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LEED v2009
New Construction
Materials and Resources

Certified Wood

LEED CREDIT

NC-2009 MRc7: Certified Wood 1 point

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XX%

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LEEDuser expert

Terry Campbell

Sustainable NW Wood
Sales & Marketing Director

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Credit language

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Requirements

Use a minimum of 50% (based on cost) of wood-based materials and products that are certified in accordance with the Forest Stewardship Council’s principles and criteria, for wood building components. These components include at a minimum, structural framing and general dimensional framing, flooring, sub-flooring, wood doors and finishes.Include only materials permanently installed in the project. Wood products purchased for temporary use on the project (e.g., formwork, bracing, scaffolding, sidewalk protection, and guard rails) may be included in the calculation at the project team’s discretion. If any such materials are included, all such materials must be included in the calculation. If such materials are purchased for use on multiple projects, the applicant may include these materials for only one project, at its discretion. Furniture may be included if it is included consistently in MR Credits 3. Materials Reuse, through MR Credit 7: Certified Wood.

Pilot Alternative Compliance Path Available

The following pilot alternative compliance paths is available for this credit. See the pilot credit library for more information. MRpc102 - Legal Wood
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Cost estimates for this credit

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Frequently asked questions

I have supporting manufacturer documentation for the FSC wood used on our project. Is this enough to document this credit, or do I need invoices as well?

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Can products labeled “FSC Recycled” or “FSC Recycled Credit” contribute towards MRc7? What about "FSC Mix" percentages that refer to recycled content?

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Does FSC-certified wood automatically contribute to IEQc4.4 as a low-emitting material?

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We are using a lot of reclaimed wood. Should we include this in our MRc7 calculations? What about wood that is already installed on the project, in a renovation? What about wood products with recycled content?

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Does FSC-certified bamboo products count towards this credit?

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A product has FSC-certified veneer, but a non-certified core. Can we prorate the MRc7 contribution of this product based on the cost of the veneer?

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Should wood used on site features such as benches or a gazebo be included here?

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Is there a minimum quantity of wood that must be used on the project to qualify for this credit?

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We are pursuing IEQc4.5 from LEED-CI as an ID credit. Are we then required to include the cost of furniture in MRc3–7?

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What building components are typically purchased with FSC content to earn this credit?

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We’re having trouble getting FSC wood within our budget. Can we use products with another forestry certification?

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Do I need to provide invoices for all of the new wood products purchased for the project, or just FSC wood products?

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Addenda

10/1/2012Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
Replace the definition of "chain-of-custody (COC)" with "the path taken by raw materials, processed materials, and products from the forest to the consumer, including all successive stages of processing, transformation, manufacturing and distribution. A chain-of-custody certificate number on invoices for nonlabeled products indicates that the certifier's guidelines for product accounting have been followed. A chain-of-custody certification is not required by distributors of a product that is individually labeled with the Forest Stewardship Council logo and manufacturer's chain-of-custody number. Chain of Custody (CoC) certification requirements are determined by Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody Standard 40-004 v2-1."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
7/19/2010Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
At the end of the first paragraph, insert the following text:Entities that install an FSC-certified product on the projectbuilding/site (typically project contractors or subcontractors, butalso furniture installers and the like), do not require CoCcertification as long as they do not modify the product\'s packagingor form except as is required for installation. Contractors and subcontractorsthat temporarily possess FSC-certified material prior toinstallation should be careful not mix or contaminate the FSCcertifiedmaterial with non-FSC-certified material.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/19/2010Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Replace the first paragraph with the following:List all new wood products (not reclaimed, salvaged, or recycled)on the project and identify which components are FSC certified.The cost of all new wood products, both FSC certified and not,must be tallied. Develop a spreadsheet to calculate the amount ofnew wood and the amount of FSC certified wood permanentlyinstalled on the project. Wood products that are not FSC certifiedand those that are identified on invoices as FSC Pure and FSCMixed Credit should be valued at 100% of the product cost unlessthe product is an assembly in which case only the new woodportion of the product counts for credit, see the guidance forassemblies in this credit. Wood products identified as FSC Mixed(NN)% should be valued at the indicated percentage of their cost,for example, a product identified as FSC Mixed 75% should bevalued at 75% of the cost. FSC does not allow partial claims ofcertified products, wood products with non-controlled woodcomponents will not earn FSC certification. The entire product mustbe FSC-certified, Pure, Mixed (NN)%, or Mixed Credit to contributetowards the credit threshold for MR Credit 7. For example, aproduct that includes multiple wood components, like a door, theentire product must be FSC certified. The door cannot be labeled,or claim, that only the door core is FSC certified.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
8/1/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
*This is an update to addenda ID # 100000384 originally posted July 19, 2010* In the first sentence of the first paragraph replace, "such as windows and furniture systems that combine wood and nonwood materials" with "such as windows, doors, and some furniture that combine multiple material types, only the new wood portion can be applied toward the credit."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/19/2010Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
*This issue has been updated in addenda ID # 100001000 on August 1, 2011* In the first paragraph, replace the second sentence with "To determine the value of the wood component(s), calculate the amount of new wood as a percentage of the total weight or volume and the amount of FSC-certified wood as a percentage of the total weight or volume."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
11/2/2009Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
In fifth line of the paragraph, insert spaces between the words of the text so it becomes "...perspective, the elements of responsible FSC-certified forestry include sustainable timber harvesting..."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
5/9/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Note the following addenda under \'Calculating Materials Costs to Achieve MR Credits\' on page 337:Add the following after "...Furniture and Furnishings as long as this is done consistently across all MR credits.", "Exclude artwork, interior plants, and musical instruments."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
8/28/2007
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

