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?
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.