material options earlier, rewarding lower-carbon bids, or ensuring final product disclosures are collected consistently.

Design the workflow

Define covered agencies, projects, and material categories.
Specify acceptable EPD program operators, dates, stages, and declared units.
Decide when project teams submit estimates and product-specific documentation.
Establish thresholds, incentives, review responsibilities, and exception paths.
Test the workflow with representative projects before broad rollout.

Preserve context

Every GWP value should be presented with its unit, life-cycle scope, and purpose. A number without that context is easy to misinterpret and difficult to use in procurement.