LEED-NC version 2.2 Rating System, MR Credit 7, Certified Wood, page 58 states: "Use a minimum of 50% of wood-based materials and products, which are certified in accordance with the Forest Stewardship Council\'s (FSC) Principles and Criteria, for wood building components. These components include, but are not limited to, structural framing and general dimensional framing, flooring, sub-flooring, wood doors and finishes. --Only include materials permanently installed in the project." Is this regulation that narrows LEED credit achievement to permanently installed wood materials subject to any errata sheets, administrative rulings, interpretations, etc. that allow non-permanently installed wood materials to be included in the calculations of FSC certified wood for this credit? Also, assuming that the 50% required for credit achievement is met, please clarify 1. whether this point can be earned by including temporary wood products in the calculation of FSC certified wood products (in addition to the permanently installed wood products), and 2. whether this point can also be earned with achievement among the temporary wood products alone (without any FSC certified wood among the permanently installed wood products but by including the non-FSC-certified permanently installed wood products in the base amounts of wood products).

Ruling:

The inquiry is seeking clarification on whether temporary wood products may be included in the MRc7 calculation, and if so, whether the entire 50% of wood materials for the credit may be met by the temporary wood products. Per the LEED-NC v2.2 Reference Guide, First Edition October 2005, Errata Sheet posted November 17, 2005, as well as the LEED-NC v2.2 Reference Guide, Second Edition September 2006, "wood products purchased for temporary use on the project (e.g. formwork, bracing, scaffolding, sidewalk protection, and guardrails) may be included in the calculation at the project team\'s discretion. If any such materials are included, all such materials must be included in the calculation. If such materials are purchased for use on multiple projects, the applicant may include these materials for only one project, at its discretion." This credit is achievable through the temporary wood products alone, as long as all permanent wood products are also included in the wood total. Applicable Internationally.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
4/2/2014
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

Please provide clarification on documentation of recycled content claims and FSC certified claims for woods products such as particleboard, MDF and other composites.

Ruling:

The project team in inquiring how to document products with valid recycled content claims as well as FSC certification. Products identified as FSC Mix Credit or FSC Mix [NN] % also have pre- or post-consumer recycled content, the latter of which is commonly reported separately by the product manufacturer. In these instances the project team must choose whether to classify the product (or some fraction of the assembly) as FSC certified or as recycled content; the material cannot contribute to both claims simultaneously. Specifically claims may be made under either MRc4: Recycled Content, or MRc7: Certified Wood. Note that for recycled content claims the material must meet the definition of ISO 14021 as required by LEED.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
4/1/2012
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

When a LEED NC project attempts LEED CI Indoor Environmental Quality credit 4.5: Low Emitting Materials - Systems Furniture and Seating as an Innovation in Design strategy, are they required to include the furniture costs in Materials and Resources credits 3 thru 7?

