LEED to Include Credit for Legally Sourced Wood
Regulatory Spotlight
Since 1994, the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system has been synonymous with green building. LEED certification is one of the few building industry standards that has broken through the noise and achieved a level of acceptance where certification drives consumer demand. This acceptance allows the USGBC to use its leverage in the marketplace to incentivize adoption of practices that are environmentally beneficial.
Consumers may not yet be aware, however, that LEED goes beyond energy and water efficiency to materials sourcing and, of importance to the wood products industry, timber legality. In April the USGBC announced a new pilot Alternative Compliance Path (ACP) credit that is intended to promote environmentally responsible forest management practices and the use of wood products of verified legal origin by ensuring that all wood has been legally harvested and that most wood is responsibly sourced in compliance with ATSM D7612-10, the Standard Practice for Categorizing Wood and Wood-Based Products According to Their Fiber Sources.
In a statement announcing the pilot ACP, USGBC CEO and founding Chair Rick Fedrizzi stated "healthy, vibrant forests are an essential piece of life as we know it. LEED has made tremendous strides by promoting leadership on sourcing of forestry products. We want LEED to also be a significant driver for stopping illegal logging."
IWPA Member companies have been at the forefront of legality verification in the U.S. for decades. A visit to IWPA's Membership Directory at www.IWPAwood.org can provide specifiers with dozens of companies across the U.S. who are able to provide their customers with all types and species of wood products that are certified under the verification schemes that meet LEED requirements.
Frequently asked questions
What is LEED's new Alternative Compliance Path credit for wood products?+
In April the USGBC announced a pilot Alternative Compliance Path (ACP) credit that promotes environmentally responsible forest management practices and the use of wood products of verified legal origin. It ensures all wood has been legally harvested and that most wood is responsibly sourced.
What standard does the LEED wood sourcing credit reference?+
The pilot ACP credit requires compliance with ASTM D7612-10, the Standard Practice for Categorizing Wood and Wood-Based Products According to Their Fiber Sources.
Why did USGBC add a credit for legally sourced wood to LEED?+
According to USGBC CEO Rick Fedrizzi, healthy forests are essential and LEED has promoted leadership in forestry product sourcing. The USGBC wants LEED to also serve as a significant driver for stopping illegal logging.
How can specifiers find suppliers of LEED-compliant legal wood products?+
IWPA's Membership Directory at www.IWPAwood.org lists dozens of U.S. companies that provide wood products certified under the verification schemes meeting LEED requirements across all types and species.
When was LEED established and why is it influential?+
LEED was established in 1994 by the U.S. Green Building Council and has become synonymous with green building. Its market acceptance allows USGBC to leverage consumer demand to incentivize environmentally beneficial practices.