Buy Clean and Buy Fair (BCBF)

Washington’s Buy Clean and Buy Fair (BCBF) law represents a crucial step in the state’s broader, ongoing commitment to combating climate change and building a clean energy future.

“Buy Clean” is a policy approach focused on the procurement of lower-carbon building materials. “Buy Fair” policies include consideration of the manufacturing workforce, by procuring materials that are manufactured with high environmental and labor standards. Buy Clean and Buy Fair policies can increase demand for low-carbon building materials and incentivize manufacturers to make those products.

Washington’s Buy Clean and Buy Fair bill was signed into law in 2024. RCW 39.116.005 requires state agencies and higher education institutions to report on the environmental impacts of concrete, wood and steel products purchased for the construction and renovation of large, state-owned buildings.

Commerce will implement the policy by:

• Developing a reporting database and clear guidelines and standards for reporting
• Developing educational materials and model specifications for building construction projects
• Creating a technical work group with representatives from manufacturing businesses, architecture, engineering, and construction companies, labor unions, state agencies, environmental groups and other partners. This group will develop legislative reports with recommendations on growing the supply and demand for low-carbon construction materials and make policy and program recommendations for consideration by the Legislature.

Buy clean policies aim to reduce embodied carbon

Buildings are responsible for 39% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with at least 11% resulting from the production of building materials. Buildings, roads, and other infrastructure generate greenhouse gases throughout their lifecycle — encompassing manufacturing, transportation, installation and disposal — contributing to embodied carbon emissions.

Buy Clean policies are becoming more common in the United States as government jurisdictions work to reduce embodied greenhouse gas emissions associated with building and roadway construction.

Buy Clean and Buy Fair (BCBF) Database

As part of the requirements outlined in RCW 39.116.005 Commerce developed a centralized reporting database to support transparency, accountability, and statewide consistency in how covered materials such as steel, wood, and concrete are reported. 

Who should use this tool? 

• State agency project managers 
• Facilities and capital project staff 
• Contractors and subcontractors 
• Material suppliers and manufacturers 
• Public stakeholders interested in transparency and climate policy related to state building 

Visit the BCBF Database page for more information and to request access. 

The reporting database plays an important role in: 

• Improving statewide oversight by providing a single source of truth for required reporting. 
• Supporting data driven policy decisions through consistent, high quality information. 
• Enhancing transparency so that communities and stakeholders can better understand program outcomes and public investments. 
• Streamlining reporting processes for agencies, reducing administrative burden and improving accuracy. 

Together, these functions help the state meet the intent of RCW 39.116.005 and strengthen the overall effectiveness of the program. 

The BCBF database was made in partnership with:

• BuiltCold 
• Building Transparency 
• Health Product Declaration Collaborative 
• BCBF TWG 

Resources

• Buy Clean and Buy Fair Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
• Buy Clean and Buy Fair Low-carbon manufacturing plan (PDF)
• Buy Clean and Buy Fair Final Report
• Carbon Leadership Forum
• RCW 39.116