Ruling:

No, LEED NC projects are not required to include furniture in their calculations for MR credit 3-7 if using low emitting furniture for an ID strategy. LEED Interpretation #3901 states that although furniture does not have a dedicated credit in the New Construction rating system "since furniture can have an effect on indoor environmental quality, projects that include furniture in the scope of work are eligible to apply for an innovation credit based on LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI) IEQ credit 4.5, Low-Emitting Materials - Furniture." For project teams pursuing this credit as an ID strategy, the cost of the furniture is not required to me included in the total materials cost in Materials and Resources credits 3,4,5,6, or 7. The intention of this ID strategy is to easily reference a set of rigorous Indoor Environmental Quality requirements relating to furniture. While it is not required to include furniture in Materials and Resources credits project teams are encouraged to look for sustainable criteria synergies when purchasing furniture.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
10/1/2013
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

We are looking for clarification for credit requirements regarding documentation to support a certified wood claim under MR credit 7: Certified Wood (MRc6 under CS). Specifically in two situations when CoC claims cannot be passed on the final invoice to the project team. In the first scenario a furniture vendor is the final installer but the cost on the invoice from the manufacturer holding the CoC does not reflect the final cost of the product (minus installation cost). In this case ins the invoice from the manufacturer sufficient, or is the history of the raw material required? In the second scenario architectural millwork is custom made and installed by a millwork company that is CoC certified, but invoices for the entire contract total, not itemized FSC items. Per guidance published in April 2008 aggregated wood totals are allowed, however, what about situations where the entire contract package is not iligible to be invoices with FSC claim? Please define for this project and as precedent how to document MR credit 7: Certified Wood.

Ruling:

This ruling addresses two separate documentation paths for MR credit 7: Certified Wood.
The project team is asking which invoices are required to be submitted as documentation for the Certified Wood credit. The invoice required for documentation of MRc7 is the invoice for wood products sold to the project contractors or subcontractors who do not modify the product off-site are required to be submitted. Invoices from farther up the supply chain (documenting the history of the product) do not need to be provided. In the case of a furniture dealer that purchases furniture and installs it on-site and does not have a COC certification, they may provide their invoice to the end user along with a letter from the furniture manufacturer which states the manufacturer COC number and the FSC label (FSC pure, FSC Mixed Credit, FSC Mixed NN%) for each piece of furniture.
The project team is inquiring if the aggregated totals for new wood material costs as defined in the April 2008 wood documentation guidance must be in an invoice from the installer, or if the cost amounts may be submitted separate from an invoice. Yes, documentation of aggregated FSC and non-FSC certified wood may be aggregated and submitted via separate documentation if the following requirements are met:
An alternative documentation process is available for architectural woodworkers (manufacturers of millwork, casework, and furniture) who supply custom wood products to the project. The purpose of this alternative process is to allow FSC-certified materials used in a custom millwork, casework, or furniture package to contribute toward the credit even if the entire package is not eligible to be invoiced with a FSC claim. Documentation for this alternative process must meet all of the following requirements:
- The woodworker (whether an individual or a company) must be FSC CoC certified, and the CoC certificate number must appear on the project invoice.
- The woodworker must install the custom millwork, casework, or furniture.
- The woodworker’s invoice must isolate product costs from installation costs.
- The woodworker must provide a document, separate from the project invoice, detailing FSC-certified wood materials used and total cost of wood materials used. (The woodworker does not need to provide itemized material cost calculations but must maintain calculation records for auditing purposes by the FSC certifying body.)
- The contract cost may include assembly labor but must exclude on-site labor (see MR Overview, Determining Product Cost).
The project team should complete a spreadsheet itemizing wood components by cost and identifying FSC-certified and noncertified components to determine overall contributions to the credit, to be entered into the MR calculator. Calculate the FSC-certified contribution value toward the credit by multiplying the percentage of FSC-certified wood by the overall value of the contract. Calculate the percentage of FSC-certified wood by dividing the cost of FSC-certified wood by the total cost of the wood. Submit the FSC-certified contribution value as well as the total contract amount. Include the woodworker’s CoC certificate number, invoice, and itemized costs.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
4/22/2009
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

