The subject pretty much says it all: is PEFC considered an equivalent to FSC by the USGBC? We have a project with a lot of wood from Europe that is PEFC certified. I'm guessing that yes, it would be considered equivalent since FSC and PEFC are the two biggest forestry certification bodies in the world, but surprisingly, I didn't find anything in the guide or on LEEDuser indicating such (but maybe I'm missing something).

Anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Jake - GHT Sustainable Programs Manager

Post a reply

Trista Brown

Project Director

WSP USA

LEEDuser Basic Member

381 thumbs up

Wed, 04/25/2018 - 23:08

Hi Jake, it looks like PEFC is allowed under the Pilot Alternative Compliance Path, MRpc102 - Legal Wood. You can read the pilot credit language here: www.usgbc.org/node/10146342. These articles further explain the ACP as well as the history of certified wood in the LEED program: www.greenbuildingproducts.eu/pefc-certificate-applicable-as-evidence-in-the-leed-system-under-the-pilot-acp-legal-wood/?lang=en and www.greenbuildinglawupdate.com/2016/04/articles/leed/what-the-leed-pilot-for-wood-is-and-what-it-is-not/. I don't believe PEFC is considered an approved alternative to FSC under the standard credit compliance pathways.

Jareb Ketay

Principal

GHT Limited

LEEDuser Premium Member

3 thumbs up

Thu, 04/26/2018 - 14:09

Thanks very much Trista, very helpful! I will look into the ACP for Legal Wood a little further. Looks like we're in business though. Thanks again!

Nadav Malin

CEO

Green Commons, LLC

LEEDuser Expert

586 thumbs up

Thu, 04/26/2018 - 19:37

Hi--LEEDuser's sister website, BuildingGreen.com, has also covered this topic pretty extensively. The general consensus is that PEFC is not as stringent as FSC, but under that Legal Wood pilot credit it's being treating as pretty much equivalent. https://www.buildinggreen.com/news-analysis/leed-pilots-legal-wood-expansion-certified-wood

Jason Grant

Principal

Jason Grant Consulting

LEEDuser Expert

115 thumbs up

Thu, 04/26/2018 - 23:17

The general consensus among environmental groups is not just that PECF (including its N. American affiliate, SFI) is less stringent than FSC - it's that the so-called Legal Wood pilot credit had very little to do with illegal wood and everything to do with trying to get Big Timber off of USGBC's back after more than a decade of lobbying hardball. https://content.sierraclub.org/ourwildamerica/defend-high-standards-wood-leed-campaign

Christopher Drew

Director of Sustainability

Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture

LEEDuser Basic Member

2 thumbs up

Fri, 04/27/2018 - 20:54

Lets face it, if USGBC really wanted to tackle sustainable sourcing of timber they would include temporary wood too. Guaranteed that on any large scale commercial project, in particular high-rise projects, the amount of timber used in the construction process (plywood and lumber) far outweighs the amount permanently installed in the building. For this reason we specify that all formwork should be FSC certified.

Add new comment

To post a comment, you need to register for a LEEDuser Basic membership (free) or login to your existing profile.

You are currently logged in under an enterprise account

FAQs about MRc3 :

Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) - recognized equivalent to FSC?

You rely on LEEDuser. Can we rely on you?

Add new comment