I wanted to bring something to the attention of every FSC certified company and FSC administrator out there and hopefully get some feedback on what others are thinking.
If you are not aware, the FSC is proposing changes for the next version of the FSC standard. What drew my attention is clause 3.2.4 which states,
"3.2.4 For FSC Mix assembled wood products, the visible wood component whose species (e.g. oak or maple) characterizes and gives its name to the product (e.g. “cherry cabinets” made from cherry veneer and MDF; “maple engineered flooring” made of maple wear layers on pine platforms) shall be FSC certified (FSC 100%, FSC Mix or FSC Recycled)."
So, in other words, every veneer face & back on FSC plywood will have to be FSC 100% if this passes. Up till now, FSC Controlled Wood has been acceptable in that application.
I have two issues with this proposal. First, it will raise the price of FSC sheetgoods by about 10%, that is the typical premium I pay when I purchase FSC 100% sheetgoods today. My second, and greater concern, is that this is likely to create a shortage of FSC 100% face grade veneer in the market, thus making it more difficult to source FSC sheetgoods, and likely driving the price even higher!
Of course, I can't speak for anyone else, but trying to pass along a 10% price increase will likely hurt my FSC business, and if there are problems sourcing veneer in the future and the price goes up more than that, I believe that FSC will likely become a "thing of the past" for any order except LEED projects where FSC is mandated.
Anyone else want to share their thoughts?