Why product transparency matters and how specifiers are driving the change

As specifiers place increasing value on sustainability and transparency, the conversation around materials and circularity is gaining momentum across the built environment. As a proud Strategic Partner of the Living Future Institute of Australia (LFIA), GH Commercial recently sat down with LFIA CEO Laura Hamilton-O’Hara to explore the growing importance of product transparency and the impact of Declare labels.

Championing product transparency

“Transparency is circularity 101,” says Laura Hamilton-O’Hara. With the rise of the circular economy, knowing what’s in a product has never been more critical. To embrace circular thinking, designers and manufacturers must understand a product’s full composition – only then can they ensure it can be reused, repurposed, or responsibly returned to the system. “You can’t solve a problem if you don’t know it is there, transparency is the first step.”

Demystifying Declare

One of the most powerful tools in the transparency space is the Declare program. Designed to make ingredient disclosure simple and accessible, a Declare label provides three key insights about a product: where it comes from, what it’s made of (down to 100 parts per million), and its end-of-life pathway.

“Declare is easy to use and understand, and the database is freely available,” Laura notes. “If a product contains a chemical of concern from the Red List, it’s highlighted in red on the label.” By providing a clear ingredients list for building products presented in a label, Declare® supports conscious, informed decision-making for specifiers.

Supporting global sustainability standards

Originally created to meet the Materials Petal requirements of the Living Building Challenge – the world’s most rigorous sustainability standard – Declare has since expanded its influence. It is now recognised across major green building rating systems, including WELL, LEED, and Green Star’s Responsible Products framework.

This broader adoption has strengthened the reach and relevance of Declare, reinforcing its position as a leading tool for product transparency in the global built environment.

The role of specifiers in driving change

According to Laura, specifiers have significant power to transform the industry. “Start by designing from what’s available – use Declare, and make that your first port of call,” she advises.

When options are limited, advocacy becomes key. “Let manufacturers know you’ve chosen their product because it has a Declare label. Ask others why they don’t. By doing this, you grow the market and make material transparency more accessible for everyone.”

GH Commercial: A leader in transparency

As LFIA’s longstanding Strategic Partner, GH Commercial is proud to lead by example. “GH Commercial has the most Declare labels of any manufacturer in Australia,” Laura says. “That’s compelling evidence of their commitment to integrity and transparency, and bold leadership in the Australian manufacturing sector.”

Partnerships like this are built on shared values and a vision for the future. “The best partners are those you move forward with,” Laura adds. “You build on each other’s work, and I feel that about GH Commercial.”