Responsible Sourcing of Raw Materials... FSC Certification

I wouldn't sweat this too hard - I'll bet this gets changed before we're through, as FSC Pure accounts for a very small fraction of the FSC certified products available. No one has the data, but it is probably less than 1%.

Yes, the proposed change would, if incorporated into LEED 2012, rule out use of FSC Mixed.Jason Grant, I'm curious—you commented earlier that this draft lowers the bar for certified wood. USGBC is promoting this change, at least, as raising the bar. What's your take on it?

I commented that this draft lowers the bar for wood in general, offering numerous credits for barely legal wood through the new LCA-based credits as well as the new bio-based attribute. The irony is that while it does this, it simultaneously raises the bar on FSC. It does this by only allowing in FSC Pure, which does represent a tiny fraction of what's available from FSC-certified manufacturers, and also layering on a bunch of bureaucratic "disclosure" requirements. So you can run the olympic mile, use FSC Pure, and compile a phone book worth of submittals, or you can take a leisurely stroll in the park, use wood products that have EPDs (industry is rushing to produce these), or you can simply use wood that is "legal." And for the former, you earn a single point, and for the latter you can earn up to five. Who is writing this stuff?

Tristan Roberts, you commented that, "Yes, the proposed change would, if incorporated into LEED 2012, rule out use of FSC Mixed." My question is around products that are manufactured from wood sub-assemblies, like wood doors for example. Would FSC Pure rule out the use of FSC Mixed in the component sub-assemblies or the entire door as an assembly? If the entire door assembly needs to be FSC Pure going forward, this credit will be very difficult, and expensive for the industry. Your thoughts?

Aaron, I understand that the same would hold true for assemblies and non-assemblies.USGBC's intention is to raise the bar, but I agree it may not work as intended.