From Framework to Function
The Future of Materials is Connected
The Data Ecosystem is powered by the Common Materials Framework and the new CMF Implementation Toolkit.
The Problem
The building industry is full of good intent—but stuck in a web of disconnected data, siloed tools, and duplicated efforts. The result? Sustainable product decisions are still harder than they should be.
The Solution
mindful MATERIALS, with its Forum partners, is building a connected, nonprofit-led Data Ecosystem—powered by the Common Materials Framework (CMF)—to make impact-aligned decisions easier, faster, and more scalable.
What’s a Data Ecosystem—and Why Does It Matter?
It’s how we connect the dots—from manufacturers (“Givers”) to architects, contractors, owners, and tools (“Receivers”)—through a shared structure and open communication channels.
Instead of siloed PDFs and spreadsheets, the Data Ecosystem enables product impact data to flow seamlessly through connected digital endpoints, creating efficiency, comparability, and automation across the value chain.
When the data ecosystem is fully functioning, we’ll see:
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Automated materials vetting for AEC/O
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Streamlined reporting to rating systems, pledges and to investors/shareholders
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ROI data back to Manufacturers
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Time, Money and Energy savings for all
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Quantifiable Impact Reduction of the Built Environment
But we all have a role to play in seeing this world become a reality, and faster we all align and take action, the faster we will be able to accomplish our collective goals.
What Data Ecosystem v1.0 Unlocks
A shared, CMF-aligned Data Schema
Best practices for managing and verifying sustainability data
Clear paths for manufacturers to share their data digitally
API connections to design, construction, and certification tools
Time, cost, and resource savings across the value chain
From Alignment to Automation: The Ecolabel & Standards Digitization Journey
Sustainability data is only as powerful as it is digitized and connected. Ecolabel and standard bodies are working with mindful MATERIALS and the CMF to digitize their data—moving from static PDFs to structured, connected data into workflow
This allows for an industry that is connected with high quality sustainability information, organized by impact, into workflow where product decisions are happening.
What’s a Data Ecosystem—and Why Technology Partners: Connecting the Ecosystem It Matter?
Our growing network of CMF technology partners is building the infrastructure that makes interoperability possible. Each platform plays a unique role—serving manufacturers, AEC/O users, or both—and aligning their data models to the CMF to support consistent, automated workflows.
Please note, this system—and the technology platforms that support it—are ever evolving, and the efforts to accelerate a Data Ecosystem are just starting. Each organization should evaluate which platform best meets its needs as the ecosystem continues to grow and evolve.
CMF Approved Technology Partners:
Why This Matters
Data is how we quantify impact, reduce risk, and future-proof decisions.
When sustainability data is structured and connected, it becomes:
Actionable
Scalable
Trusted
A Connected Future Requires Collective Action
The Data Ecosystem is being built by nonprofits and partners across the value chain—for the benefit of the entire industry. To scale it, we need your participation, alignment, and advocacy.
Shared Infrastructure
Cross-Platform Integrations
Education and Support
A Future Where Sustainable Product Decisions Are the Default
CMF Implementation Toolkits
