Green Building Standards that Reference Responsible Source Wood Products

Background:

LEED v4.1 – design and construction of full buildings focuses on accessibility, the most current product standards and real-world project experiences. Projects are classified into:

• New Construction and Major Renovation. New construction or major renovation of buildings that do not primarily serve residential, K–12 educational, retail, data centers, warehouses and distribution centers, hospitality or health care uses.
• Core and Shell Development. Buildings that are new construction or major renovation for the exterior shell and core mechanical, electrical, and plumbing units, but not a complete interior fit-out. LEED BD+C: Core and Shell is the appropriate rating system to use if more than 40% of the gross floor area is incomplete at the time of certification.
• Schools. Buildings made up of core and ancillary learning spaces on K–12 school grounds. LEED BD+C: Schools may be used for higher education and nonacademic buildings on school campuses.
• Retail. Buildings used to conduct the retail sale of consumer product goods. Includes both direct customer service areas (showroom) and preparation or storage areas that support customer service.
• Data Centers. Buildings specifically designed and equipped to meet the needs of high-density computing equipment such as server racks, used for data storage and processing. LEED BD+C: Data Centers only addresses whole-building data centers (greater than 60%).
• Warehouses and Distribution Centers. Buildings used to store goods, manufactured products, merchandise, raw materials or personal belongings, such as self-storage.
• Hospitality. Buildings dedicated to hotels, motels, inns or other businesses within the service industry that provide transitional or short-term lodging, with or without food.
• Healthcare. Hospitals that operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provide inpatient medical treatment, including acute and long-term care.

In the Material & Resources section of LEED v4.1, there is a section on building project disclosure and optimization – sourcing of raw materials. The section currently requires that wood products must be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council or USGBC-approved equivalent. However, USGBC has offered an alternative compliance path to LEED v4.1 Building product disclosure and optimization: sourcing of raw materials – Option 2 (1-2 points).

Responsible Sourcing of Raw Materials (1-2 points)

Use products sourced from at least three different manufacturers that meet at least one of the responsible sourcing and extraction criteria below for at least 20%, by cost, of the total value of permanently installed building products in the project (1 point).

Use products sourced from at least five different manufacturers that meet at least one of the responsible sourcing and extraction criteria below for at least 40%, by cost, of the total value of permanently installed building products in the project (2 points).

• Extended producer responsibility. Products purchased from a manufacturer (producer) that participates in an extended producer responsibility program or is directly responsible for extended producer responsibility. Products meeting extended producer responsibility criteria are valued at 50% of their cost for the purposes of credit achievement calculation.
• Bio-based materials. Bio-based raw materials other than wood must be tested using ASTM Test Method D6866 and be legally harvested, as defined by the exporting and receiving country. Exclude hide products, such as leather and other animal skin material.
• Bio-based products that meet the criteria above: value at 50% of cost multiplied by the biobased content of the product for the purposes of credit achievement calculation.
• Bio-based products that meet the Sustainable Agriculture Network’s Sustainable Agriculture Standard: value at 100% of cost multiplied by the biobased content of the product for the purposes of credit achievement calculation.
• Wood products. Wood products must be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council or USGBC-approved equivalent. Products meeting wood products criteria are valued at 100% of their cost for the purposes of credit achievement calculation.
• Materials reuse. Reuse includes salvaged, refurbished, or reused products. Products meeting materials reuse criteria are valued at 200% of their cost for the purposes of credit achievement calculation.
• Recycled content. Products meeting recycled content criteria are valued at 100% of their cost for the purposes of credit achievement calculation.
• Recycled content is the sum of postconsumer recycled content plus one-half the preconsumer recycled content, based on weight.
• The recycled fraction of the assembly is then multiplied by the cost of assembly to determine the recycled content value.

