Can this prerequisite be satisfied by using an FSC Pure tropical wood product for only 70% of a component, and a non-FSC certified tropical wood product for the other 30%? Is this the same as using an FSC Mixed 70% tropical wood product for all of the component?
No - if any tropical wood is used in the home that is not FSC certified, the prerequisite is not met. The difference between the two scenarios presented is this:
• If a product is labeled as FSC Mixed 70%, the FSC rules require that the portion of the wood that does not meet the full FSC criteria (30% here) must still meet a minimum set of standards that LEED for Homes considers preferable.
• In contrast, if a builder uses FSC Pure materials for 70% of a component and tropical non-FSC certified wood products for the remaining 30%, this latter material may not meet a minimum set of standards. In other words, the non-FSC certified wood may come from poor forestry practices.
Updated 10/1/13 for rating system applicability.