SPD-700: Client Onboarding & Data Collection Guideline is the operational onboarding and data collection document of the Sustainable Product Declaration system developed by United Metric Association. It defines how manufacturers and applicant organizations enter the SPD process, what information they must provide, how data and evidence should be submitted, and how the initial documentation workflow is organized before assessment, review, reporting and registry processes begin. Within the SPD system architecture, SPD-700 is identified as the document that defines the client entry process, data collection workflow and required evidence. 

The purpose of SPD-700 is to make the SPD process practical, structured and accessible for manufacturers. Product sustainability information is often scattered across departments, production records, supplier documents, technical files, environmental records, ESG evidence and management systems. SPD-700 provides a step-by-step onboarding pathway that helps organizations identify what information is needed, who should be responsible, which documents must be collected and how evidence should be prepared for assessment and review.

SPD-700 supports the preparation of essential information such as product identification, product family scope, technical specifications, production site details, material composition, production processes, energy and water data, waste records, supplier information, lifecycle-related assumptions, ESG evidence, certificates, permits, policies, calculations and communication materials. It helps ensure that the applicant can demonstrate a clear relationship with the declared product and has sufficient access to relevant data and supporting documentation.

A central function of SPD-700 is to improve data readiness. Before an SPD assessment can be conducted, the manufacturer must be able to provide credible, traceable and reviewable information. SPD-700 guides the applicant through this preparation process and helps identify missing documents, weak evidence, unclear boundaries, incomplete supplier data or unsupported claims at an early stage.

The guideline also supports proportionality. Not all manufacturers have the same data maturity, technical capacity or internal sustainability systems. SPD-700 is designed to provide a practical entry pathway while maintaining the core SPD requirements of transparency, evidence, traceability and responsible communication. This is particularly important for small and medium-sized manufacturers that need a structured route into product sustainability documentation.

SPD-700 works closely with other SPD system documents. SPD-200 defines the assessment methodology, SPD-300 defines verification and review, SPD-400 defines reporting and disclosure rules, SPD-500 defines ESG indicator expectations, SPD-600 defines registry and certification rules, and SPD-800 defines digital registry and traceability logic.

Overall, SPD-700 provides the implementation entry point of the Sustainable Product Declaration system. Its value lies in helping manufacturers move from scattered internal information toward organized, complete and review-ready product sustainability documentation. It strengthens the quality of SPD declarations by ensuring that data collection, evidence submission and applicant responsibilities are clearly defined from the beginning.
The full SPD-700 Guideline is available for download exclusively by United Metric members.