Ecolabel/Standards CMF Implementation Toolkit
Our goal in collaboration is simple. Focus the industry on specific ecolabel/standards to accelerate verified and digitized data to flow. Your success is our success and we ask for you to join us! Together is the only way.
A connected and scalable materials ecosystem doesn't happen by chance—it's built through alignment, consistency, and collaboration. mindful MATERIALS (mM) recognizes the key role ecolabel and standards organizations play in establishing standard protocols, ensuring accountability, and verifying claims to be trusted. For building product manufacturers, ecolabel and standards bodies play a key role in both data connectivity and data quality.
The CMF Prioritization v1.0 focuses the industry on nearly 100 ecolabel/standards that address all five impact areas, and validated specific details within it. See below steps for ecolabel/standards bodies to join and accelerate the movement, and support your customers in this work.
Why This Matters
You’re advancing transparency and accountability by setting the benchmarks for what good looks like. But without a shared structure, even the best programs can add friction—duplicate asks, disconnected data, and misaligned metrics.
The CMF Implementation Toolkit helps align your program criteria with the Common Materials Framework (CMF), ensuring your data can be shared once and used many times. This alignment connects your certifications directly to digital workflows, supports automation, and helps manufacturers and AEC/O teams act on your information with confidence.
See Jen Collins, mindful MATERIALS’ Tech and Data Forum Facilitator, show how the Toolkit turns alignment into action—helping programs connect their data, reduce redundancy, and scale impact across the entire value chain.
“When programs align with the CMF, their data becomes exponentially more powerful. It’s easier to share, easier to use, and easier to trust.”
— Jen Collins, Tech & Data Forum Facilitator, mindful MATERIALS
Emerging Partners:
mindful MATERIALS and its Forums are collaborating with leading ecolabel and standards organizations to accelerate a digitized data ecosystem grounded in quality, organized, and verified data.
Step #1: Becoming a Common Materials Framework Ecolabel/Standard Partner
Not yet recognized in CMF Prioritization v1.0?
We update CMF Prioritization v1.0 on a regular cadence to reflect industry need, program updates, and new standards.
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Learn about the update process
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Request consideration for recognition: complete this short Program Recognition Request form
Once submitted, we’ll confirm receipt and share expected timing and next steps aligned to our update cycle.
Already recognized—and want to become an official mM Ecolabel/Standards Partner?
Becoming a partner connects your program to our community, resources, and implementation work—expanding your reach and impact.
How to get started
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Email us: Include a brief overview of your organization and relevant programs, and why you want to partner.
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Intro call: We'll schedule a meeting with you to align on partnership scope and CMF implementation.
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Agreement: Review, sign, and return the Common Materials Framework Ecolabel/Standards Partner Agreement.
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Align your data structures, implement the CMF Data Schema v1.0 Beta, and communicate your alignment with the CMF. (See Steps 2-4)
Our Partnership Intent
Through our ecolabel/standards partnerships, mM aims to ensure the CMF remains open, consistent, and interoperable, so the whole industry benefits.
Neutral + Nonprofit Alignment: Partners align with mM’s role as steward, not gatekeeper.
Open but Controlled: Broad adoption of the CMF with safeguards against misuse.
Value Exchange: Partners benefit from CMF integration while contributing back (financial support, data quality, attribution, services).
Simplicity & Scalability: Agreements are streamlined, repeatable, and adaptable to multiple partners.
Step #2: Aligning with the Common Materials Framework
Organizations align with the CMF in many ways—from high-level endorsement to deeply data-driven workflows. That alignment depends on CMF-ready data from ecolabels/standards. When data is siloed, inconsistent, or unverified, informed decisions aren’t possible. Your program’s CMF alignment—and the availability of structured, shareable data—is essential to move information seamlessly across the value chain.
Do it in six quick steps:
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Create a free Airtable account.
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Request access to the CMF Prioritization v1.0 Airtable.
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In the Standards Lookup view, review how your program is represented.
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If changes are needed, submit them via the Ecolabel/Standards CMF Feedback Form.
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When you have new versions or new programs launch, use the same form to request additions and note where they map within the CMF.
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Provide insights on your digitization journey in this feedback form here.
The power of mM and the CMF is to consolidate and clarify the amazing tools and resources the industry has to offer. As you expand an API and provide pathways for digital data sharing, let us know so we can make sure our community knows!
Step #3: Implementing the mM Data Schema v1.0 Beta
To access the Data Schema v1.0 Beta, an Ecolabel/Standards Partner Agreement must be signed and in place. This agreement ensures proper use of the CMF intellectual property, visuals, and “CMF-Aligned” logo—protecting nonprofit ownership while enabling innovation and partner growth.
The Data Schema v1.0 Beta builds on the structure and data points in the CMF Prioritization v1.0 and is designed for broad accessibility and easy adoption across systems. It establishes a consistent format for exchanging CMF-related product data but does not verify certification content or validate claims against external sources.
To accelerate digitized and connected data, both data providers and recipients must use the Data Schema v1.0 Beta to ensure accuracy, matchability, and consistency. While this may require initial investment to update internal systems, it ultimately saves time, money, and energy across the value chain.
If your organization has an API, confirm that its structure follows the Data Schema v1.0 Beta and update as needed. If not, consult your IT team or external partners to explore options for developing one. Connected, digitized data is key to the future of quality, efficient material sustainability.
Step #4: Communicating Your Alignment with the Common Materials Framework
Once you've integrated Steps 2 and 3, you'll find a time to meet with mM Executive Leadership to review the functionality, and transition to communications and promotion planning.
mM will share access to communication resources as well as the CMF Ecolabel/Standard Partner logo assets. Your communication demonstrates your commitment to consistency, and shared progress—showing manufacturer and AEC/O partners that you're part of the movement advancing clarity and collaboration across the value chain.
Here’s how to share your alignment:
Internal
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Ensure your internal teams understand what the CMF is, why it matters, and how your program aligns.
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Equip anyone who shares your processes or connects with external audiences to confidently and accurately represent your CMF alignment story.
Public
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Publish your CMF alignment on your website, in marketing materials, webinars, certification PDFs, or social channels.
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Communicate with workflow tools, data management platforms, and manufacturers to confirm they understand that your data is CMF-aligned and ready to integrate.
Case Studies
Putting the Framework into Practice
Every ecolabel and standard has its own journey toward CMF alignment. The path isn’t always linear—but it’s possible, and it’s powerful. Through the guidance outlined above and by learning from peers, ecolabel and standard partners are translating alignment into action.
These stories highlight how leading programs are mapping to the CMF, overcoming data connectivity challenges, and helping make verified, impact-aligned data more accessible and actionable across the industry.
CMF Implementation Toolkits
