We are procuring FSC wood from a vendor, who in turn is going to procure the FSC certified products from a European vendor. The European Vendor in question has a FSC CoC certification whereas the other ‘sourcing’ vendor does not. Further, the FSC certified product is to be provided to the Interiors Contractor. The Interior Contractor too does not have a FSC CoC certification. In addition, the FSC certified product (Wood, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, of a thickness exceeding, 6mm) needs to be modified to fashion door frames, window frames and shutters.
Given the following scenario:
1. The primary vendor has FSC CoC certification
2. The Secondary Vendor and Interiors Contractor do not have FSC CoC certification.
3. Additionally, the Interior Contractor has to modify the form of the FSC wood to fashion door frames, window frames and shutters.
4. Finally, project timelines do no allow time/money for arranging FSC CoC certification for Secondary Vendor or Interior Contractor.
What needs to be done to ensure MRc7 compliance? Further, is a FSC CoC certified Transport Agency required for the transport of material? Finally, can anybody, for the above mentioned usage, suggest a FSC certified products vendor fulfilling all the above mentioned requirements for a project based in Manesar (in Haryana, India)?
Refer to the under mentioned excerpts:
Source: http://www.fscus.org/green_building/leed_faq.php
Q: WHAT ARE THE CURRENT REQUIREMENTS FOR DOCUMENTING THE USE OF FSC-CERTIFIED WOOD IN LEED?
As of July 19th, 2010, the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) published several addenda relating to the MRc7 credit for FSC certified wood which can be found here. The addenda clarify two important issues relating to who needs to be FSC certified and partial claims:
Organizations that install an FSC-certified product or products on the project building/site (typically project contractors or subcontractors such as flooring installers or framing contractors, but also furniture installers and the like) do not require FSC CoC certification as long as they do not modify the product’s packaging or form except as is required for installation. All other organizations will need to be FSC CoC certified in order for the certified wood products they fabricate and install to count toward MRc7. This includes organizations like cabinetmakers and architectural millworkers that manufacture products off-site and then install them on-site (even if considered a subcontractor).
Q: MUST THE INSTALLING FABRICATOR OR CONTRACTOR HAVE AN FSC CoC CERTIFICATE IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH LEED's MRc7 CREDIT REQUIREMENTS?
Yes! Note this is a change of interpretation that is noted in the July 19th addenda issued by the USGBC.Previously the USGBC stated the installing fabricator or contractor did not have to hold a valid FSC CoC certificate to comply with LEED’s MRc7 credit although it was an added benefit. Now, the installing fabricator or contractor will need to be FSC CoC certified in order for their products to count towards the MRc7 credit if they modify the product’s packaging or form besides for what is required for installation.
Kevin Mortensen
Chief Sustainability Officer - LEED Green AssociateComplete Millwork Services
164 thumbs up
June 14, 2011 - 12:11 pm
Greetings Piyush,
What version of LEED are you working under?
When did you register your project?
Under the current requirements the secondary manufacturer and the interiors contractor would need FSC COC Certification. This is both a FSC requirement as well as a LEED requirement. It sounds like you are well aware of the requirements from your question.
There is a provision where you can get COC certified for a specific project. This would greatly reduce time and cost.
I would encourage you to contact a 3rd party certification body.
I would try Rainforest Alliance, http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/ and I believe that SCS http://www.scscertified.com/nrc/fsc_chain_of_custody.php has certification bodies in India.
RE: your question regarding shipping companies. - NO the shipping company does not need to be FSC COC Certified to ship the FSC materials. However the shipper document from the COC Certified Company must list the items being shipped on a line item basis (summarized by type with qty lisetd is fine) with the FSC claim, and their COC number for each item.
Piyush Varma
Green Building AnalystEDS Pvt Ltd
8 thumbs up
June 15, 2011 - 2:09 am
Thanks Kevin, I shall follow the line of action suggested.