We are seeking clarification on MR 7 as related to the use of FSC bamboo plywood and FSC bamboo flooring products. Similar to hardwoods, bamboo forests are most sustainable when only 20 percent of the bamboo is harvested in any given year, leaving the forest canopy uncompromised and the ecosystem intact. Poorly managed bamboo forests have detrimental effects on the local economy and the environment. With demand increasing for this natural resource, FSC certification of bamboo sources ensures proper harvesting to protect the local economy and the environment. Smith & Fong's bamboo resource was certified by the European FSC-certifier Institut für Marktökologie (IMO), who evaluated the company's forestry practices and determined that Smith & Fong met the same FSC standards as tree forests. IMO also certified Smith & Fong's Chinese bamboo plywood and flooring plant. Domestically, SmartWood provided chain-of-custody (COC) certification for Smith & Fong's North American operations, enabling the company's FSC-certified products to be designated FSC Pure, as they are 100-percent FSC material from an FSC-certified forest and have been sold and/or processed by an FSC chain-of-custody certified company. Smith & Fong's COC numbers are as follows: Bamboo forest: IMO-FM/COC-027679 Bamboo plywood and flooring plant: IMO-COC-027681 North American operations: SW-COC-003124 Will bamboo that has the appropriate FSC and CoC documentation qualify for MR 7? Can bamboo that has the appropriate FSC and CoC documentation qualify for MR7 and MR6 in the same project?

Ruling:

The project team is seeking clarification as to whether or not bamboo can be considered a compliant material under the guidelines set forth in MRc7. The bamboo products in question have been harvested and sourced by companies that possess the necessary and current certifications from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). This proposal is consistent with the credit intent to, “Encourage environmentally responsible forest management”. In addition, bamboo is often used in many of the same applications as wood products, and is considered by the FSC to be a forest product despite its technical classification as a grass. Therefore, bamboo may be included in the calculations for both MRc6 and MRc7. If bamboo is added to the MRc7 calculations, all bamboo on the project (FSC or otherwise) must be accounted for in the value for all new wood-based components for the project. Applicable Internationally.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
5/9/2011
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

Are pews in a church classified as furniture if they are not permanently installed and therefore do not need to be included in credit calculations?

Ruling:

The pews can be excluded from the calculations. The inclusion of wood costs for MRc7 calculations only include permanently installed materials. Furnishings (Division 12) are not required to be included in this if excluded from all other materials costs calculations. Applicable internationally.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
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Credit achievement rate

XX%

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LEEDuser expert

Terry Campbell

Sustainable NW Wood
Sales & Marketing Director

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© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

Use a minimum of 50% (based on cost) of wood-based materials and products that are certified in accordance with the Forest Stewardship Council’s principles and criteria, for wood building components. These components include at a minimum, structural framing and general dimensional framing, flooring, sub-flooring, wood doors and finishes.Include only materials permanently installed in the project. Wood products purchased for temporary use on the project (e.g., formwork, bracing, scaffolding, sidewalk protection, and guard rails) may be included in the calculation at the project team’s discretion. If any such materials are included, all such materials must be included in the calculation. If such materials are purchased for use on multiple projects, the applicant may include these materials for only one project, at its discretion. Furniture may be included if it is included consistently in MR Credits 3. Materials Reuse, through MR Credit 7: Certified Wood.

Pilot Alternative Compliance Path Available

The following pilot alternative compliance paths is available for this credit. See the pilot credit library for more information. MRpc102 - Legal Wood

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I have supporting manufacturer documentation for the FSC wood used on our project. Is this enough to document this credit, or do I need invoices as well?

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Can products labeled “FSC Recycled” or “FSC Recycled Credit” contribute towards MRc7? What about "FSC Mix" percentages that refer to recycled content?

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Does FSC-certified wood automatically contribute to IEQc4.4 as a low-emitting material?

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We are using a lot of reclaimed wood. Should we include this in our MRc7 calculations? What about wood that is already installed on the project, in a renovation? What about wood products with recycled content?

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Does FSC-certified bamboo products count towards this credit?

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A product has FSC-certified veneer, but a non-certified core. Can we prorate the MRc7 contribution of this product based on the cost of the veneer?

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Should wood used on site features such as benches or a gazebo be included here?

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Is there a minimum quantity of wood that must be used on the project to qualify for this credit?

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We are pursuing IEQc4.5 from LEED-CI as an ID credit. Are we then required to include the cost of furniture in MRc3–7?

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What building components are typically purchased with FSC content to earn this credit?

