In some of our current EB:O&M projects we have considered pursuing the MRc1 and MRc3 purchasing credits, claiming credit for FSC certified materials.
How do we document compliance for these purchases? In the LEED Online form, it requests that "Documentation from Product Manufacturer's or Suppliers Verifying Product Compliance with the Specified Sustainability Criteria" should be uploaded. In many instances (when construction materials are purchased by the local contractor, for example) the "supplier" is not entirely familiar with the FSC certification or the need to document these purchases.
For FSC certified products, there are a variety of routes we could take:
- Cutsheet calling out material as FSC
- Manufacturer's FSC Chain of Custody Certificate
- Product Specific FSC Certificate (Does this exist?)
- Invoice for products purchased, indicating FSC # (is this the COC or is there a different FSC # specific to each product?)
- Photo evidence of FSC labeling on packaging for purchased products with receipt of purchase
Has anyone had success achieving these FSC credits and what proof of compliance did you provide for review?
Judy Landwehr
Manager, Sustainability and Technical MarketingMasonite Architectural
65 thumbs up
August 23, 2012 - 9:58 am
I can answer a few of your questions as it relates to FSC certification and labeling of products.
• FSC does not allow certified companies to note FSC claim percentages on any documents that are considered marketing materials. Technical sheets are allowed to note such information.
• A FSC COC Certificate is issued to a company that is certified to sell FSC materials. A certificate does not validate a specific product. A FSC COC certificate validates that the company is authorized to sell products with a FSC claim.
• Product specific FSC certificates issued by FSC do not exist.
• Manufacturers selling products with a FSC claim are required to note the FSC claim and their FSC COC certificate number on all invoices and shipping documents. Each FSC certificate holder is also issued a FSC License Code. The FSC License Code is not used with FSC claims on products.
• FSC does not require products to be labeled. Labeling of FSC products is optional and may/may not be offered by a manufacturer.
Simon Sue
SL+A INTERNATIONAL ASIA INC.411 thumbs up
August 24, 2012 - 2:28 am
Judy,
Thank you for your input. That is some of the information I had concluded from my product research.
Considering some of the points that you noted - when there is no *Product-Specific* certificate, and labeling of the FSC products is both optional and does not always include FSC claim percentages...
Will the reviewers question the validity of our FSC purchases?