Pilot Alternative Compliance Path – Legal Wood

• Wood products from Certified Sources as defined by ASTM D7612-10 are valued at 100% of their cost for purposes of credit achievement calculation if the following two conditions are also met:
  • 100% of all wood is verified to be from Legal (non-controversial) Sources as defined by ASTM D7612-10. These components include at a minimum, structural framing and general dimensional framing, flooring, sub-flooring, wood doors and finishes.
  • 70% (based on cost) of all wood used on the project is from Responsible Sources as defined by ASTM D7612-10. These components include at a minimum, structural framing and general dimensional framing, flooring, sub-flooring, wood doors and finishes.

USGBC approved program. Other USGBC approved programs meeting responsible sourcing and extraction criteria.

For credit achievement calculation, products sourced (extracted, manufactured, purchased) within 100 miles (160 km) of the project site are valued at twice their base contributing cost (or number of products), up to a maximum of 200% of cost, or 2 products.

More Information on Calculating LEED Points

Background:

The National Green Building Standard applies to the design, construction, alteration, enlargement, and renovation of (1) all residential buildings, (2) residential portions of mixed-use buildings, or (3) mixed-use buildings where the residential portion is greater than 50 percent of the gross floor area.

The purpose of the standard is to establish criteria for rating the environmental impact of design and construction practices to achieve conformance with specified performance levels for green residential buildings, renovation, accessory structures, building sites, and subdivisions.

The text which reference Responsible Source wood products is in the following two sections:

Resource Efficiency Chapter:

606.2 Wood-based products. Wood or wood-based products are certified to the requirements of one of the following:

• American Forest Foundation’s American Tree Farm System® (ATFS)
• Canadian Standards Association’s Sustainable Forest Management System Standards (CSA Z809)
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
• Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification Systems (PEFC)
• Sustainable Forestry Initiative Program (SFI)
• National Wood Flooring Association’s Responsible Procurement Program (RPP)
• other product programs mutually recognized by PEFC
• A manufacturer’s’ fiber procurement system that has been audited by an approved agency as compliant with the provisions of ASTM D7612 as a responsible or certified source. Government or tribal forestlands whose water protection programs have been evaluated by an approved agency as compliant with the responsible source designation of ASTM D7612 are exempt from auditing in the manufacturers’ fiber procurement system.

Remodeling Chapter:

11.606.2 Wood-based products. Wood or wood-based products are certified to the requirements of one of the following:

• American Forest Foundation’s American Tree Farm System® (ATFS)
• Canadian Standards Association’s Sustainable Forest Management System Standards (CSA Z809)
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
• Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification Systems (PEFC)
• Sustainable Forestry Initiative Program (SFI)
• National Wood Flooring Association’s Responsible Procurement Program (RPP)
• Other product programs mutually recognized by PEFC
• A manufacturer’s’ fiber procurement system that has been audited by an approved agency as compliant with the provisions of ASTM D7612 as a responsible or certified source. Government or tribal forestlands whose water protection programs have been evaluated by an approved agency as compliant with the responsible source designation of ASTM D7612 are exempt from auditing in the manufacturers’ fiber procurement system.

The International Green Construction Code (IgCC) applies to the design, construction, addition, alteration, change of occupancy, relocation, replacement, repair, equipment, building site, maintenance, removal and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures and to the site on which the building is located. Occupancy classifications are determined in accordance with the International Building Code.

Chapter 5 specifies Material Resource Conservation and Efficiency, specifically by means of provisions related to material selection, recycling, reuse, renewability, toxicity and durability, including resistance to damage caused by moisture.

The text within the IgCC that identifies Responsible Source wood is as follows:

505.2.4 Bio-based materials. Bio-based materials shall be those materials that comply with one or more of the following:

1. The bio-based content is not less than 75 percent as determined by testing in accordance with ASTM D6866.
2. Wood and wood products used to comply with this section, other than salvaged or reused wood products, shall be labeled in accordance with the SFI Standard, FSC STD-40-004 V2-1 EN, PEFC Council Technical Document or equivalent fiber procurement system. As an alternative to an on-product label, a Certificate of Compliance indicating compliance with the fiber procurement system shall be permitted. Manufacturer’s fiber procurement systems shall be audited by an accredited third-party.
3. The requirements of USDA 7CFR Part 2902.