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We’re having trouble getting FSC wood within our budget. Can we use products with another forestry certification?

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Do I need to provide invoices for all of the new wood products purchased for the project, or just FSC wood products?

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10/1/2012Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
Replace the definition of "chain-of-custody (COC)" with "the path taken by raw materials, processed materials, and products from the forest to the consumer, including all successive stages of processing, transformation, manufacturing and distribution. A chain-of-custody certificate number on invoices for nonlabeled products indicates that the certifier's guidelines for product accounting have been followed. A chain-of-custody certification is not required by distributors of a product that is individually labeled with the Forest Stewardship Council logo and manufacturer's chain-of-custody number. Chain of Custody (CoC) certification requirements are determined by Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody Standard 40-004 v2-1."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
7/19/2010Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
At the end of the first paragraph, insert the following text:Entities that install an FSC-certified product on the projectbuilding/site (typically project contractors or subcontractors, butalso furniture installers and the like), do not require CoCcertification as long as they do not modify the product\'s packagingor form except as is required for installation. Contractors and subcontractorsthat temporarily possess FSC-certified material prior toinstallation should be careful not mix or contaminate the FSCcertifiedmaterial with non-FSC-certified material.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/19/2010Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Replace the first paragraph with the following:List all new wood products (not reclaimed, salvaged, or recycled)on the project and identify which components are FSC certified.The cost of all new wood products, both FSC certified and not,must be tallied. Develop a spreadsheet to calculate the amount ofnew wood and the amount of FSC certified wood permanentlyinstalled on the project. Wood products that are not FSC certifiedand those that are identified on invoices as FSC Pure and FSCMixed Credit should be valued at 100% of the product cost unlessthe product is an assembly in which case only the new woodportion of the product counts for credit, see the guidance forassemblies in this credit. Wood products identified as FSC Mixed(NN)% should be valued at the indicated percentage of their cost,for example, a product identified as FSC Mixed 75% should bevalued at 75% of the cost. FSC does not allow partial claims ofcertified products, wood products with non-controlled woodcomponents will not earn FSC certification. The entire product mustbe FSC-certified, Pure, Mixed (NN)%, or Mixed Credit to contributetowards the credit threshold for MR Credit 7. For example, aproduct that includes multiple wood components, like a door, theentire product must be FSC certified. The door cannot be labeled,or claim, that only the door core is FSC certified.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
8/1/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
*This is an update to addenda ID # 100000384 originally posted July 19, 2010* In the first sentence of the first paragraph replace, "such as windows and furniture systems that combine wood and nonwood materials" with "such as windows, doors, and some furniture that combine multiple material types, only the new wood portion can be applied toward the credit."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/19/2010Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
*This issue has been updated in addenda ID # 100001000 on August 1, 2011* In the first paragraph, replace the second sentence with "To determine the value of the wood component(s), calculate the amount of new wood as a percentage of the total weight or volume and the amount of FSC-certified wood as a percentage of the total weight or volume."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
11/2/2009Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
In fifth line of the paragraph, insert spaces between the words of the text so it becomes "...perspective, the elements of responsible FSC-certified forestry include sustainable timber harvesting..."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
5/9/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Note the following addenda under \'Calculating Materials Costs to Achieve MR Credits\' on page 337:Add the following after "...Furniture and Furnishings as long as this is done consistently across all MR credits.", "Exclude artwork, interior plants, and musical instruments."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
8/28/2007
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

LEED-NC version 2.2 Rating System, MR Credit 7, Certified Wood, page 58 states: "Use a minimum of 50% of wood-based materials and products, which are certified in accordance with the Forest Stewardship Council\'s (FSC) Principles and Criteria, for wood building components. These components include, but are not limited to, structural framing and general dimensional framing, flooring, sub-flooring, wood doors and finishes. --Only include materials permanently installed in the project." Is this regulation that narrows LEED credit achievement to permanently installed wood materials subject to any errata sheets, administrative rulings, interpretations, etc. that allow non-permanently installed wood materials to be included in the calculations of FSC certified wood for this credit? Also, assuming that the 50% required for credit achievement is met, please clarify 1. whether this point can be earned by including temporary wood products in the calculation of FSC certified wood products (in addition to the permanently installed wood products), and 2. whether this point can also be earned with achievement among the temporary wood products alone (without any FSC certified wood among the permanently installed wood products but by including the non-FSC-certified permanently installed wood products in the base amounts of wood products).

