TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)awards points for theMaterials and Resources (MR) Credit: Environmentally Preferable Productswhen using certified lumber, specificallyForest Stewardship Council (FSC)certified wood, which ensures sustainable forestry practices. Documentation is critical to verify compliance.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products (1–4 points)
Use products that meet one or more of the following criteria for at least 25%, 50%, or 90% (by cost) of the total materials:
FSC-certified wood: Wood products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.Projects must provide chain of custody (COC) certificates from vendors to document that the wood is FSC-certified, verifying sustainable sourcing.Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Materials and Resources Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160–161.
TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:
MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products
To earn points for FSC-certified wood, projects must collect chain of custody (COC) certificates from suppliers to document that the lumber meets FSC standards.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
To achieve points, the builder mustcollect all vendor chain of custody (COC) certificates to document the use of FSC certified materials(Option D). COC certificates trace the wood from FSC-certified forests to the project, ensuring compliance with the credit’s requirements.
Why not the other options?
[Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160., B. Include Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certified lumber in all plans and specifications: SFI is not acceptable for this credit, and plans alone do not verify actual use; COC documentation is required.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160., C. Notify all suppliers of project requirement for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified lumber: Notification is a good practice but insufficient without COC certificates to document compliance.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 161., TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookemphasizes MR credits, including Environmentally Preferable Products, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a key resource. The exam is based onLEED v4, ensuring the relevance of FSC COC documentation., References:, LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Materials and Resources Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160–161., LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, USGBC LEED Credit Library, accessed via LEED Online (https://www.usgbc.org/credits)., LEED AP Homes Candidate Handbook, GBCI, October 2024, p. 12 (references study resources and exam scope based on LEED v4)., USGBC LEED for Homes Rating System (v4), available via USGBC website (https://www.usgbc.org/resources/leed-homes-design-and-construction-v4)., LEED v4.1 for Homes, USGBC, accessed via LEED Online, confirming FSC documentation requirements., , , , ]
