Many architects and builders are using FSC-certified wood in their projects as a means of demonstrating their own commitment to the environment. The LEED Green Building Rating System and other types of green building programs around the country help to encourage the use of FSC-certified wood, and allow building owners to earn recognition for doing so.

Under the LEED system, the Materials & Resources category addresses the issue of certified wood, with the intent of encouraging environmentally responsible forest management. For most of the different types of LEED certification programs, the requirement to earn the “certified wood credit” are that a minimum of 50 percent of wood-based materials and products must be FSC-certified. In the LEED for New Construction standard, for example, this could include structural framing and general dimensional framing, flooring, sub-flooring, wood doors and finishes.

Many professionals working on LEED-registered projects have questions related to the implementation of the certified wood credit and FSC-US has worked together with the U.S. Green Building Council to develop a list of frequently asked questions:

Q: IF I AM WORKING ON SUPPLYING PRODUCTS FOR A LEED-CERTIFIED CONSTRUCTION PROJECT, DO I NEED FSC CHAIN-OF-CUSTODY CERTIFICATION?

A: For LEED NCv2.2, CIv2.0 and EBv2.0 — If the product is individually labeled with an FSC logo and COC number by a manufacturer (and the packaging/product is not changed in any way before final sale), then that is the COC number required for LEED documentation. If the product is not individually labeled, then LEED requires the installer’s supplier’s COC number (i.e., lumber yards must have COC).

Q: IF I AM A RETAILER, DO I NEED COC CERTIFICATION TO SELL FSC PRODUCTS TO LEED PROJECTS?

A: For LEED NCv2.2, CIv2.0 and EBv2.0 — If you are a retailer selling to professional builders that are requesting FSC products for LEED you will not need your own chain-of-custody certificate as long as products are individually labeled as FSC-certified. If the products are not individually labeled, then you will need your own chain-of-custody certificate.

Q: WHAT IF I AM A DISTRIBUTOR PURCHASING A PRODUCT FROM A PRIMARY MANUFACTURER AND RESELLING TO A LUMBERYARD. BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND LUMBERYARD HAVE COC CERTIFICATION, AND I AM NOT TAKING PHYSICAL POSSESSION OF THE PRODUCT. DO I NEED COC CERITIFICATION?

A: Yes, anyone involved in the legal possession of the product (even if not in physical possession of the product) must have chain-of-custody certification. Without COC, the chain will be broken, and the lumberyard cannot resell the product to the project contractor as FSC-certified.

Q: WHAT IF I AM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE PRODUCT AS WELL AS THE ON-SITE INSTALLER OF WOOD PRODUCTS TO A LEED PROJECT (NOT SELLING THE PRODUCT TO A SUBCONTRACTOR)?

A: Since it is the manufacturer that is installing the product, the manufacturer’s supplier’s COC number will suffice.

Q: WHAT IF THE FSC LABEL SAYS THAT 70 PERCENT OF THE PRODUCT IS CERTIFIED — DO I ACCOUNT FOR ONLY 70 PERCENT OF THE PRODUCT VALUE, OR THE FULL PRODUCT VALUE TOWARD THE CERTIFIED WOOD CREDIT?

A: For LEED NCv2.2, use only the percent of the value. The NC Reference Guides provide more detail for complex assemblies. Please note that if the label does not contain a percentage, (for example, such as in the case of “FSC Pure” and “FSC Mixed Sources” labels) then 100 percent of the product value can be counted.

These questions can also be found online at: www.FSCus.org/greenbuilding.