Ruling:

The inquiry is seeking clarification on whether temporary wood products may be included in the MRc7 calculation, and if so, whether the entire 50% of wood materials for the credit may be met by the temporary wood products. Per the LEED-NC v2.2 Reference Guide, First Edition October 2005, Errata Sheet posted November 17, 2005, as well as the LEED-NC v2.2 Reference Guide, Second Edition September 2006, "wood products purchased for temporary use on the project (e.g. formwork, bracing, scaffolding, sidewalk protection, and guardrails) may be included in the calculation at the project team\'s discretion. If any such materials are included, all such materials must be included in the calculation. If such materials are purchased for use on multiple projects, the applicant may include these materials for only one project, at its discretion." This credit is achievable through the temporary wood products alone, as long as all permanent wood products are also included in the wood total. Applicable Internationally.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
4/2/2014
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

Please provide clarification on documentation of recycled content claims and FSC certified claims for woods products such as particleboard, MDF and other composites.

Ruling:

The project team in inquiring how to document products with valid recycled content claims as well as FSC certification. Products identified as FSC Mix Credit or FSC Mix [NN] % also have pre- or post-consumer recycled content, the latter of which is commonly reported separately by the product manufacturer. In these instances the project team must choose whether to classify the product (or some fraction of the assembly) as FSC certified or as recycled content; the material cannot contribute to both claims simultaneously. Specifically claims may be made under either MRc4: Recycled Content, or MRc7: Certified Wood. Note that for recycled content claims the material must meet the definition of ISO 14021 as required by LEED.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
4/1/2012
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

When a LEED NC project attempts LEED CI Indoor Environmental Quality credit 4.5: Low Emitting Materials - Systems Furniture and Seating as an Innovation in Design strategy, are they required to include the furniture costs in Materials and Resources credits 3 thru 7?

Ruling:

No, LEED NC projects are not required to include furniture in their calculations for MR credit 3-7 if using low emitting furniture for an ID strategy. LEED Interpretation #3901 states that although furniture does not have a dedicated credit in the New Construction rating system "since furniture can have an effect on indoor environmental quality, projects that include furniture in the scope of work are eligible to apply for an innovation credit based on LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI) IEQ credit 4.5, Low-Emitting Materials - Furniture." For project teams pursuing this credit as an ID strategy, the cost of the furniture is not required to me included in the total materials cost in Materials and Resources credits 3,4,5,6, or 7. The intention of this ID strategy is to easily reference a set of rigorous Indoor Environmental Quality requirements relating to furniture. While it is not required to include furniture in Materials and Resources credits project teams are encouraged to look for sustainable criteria synergies when purchasing furniture.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
10/1/2013
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

We are looking for clarification for credit requirements regarding documentation to support a certified wood claim under MR credit 7: Certified Wood (MRc6 under CS). Specifically in two situations when CoC claims cannot be passed on the final invoice to the project team. In the first scenario a furniture vendor is the final installer but the cost on the invoice from the manufacturer holding the CoC does not reflect the final cost of the product (minus installation cost). In this case ins the invoice from the manufacturer sufficient, or is the history of the raw material required? In the second scenario architectural millwork is custom made and installed by a millwork company that is CoC certified, but invoices for the entire contract total, not itemized FSC items. Per guidance published in April 2008 aggregated wood totals are allowed, however, what about situations where the entire contract package is not iligible to be invoices with FSC claim? Please define for this project and as precedent how to document MR credit 7: Certified Wood.

Ruling:

This ruling addresses two separate documentation paths for MR credit 7: Certified Wood.
The project team is asking which invoices are required to be submitted as documentation for the Certified Wood credit. The invoice required for documentation of MRc7 is the invoice for wood products sold to the project contractors or subcontractors who do not modify the product off-site are required to be submitted. Invoices from farther up the supply chain (documenting the history of the product) do not need to be provided. In the case of a furniture dealer that purchases furniture and installs it on-site and does not have a COC certification, they may provide their invoice to the end user along with a letter from the furniture manufacturer which states the manufacturer COC number and the FSC label (FSC pure, FSC Mixed Credit, FSC Mixed NN%) for each piece of furniture.
The project team is inquiring if the aggregated totals for new wood material costs as defined in the April 2008 wood documentation guidance must be in an invoice from the installer, or if the cost amounts may be submitted separate from an invoice. Yes, documentation of aggregated FSC and non-FSC certified wood may be aggregated and submitted via separate documentation if the following requirements are met:
An alternative documentation process is available for architectural woodworkers (manufacturers of millwork, casework, and furniture) who supply custom wood products to the project. The purpose of this alternative process is to allow FSC-certified materials used in a custom millwork, casework, or furniture package to contribute toward the credit even if the entire package is not eligible to be invoiced with a FSC claim. Documentation for this alternative process must meet all of the following requirements:
- The woodworker (whether an individual or a company) must be FSC CoC certified, and the CoC certificate number must appear on the project invoice.
- The woodworker must install the custom millwork, casework, or furniture.
- The woodworker’s invoice must isolate product costs from installation costs.
- The woodworker must provide a document, separate from the project invoice, detailing FSC-certified wood materials used and total cost of wood materials used. (The woodworker does not need to provide itemized material cost calculations but must maintain calculation records for auditing purposes by the FSC certifying body.)
- The contract cost may include assembly labor but must exclude on-site labor (see MR Overview, Determining Product Cost).
The project team should complete a spreadsheet itemizing wood components by cost and identifying FSC-certified and noncertified components to determine overall contributions to the credit, to be entered into the MR calculator. Calculate the FSC-certified contribution value toward the credit by multiplying the percentage of FSC-certified wood by the overall value of the contract. Calculate the percentage of FSC-certified wood by dividing the cost of FSC-certified wood by the total cost of the wood. Submit the FSC-certified contribution value as well as the total contract amount. Include the woodworker’s CoC certificate number, invoice, and itemized costs.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
4/22/2009
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

We are seeking clarification on MR 7 as related to the use of FSC bamboo plywood and FSC bamboo flooring products. Similar to hardwoods, bamboo forests are most sustainable when only 20 percent of the bamboo is harvested in any given year, leaving the forest canopy uncompromised and the ecosystem intact. Poorly managed bamboo forests have detrimental effects on the local economy and the environment. With demand increasing for this natural resource, FSC certification of bamboo sources ensures proper harvesting to protect the local economy and the environment. Smith & Fong's bamboo resource was certified by the European FSC-certifier Institut für Marktökologie (IMO), who evaluated the company's forestry practices and determined that Smith & Fong met the same FSC standards as tree forests. IMO also certified Smith & Fong's Chinese bamboo plywood and flooring plant. Domestically, SmartWood provided chain-of-custody (COC) certification for Smith & Fong's North American operations, enabling the company's FSC-certified products to be designated FSC Pure, as they are 100-percent FSC material from an FSC-certified forest and have been sold and/or processed by an FSC chain-of-custody certified company. Smith & Fong's COC numbers are as follows: Bamboo forest: IMO-FM/COC-027679 Bamboo plywood and flooring plant: IMO-COC-027681 North American operations: SW-COC-003124 Will bamboo that has the appropriate FSC and CoC documentation qualify for MR 7? Can bamboo that has the appropriate FSC and CoC documentation qualify for MR7 and MR6 in the same project?

Ruling:

The project team is seeking clarification as to whether or not bamboo can be considered a compliant material under the guidelines set forth in MRc7. The bamboo products in question have been harvested and sourced by companies that possess the necessary and current certifications from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). This proposal is consistent with the credit intent to, “Encourage environmentally responsible forest management”. In addition, bamboo is often used in many of the same applications as wood products, and is considered by the FSC to be a forest product despite its technical classification as a grass. Therefore, bamboo may be included in the calculations for both MRc6 and MRc7. If bamboo is added to the MRc7 calculations, all bamboo on the project (FSC or otherwise) must be accounted for in the value for all new wood-based components for the project. Applicable Internationally.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
5/9/2011
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

Are pews in a church classified as furniture if they are not permanently installed and therefore do not need to be included in credit calculations?

Ruling:

The pews can be excluded from the calculations. The inclusion of wood costs for MRc7 calculations only include permanently installed materials. Furnishings (Division 12) are not required to be included in this if excluded from all other materials costs calculations. Applicable internationally.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes

LEEDuser expert

Terry Campbell

Sustainable NW Wood
Sales & Marketing Director

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