Section 2 defines fiber procurement system as:

FIBER PROCUREMENT SYSTEM. A system that ensures that fiber procured for the manufacture of wood and wood-based products comes from responsible or certified sources in accordance with ASTM D7612.

❖ This definition is used in association with the bio-based material requirements of Section 505.2.4, Item 2. The fiber procurement systems referenced in this item are intended to ensure that wood products are procured from sustainably managed forests.

The IgCC commentary states:

The language in Section 505.2.4 provides for third- party auditing of the producer’s compliance to a specific sustainable fiber procurement system to offer a “certificate of compliance” to the code official in place of an on-product label. Such a certificate must identify the program, how that program complies with Item 2 to Section 505.2.4, and how the individual pieces or products are identified. A certificate may only be issued for products that are eligible for labeling under one of the mandated certification systems. It is important to note that certificates cannot be issued by an agency not eligible to affirm conformance to the sustainability standard under which the wood or wood product was produced.

Methods currently employed by the third-party agency may continue to be employed for the certificate. For example, tracking of wood may consist of marks applied to the product by the agency and described in the certificate. Or, the agency may rely on bills of lading and actual receipts that document specific wood or wood products through the supply chain. Regardless of the method used, it must identify specific pieces of wood or specific wood products and certify that they meet the requirements of the certification program by which the producer certifies its product and that they meet the level of the program necessary to be eligible for labeling. The certificate of compliance requires that the producer meet all of the program requirements and that the wood be eligible for labeling in terms of the program but does not actually require an on-product label.

Background:

The 2014 Farm Bill directs USDA to “promote bio-based products, including forest products that apply an innovative approach to growing, harvesting, sourcing, procuring, processing, manufacturing, or application of bio-based products regardless of the date of entry into the marketplace.” Thus, products previously considered to be mature market products are now included in the program if manufacturers demonstrate that they apply an “innovative approach” during the life cycle of their product.

The text of rules which designate product categories that reference Responsible Source wood materials is as follows:

In the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations e-CFR data is current as of October 17, 2019

Title 7 → Subtitle B → Chapter XXXII → Part 3201

3201.5   Category designation

Considerations.

1. In designating product categories and intermediate ingredient or feedstock categories, USDA will consider the availability of qualified bio-based products and the economic and technological feasibility of using such products, including price. USDA will gather information on individual qualified bio-based products within a category and extrapolate that information to the category level for consideration in designating categories.
2. In designating product categories and intermediate ingredient or feedstock categories for the BioPreferred Program, USDA will consider as eligible only those products that use innovative approaches in the growing, harvesting, sourcing, procuring, processing, manufacturing, or application of the bio-based product. USDA will consider products that meet one or more of the criteria in paragraphs (i) through (iv) of this section to be eligible for the BioPreferred Program. USDA will also consider other documentation of innovative approaches in the growing, harvesting, sourcing, procuring, processing, manufacturing, or application of bio-based products on a case-by-case basis. USDA may exclude from the BioPreferred Program any products whose manufacturers are unable to provide USDA with the documentation necessary to verify claims that innovative approaches are used in the growing, harvesting, sourcing, procuring, processing, manufacturing, or application of their bio-based products.
   (i) Product applications.
   • The bio-based product or material is used or applied in applications that differ from historical applications; or
   • The bio-based product or material is grown, harvested, manufactured, processed, sourced, or applied in other innovative ways; or
   • The bio-based content of the product or material makes its composition different from products or material used for the same historical uses or applications.

   (ii) Manufacturing and processing.

