Launch of Declare 2.1

A targeted update that improves usability, aligns the program with evolving industry standards, and lays the foundation for the future of Living Future’s materials programs.

Declare 2.1, the latest update to the Declare program, is live! This release introduces a streamlined reporting experience, clarifies program requirements, and expands transparency in several key areas—all while maintaining the core principles that have made Declare a trusted resource for healthy building products for more than a decade.

Declare 2.1 will be available through a new purpose-built technology platform developed in partnership with Geofund. The new platform provides manufacturers with a more intuitive reporting experience today while creating a flexible foundation for future program growth.

About Declare

Declare is a nutrition label for building products. It provides a simple, transparent way for manufacturers to disclose product ingredients and for designers, builders, owners, and consumers to identify products that support healthier buildings.
Manufacturers voluntarily publish Declare labels that disclose product ingredients and identify chemicals of concern using Living Future’s Red List methodology. Labels also provide information about product assembly locations, expected service life, end-of-life pathways, and compliance with applicable Living Building Challenge requirements.

All published labels are freely available through the Declare database, making ingredient information accessible to architects, designers, contractors, building owners, and anyone seeking healthier material choices. Manufacturers may also choose to have their disclosures independently verified through Living Future’s optional third-party verification program, providing additional confidence in ingredient disclosures and label claims. Declare is integrated into the mindfulMATERIALS Common Materials Framework and is recognized by numerous green building certification systems and procurement frameworks, including LEED and WELL.

Today, around 450 manufacturers participate in the Declare program, representing more than 1,900 active Declare labels specified on projects around the world.

Why Update Declare?

Since the release of Declare 2.0 in 2021, participation in the program has more than doubled. During that time, industry standards, ingredient disclosure practices, environmental reporting, and regulatory expectations have continued to evolve. Living Future has also received valuable feedback from manufacturers, third-party preparers, verifiers, and the broader materials community about opportunities to improve the reporting experience.

Declare 2.1 responds to these developments while preserving the core structure of the program.

Rather than fundamentally changing Declare, this release focuses on making the program easier to use, improving consistency with internationally recognized standards, clarifying existing requirements, and introducing a limited number of optional reporting fields that will help inform future program development.

The Declare Framework Remains the Same

Manufacturers and project teams can expect the same trusted Declare framework they know today.

The following core elements of the program remain unchanged:

Ingredient disclosure to 100 ppm (99–100% of the finished product by weight)
Living Building Challenge Red List screening methodology
Declaration Status categories (Red List Free, Red List Approved, and Declared)
Basic product information requirements
Ingredient naming and percentage range reporting
Living Building Challenge compliance pathways
Optional third-party verification

What’s New in Declare 2.1

Easier Product Disclosures

Declare 2.1 simplifies several areas that manufacturers have consistently identified as challenging.

Updates include:

Simplified disclosure guidance for metal alloys
Improved reporting pathways for polymers and other complex materials
More flexible ways to organize ingredient information within submissions

These improvements reduce administrative effort while maintaining the transparency expected from Declare.

Expanded Transparency

Declare 2.1 introduces several new opportunities for manufacturers to communicate additional sustainability information.

These include:

Expanded options for end-of-life and circularity reporting
Optional reporting of recycled content and chain-of-custody accounting methods
Optional reporting of Chemical Hazard Assessment Coverage to recognize progress toward comprehensive material health assessment

Better Alignment with Current Standards

Several program requirements have been updated to reflect changes in industry practice.

Examples include:

Updated references for VOC compliance
Expanded eligibility criteria for Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) used to support embodied carbon reporting
Updated embodied carbon comparison baselines
Clarified terminology and definitions aligned with internationally recognized standards

These updates improve consistency while minimizing changes for participating manufacturers.

Stronger Program Governance

Declare 2.1 also strengthens the governance framework supporting the program.

Updates include:

Clearer roles and responsibilities for manufacturers, preparers, verifiers, and Living Future
Alignment with relevant ISO 17065 principles
Introduction of the Approved Declare Preparer recognition program
Updated qualification, training, and oversight requirements for third-party verifiers
Expanded API capabilities to support future data integration

Together, these changes strengthen confidence in the program while improving consistency across all participants.

What This Means for You

Stakeholder	What to Expect
Manufacturers	A new reporting platform, streamlined disclosure workflows, clearer guidance, and new optional reporting opportunities.
Architects, Designers, and Owners	The same trusted Declare labels with additional information on circularity, recycled content, and material health where manufacturers choose to report it.
Third-Party Preparers	Updated program guidance and a new pathway to become a recognized Approved Declare Preparer.
Third-Party Verifiers	Updated governance requirements, training expectations, and quality assurance processes.
API Partners	Access to additional structured data fields to support expanded integrations and reporting capabilities.

Learn More

Additional resources are available to help manufacturers and program users transition smoothly.

Acknowledgements

Living Future gratefully acknowledges the many organizations, advisors, and community members whose expertise, feedback, and support contributed to the development of Declare 2.1.

We extend our sincere thanks to:

Living Future Europe, with special thanks to Carlo Battisti
Living Future Oceania, with special thanks to Nicola Smith and Fiona Caulfield
The Carbon Leadership Forum, with special thanks to Kristina Farrell and Brook Waldman
Eastern Research Group, with special thanks to Valerie Vines
Members of the Living Future community who generously shared feedback during the public review process

We would also like to recognize the members of the Material Health Technical Advisory Group (TAG), our individual technical advisors, and the members of the Regenerative Materials Tiger Team for their ongoing guidance, technical expertise, and thoughtful review throughout the development of Declare 2.1.

Finally, we acknowledge the partners whose vision, expertise, and financial support made the new Declare platform possible. We are incredibly thankful to Geofund for leading the development of the platform, and continuing to host the system. The platform is designed to support manufacturers and the broader materials ecosystem through simplified workflows, robust data interoperability, and a flexible architecture that can evolve alongside the program.

Living Future is equally grateful to SMS Collaborative—including its divisions Parallel Sustainability and Verico—for its strategic guidance and financial support, which made the development of this new platform possible. Together, these organizations have helped create a more connected, transparent, and high-impact materials ecosystem.