The AIA's Next-Generation Contract Documents Service

Tue, 24 May 2011 12:52:00 GMT

The AIA recently celebrated 100 years of contract documents during their 2011 convention. The convention gave a glimpse into the future, with a preview of the AIA’s next-generation contract documents service. The online, cloud-based service will be available in early 2012. It will allow users to digitally search, edit, share, and store contracts. This new service should be a welcome change for AIA contract users, as none of the current options for obtaining AIA contracts allow for digital editing or easy storage.

The AIA also released a new guide for sustainable projects. The guide will assist users in understanding contractual considerations unique to sustainable design and construction projects. The guide can be downloaded for free at http://info.aia.org/aia/sustainabilityguide.cfm.

FTC Proposes Revisions to "Green Guides"

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 11:51:00 GMT

In response to the increased use of environmental marketing over the last few years, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has set forth some proposed revisions to their already existing “Green Guides.” Green Guides are advertising guidelines that include principles, guidance, and examples on the use of environmental marketing. Green Guides was created by the FTC to protect consumers from “greenwashing” – the deceptive use of green marketing in order to mislead a consumer into believing that a company’s polices or products are environmentally friendly. The Green Guides also aims to help marketers avoid making misleading environmental claims. While they are not enforceable regulations, if the FTC finds that a marketer is making environmental claims that are inconsistent with Green Guides it may take action under Section 5 of the FTC act prohibiting unfair or deceptive acts or practices.

The new proposal includes both revisions to the existing Green Guides as well as additions. Proposed additions address renewable material content claims, renewable energy claims, and carbon offset claims. Revisions clarify the circumstances under which marketers can make claims that a product is degradable, compostable, ozone-safe/ozone-friendly, recyclable, or non-toxic. The amendments also address marketers’ use of product certifications and seals of approval. The revisions aim to make it clear that marketers need to substantiate all expressed and implied claims involving the environment.

The proposed revisions to the Green Guides will affect design firms because it protects them and their clients from some of the greenwashing marketing by product manufacturers.

Schinnerer's RM Blog - green guides tag

The AIA's Next-Generation Contract Documents Service

FTC Proposes Revisions to "Green Guides"