   • The bio-based product or material is manufactured or processed using renewable, biomass energy or using technology that is demonstrated to increase energy efficiency or reduce reliance on fossil-fuel based energy sources; or
   • The bio-based product or material is manufactured or processed with technologies that ensure high feedstock material recovery and use.

   (iii) Environmental Product Declaration. The product has a current Environmental Product Declaration as defined by International Standard ISO 14025, Environmental Labels and Declarations—Type III Environmental Declarations—Principles and Procedures.

   (iv) Raw material sourcing.

   • The raw material used in the product is sourced from a Legal Source, a Responsible Source, or a Certified Source as designated by ASTM D7612-10, Standard Practice for Categorizing Wood and Wood-Based Products According to Their Fiber Sources; or
   • The raw material used in the product is 100% resourced or recycled (such as material obtained from building deconstruction); or
   • The raw material used in the product is from an urban environment and is acquired as a result of activities related to a natural disaster, land clearing, right-of-way maintenance, tree health improvement, or public safety.

Exclusions.

Motor vehicle fuels, heating oil, and electricity are excluded by statute from this program.

Background:

The 2018 International Green Construction Code is the third edition of the IgCC. The previous two editions (2012 and 2015) were developed utilizing ICC’s Code Development Process as part of the ICC Family of Codes.

The responsibility for code provisions is now split between the ICC and ASHRAE processes. ICC is responsible for Chapter 1, Scope and Administration. ICC coordinated the technical provisions developed by ASHRAE with the provisions in Chapter 1 of the 2015 IgCC. The remainder of the code is the technical content that is based on the provisions of the 2017 edition of ANSI/ASHRAE/ICC/USGBC Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings (Standard 189.1).

Chapter 9 of ASHRAE 189.1 references wood products which are sourced from suppliers and manufacturers with chain of custody programs within certified sources.

ASHRAE 189.1 requires that 5% of the project bio-based materials must either comply with a minimum 60% content of certified wood products with chain of custody or be sourced from a vendor who purchases a minimum of 60% content of certified wood products with chain of custody.

This implies that the  remaining 95% of project materials can be Legal or Responsible Source wood products. These sources are not required to be documented.

The specific language of ASHRAE 189.1 Chapter 9 is listed below. Responsible Source wood products comply with Section 901.4.1.3, but not Section 901.4.1.3.1:

901.4 (9.4) Prescriptive Option

901.4.1 (9.4.1) Reduced Impact Materials. The building project shall comply with any two of the following: Sections 901.4.1.1, 901.4.1.2. 901.4.1.3, or 901.4.1.4 (9.4.1.1, 9.4.1.2, 9.4.1.3, or 9.4.1.4). Calculations shall only include materials permanently installed in the project. A value of 45% of the total construction cost shall be permitted to be used in lieu of the actual total cost of materials.

901.4.1.3 (9.4.1.3) Bio-based Products. A minimum of 5% of building materials used, based on cost, shall be bio-based products. Bio-based products shall:

1. comply with the minimum bio-based contents of the USDA’s BioPreferred Program;
2. contain the “USDA Certified Bio-based Product” label; or
3. be composed of solid wood, engineered wood, bamboo, wool, cotton, cork, agricultural fibers, or other bio-based materials with at least 50% bio-based content.

901.4.1.3.1 (9.4.1.3.1) Wood Building Components. Wood building components, including but not limited to structural framing, sheathing, flooring, subflooring, wood window sash and frames, doors, and architectural millwork, used to comply with this requirement shall contain not less than 60% certified wood content tracked through a chain of custody process, either by physical separation or percentage- based approaches, or wood that qualifies as a salvaged material. Certified wood content documentation shall be provided by sources certified through a forest certification system with principles, criteria, and standards developed using ISO/IEC Guide 59 or the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade. Wood building components from a vendor shall be permitted to comply when the annual average amount of certified wood products purchased by the vendor, for which they have chain of custody verification not older than two years, is 60% or greater of their total annual wood products purchased.