1. Know what you want and ask for it from manufacturers. Be straightforward.

 

2. Be sure to check for long-term performance, occupant health, sustainable and ethical sourcing, carbon impact, and reuse or recycling options.

 

3. Simplify your palette of materials--fewer materials means less vetting.

 

4. Make the design suitable to available materials. Do not try to adjust materials to the design.

 

5. Don't settle for only RedList free products. Ask manufacturers whether they know what they're using instead. Beware of toxic substitutions.

 

6. Coordinate materials Red List with the owner. Ask where their priorities are. For example, is a halogen-free task chair from China instead of Chicago acceptable? What are the cost limitations that the owner is willing to accept? (in the case of this project we seek to have the total budget comparable).

 

7. Develop an explicit list of material-related priorities for the project.

 

8. When contacting manufacturers, be friendly. "[Set] the tone for an amicable conversation rather than a confrontation." With the first contact ask about where they obtain their raw materials and ask for an MSDS. Then send the standard Red List form for a technical professional to fill out, including instructions. Be patient with the manufacturers.