What is The Construction Standard, and what is its relationship to CSI?
The Construction Standard is the authorized commercial licensing channel for CSI's standards: MasterFormat®, UniFormat®, and OmniClass®. It is operated by Construction Information Network, LLC (CIN), a for-profit LLC that began operating publicly under The Construction Standard brand in July 2025. The company was originally incorporated as Construction Information Network, LLC in January 2020 in Alexandria, Virginia.
What is the history of the relationship between CSI and CIN?
CIN (Construction Information Network, LLC) is the for-profit entity that operates as The Construction Standard (TCS). It is not new:
- In 2018–2019, the CSI Board of Directors launched “Project Dynamo” and a “Construction Information Exchange” concept aimed at modern, interoperable classification services.
- In May 2020, CSI launched “Project Dynamo” as Crosswalk to integrate CSI standards into software via an API. This accelerated the licensing of CSI standards (MasterFormat, UniFormat, OmniClass) into multiple software platforms. Concurrently, CSI formed CIN as a for-profit LLC to license the standards for broader digital delivery, to mitigate risk to CSI, and to enable development.
- In July 2025, CSI brought in a software-development partner; CSI retained significant control, and “The Construction Standard” became the operating name/brand. The products and services have been developed with feedback from testers (architects, engineers, specifiers).
- For more on the vision and mission of CIN, visit theconstructionstandard.com
Please describe the difference between the roles of CSI and TCS and how they work together?
CSI (Construction Specifications Institute) remains the owner and steward of the standards. The Construction Standard's role is to make those standards more useful in modern workflows: current, connected, and easier to use across the full project lifecycle. CSI and TCS work in close partnership: CSI continues to govern the standards while The Construction Standard focuses on authorized access, licensing, distribution, and delivery.
Are there examples of other nonprofit organizations that have for-profit entities?
Yes, this is a common model used to support innovation while preserving the nonprofit mission. The ASME, UL, ICC are just a few examples of nonprofits that operate for-profit subsidiaries to among other things leverage new technologies for the advantage of members.
Why did CSI decide to invest in a for-profit entity?
Similar to other nonprofits, we realized the benefits to our members of setting up a for-profit structure to leverage technology. The for-profit structure was designed to enable greater investment in technology development capacity and move development and distribution costs to TCS. A separate for-profit entity mitigates financial and operational risk to CSI as a nonprofit. This change will improve development capacity and also shift expenses to TCS, allowing CSI to focus on standards stewardship and governance while TCS handles licensing, distribution, and platform development.
Does CSI control The Construction Standard (TCS)?
While CSI does not control TCS’s operations, it maintains significant influence through its ownership of the standards and its role in guiding how they are delivered.
CSI retains full ownership and control of its standards, including how they are developed, maintained, and licensed. That has not changed.
The Construction Standard (TCS) operates as a separate entity focused on delivering the digital platform and tools that make those standards more accessible and usable. This structure allows each organization to focus on its strengths—CSI as the steward of the standards, and TCS as the provider of the technology.
This separation helps enable faster innovation and specialized expertise while ensuring the integrity of the standards remains with CSI.
Why is something that CSI used to control now managed by TCS?
CSI has not given up control of its standards—the standards themselves remain fully owned, governed, and developed by CSI.
What has changed is how those standards are delivered. The Construction Standard (TCS) was established to provide the digital platform, tools, and infrastructure needed to modernize access and usability. This shift allows CSI to focus on its core role as the steward of the standards, while TCS focuses on technology and delivery.
This separation was intentional. Delivering modern, connected, and contemporary standards requires specialized expertise, investment, and speed that are better supported through a dedicated technology-focused entity. By partnering in this way, CSI can maintain control of the content while enabling better tools and faster innovation for users.
Has TCS invested more in technology development?
Yes. One of the primary reasons for establishing TCS was to enable greater investment in technology development than CSI could support on its own. This increased investment is what allows for faster innovation, more robust tools, and a better overall user experience.
Why is CSI moving to more frequent updates?
Industry stakeholders—including government, contractors, trade organizations and related manufacturers, engineers, design professionals, and specifiers—consistently told CSI that changes to standards are too infrequent, forcing firms to create workarounds when they would prefer to work with CSI to update. The CDS platform is designed to support regular releases - targeting annual updates initially, with the goal of quarterly updates once the existing backlog of proposals has cleared. The connected digital format makes this possible.
Is CSI still a non-profit organization?
Yes. CSI has always been, and remains, a tax-exempt not-for-profit 501(c)(6) organization. TCS is a separate for-profit LLC that licenses and delivers the standards.
Does CSI feel the communications process for introducing the CSI Dynamic Standards was a good one?
No. We recognize the communications were lacking and that the rollout of the changes was incomplete, leaving many unanswered questions. We are truly sorry and are working to make improvements with more frequently updated FAQs and more dedicated and responsive communications.
Who owns the copyright to MasterFormat, UniFormat, and OmniClass?
CSI (Construction Specifications Institute) owns all three. MasterFormat®, UniFormat®, and OmniClass® are copyrighted works and registered trademarks of CSI. The Construction Standard is authorized by CSI to provide licensed commercial access to these standards. CSI still owns the standards.
Who updates the CSI standards going forward?
Maintenance and updates to MasterFormat, UniFormat, and OmniClass continue to be performed by CSI volunteers and staff through CSI's established consensus-based process — the same model that has always been in place. This is consistent with how major standards bodies like ASTM and NFPA operate: volunteer subject-matter experts propose additions, revisions, and reclassifications under agreements that assign their contributions to CSI. The Construction Standard's role is delivery and licensing of those standards.
What is the benefit of more frequent updates compared to a static PDF updated less often?
More frequent updates ensure that you are working with the most current, accurate, and relevant information. Instead of waiting years for a new edition, updates can reflect industry changes, fill gaps, and respond to user feedback in a timely manner.
This reduces the risk of using outdated standards, minimizes rework, and helps teams make better decisions. At the same time, version control ensures that individual projects can remain tied to a stable standard, providing consistency where it’s needed.
If TCS is now selling the standards, why should I still be a member of CSI?
There are substantial benefits to CSI membership. And remember, membership remains individual, not firm-based. The benefits of individual CSI membership include:
- Community and professional network: chapters, regions, and national events that connect specifiers and construction information professionals
- Discounted access to education, professional development, and CSI certifications (CDT, CCS, CCPR, and others)
- Preferred (discounted) CDS pricing for CSI members: member pricing tiers are available for firms with $10MM or less in annual revenue
- Participation in shaping faster, more frequent standards updates through CSI's volunteer committee process
- Being part of the stewardship body that governs the standards the entire AECO industry depends on.
Why are you now charging for the standards when they used to be free?
We have always charged for the modern standards, what has changed is the introduction of the annual subscription model. It is possible to register for a free lookup account. Visit theconstructionstandard.com for more information.
Why are you charging for something that was designed by volunteers?
While volunteers develop the standards, there are real costs to support, maintain, and deliver them—especially in a modern digital platform. This includes technology, updates, quality control, and ongoing improvements.
Charging for access ensures the standards remain current, reliable, and sustainable, while continuing to support the volunteer-driven process behind them.
Will there be lower-cost options for individuals who need limited access to the standards?
Yes. Member-specific pricing tiers are available.
Where can I find more information about licensing and pricing?
Key resources: