standards using the ‘G’ word

They’re addicted to this word. They all use it in varying forms with little unrememberable prefixes and suffixes that contribute to the green haze surrounding all environmental standards. Let’s try to clear some of this up.

Green Seal
Green Label
Green Label Plus
Green-e products
Green Score

you got any more? I can add them on.

Ok, we already covered Green Seal in the previous post. But we need a way of distinguishing these other ‘greens’ from each other.

Green Label – I visualize the label on the back of a rug or carpet sample when you go to Home Depot or something. And the Label is on the back of the carpet, where it meets up with the cushion. Green Label sets VOC limits for carpet cushions, as applicable in EQ 4.3: Low-Emitting Materials – Carpet Systems.

Green Label Plus – Well, ‘plus’ sounds a bit like ‘plush’, which helps you remember that we’re talking about carpets (because they always sell their carpet as being ‘plush’). Green Label Plus sets VOC limits for carpets, as applicable in EQ 4.3: Low-Emitting Materials – Carpet Systems.

Green-e products – Well, if the questions uses the word ‘products’, you’re fine because this is the only one that applies to electrical products. But it probably won’t – it will probably be talking about renewable energy of some sort. You just have to be sure to remember that this applies to GREEN POWER not on-site renewable energy. You can remember by thinking that the suffix ‘e’ kinda is used like the prefix ‘e’ on email. Something Electronic that is traded back and forth, as in credit EA 6: Green Power.

Green Score – The word ‘score’ makes me think there’s some kind of contest of race. What do people like to race? Their cars. A Green Score of 40 points is necessary to qualify a vehicle for credit SS 4.3: Alternative Transportation – Low-Emission and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles.

possible questions for ID 2

possible questions for ID 2:

1. What is the requirement of this credit?

2. What submittal information is required to verify this requirement is met?

answers:

1. That at least one LEED AP participates in the project team.

2. Name of the LEED AP, Name of the LEED AP’s company, Description of the LEED AP’s role, Copy of the LEED AP’s certificate.

possible questions for ID 1

possible questions for ID 1:

1. What are the three basic criteria for achieving exemplary performance or an innovation credit?

2. What are the two types of innovation strategies that will be considered?

3. Which credits in LEED NC are eligible to earn an ID credit?

answers:

1. ❶ quantitative performance improvements for environmental benefit
❷ process or specification must be comprehensive
❸ the formula that your project develops must be applicable to other projects

2. projects that greatly exceed the requirements and projects that address strategies not covered by any LEED credits.

3. The following credits are eligible for exemplary performance for the following reasons:
Sustainable Sites:
SS 2: Development Density & Community Connectivity – double project density or double density for double the area,
SS 4: Alternative Transportation – comprehensive transportation management plan
SS 4.1: Alternative Transportation: Public Transportation Access – double the number of stations. ½ from 2 rail stations instead of 1. ¼ mile from +2 stops for +4 bus lines instead of 1 stop for 2 lines,
SS 5.1: Site Development: Protect or Restore Habitat – on previously developed sites protect or restore 75% instead of 50%,
SS 5.2: Site Development: Maximize Open Space – double the requirements of each Option. 50% instead of 25%, 2x the bldg footprint instead of =, 40% of site area instead of 20%,
SS 7.1: Heat Island Effect: Non-Roof – 100% impervious surface in high-albedo materials instead of 50% OR 100% onsite parking located underground,
SS 7.2: Heat Island Effect: Roof – 100% green roof instead of 50%
WE 2: Innovative Wastewater Technologies – 100% reduction in potable water for sewage conveyance instead of 50% OR treat 100% generated wastewater onsite instead of 50%,
WE 3: Water Use Reduction – achieve 40% reduction instead of 20% or 30% OR demonstrate 10% potable water use reduction in process and non-regulated water consuming fixtures.
EA 1: Optimize Energy Performance – reduce energy load by 45.5% for new buildings and 38.5% for existing buildings instead of 42% and 35%,
EA 2: On-Site Renewable Energy – use 17.5% on-site renewable energy instead of 12.5%,
EA 6: Green Power – either double the contract length of time (4 instead of 2 years) or the amount of electricity (70% instead of 35%).
MR 2: Construction Waste Management – divert 95% of construction waste instead of 75%,
MR 3: Materials Reuse – reuse 15% instead of 5% or 10%,
MR 4: Recycled Content – use 30% instead of 10% or 20%,
MR 5: Regional Materials – use 40% instead of 10% or 20%,
MR 6: Rapidly Renewable Materials – use 5% instead of 2.5%,
MR 7: Certified Wood – use 95% instead of 50%
EQ 8.1: Daylight & Views: Daylight – 95% instead of 75%,
EQ 8.2: Daylight & Views: Views – case-by-case basis (more than 90% which is base credit)

possible questions for EQ 8.2

possible questions for EQ 8.2:

1. What are the requirements of this credit?

2. What must be true of areas in order to contribute towards the 90% of sq.footage?

3. What elevation from the floor must the sectional lines of sight be drawn from?

4. Can you earn exemplary performance for this credit?

answers:

1. Achieve direct line of sight via vision glazing for occupants in 90% of all regularly occupied areas.

2. In plan view, the area is within site line drawn from perimeter vision glazing. In section view, the direct sight line can be drawn from the area to perimeter vision glazing. Line of sight may go through interior glazing. For private offices, only 75% of the room needs to have direct line of sight. For multi-occupant spaces, only actual sq.footage with direct line of sight is counted.

3. 42 inches, average seated eye height.

4. Yes, but it is determined on a case-by-case basis.

possible questions for EQ 8.1

possible questions for EQ 8.1:

1. What are the 3 options to meet the requirements of this credit?

2. Which variables are used to determine the glazing factor?

3. How does LEED define daylight glazing versus vision glazing?

4. What are the best practice glare controls for side-lighting and top-lighting?

5. What steps should you take to implement Option 1?

6. What steps should you take to implement Option 2?

7. How does a project team comply using Option 3?

8. What is the alternative compliance path to a spreadsheet determining applicable rooms or areas that have over 2% glazing factor?

answers:

1. ‘calculate, model, or measure’:
Option 1 – Glazing Factor Calculation – achieve a minimum glazing factor of 2%  in a minimum of 75% of all regularly occupied areas.
Option 2 – Daylight Simulation Model – through computer simulation, demonstrate a minimum daylight illumination level of 25 footcandles in a minimum of 75% of all occupied spaces (clear sky, noon, equinox, 30” above floor)
Option 3 – Daylight Measurement – show through recorded measurements on the floor plan that a minimum daylight illumination level of 25 footcandles has been achieved in a minimum of 75% of all regularly occupied spaces (measurements taken on a 10 foot grid).

2. Glazing Factor = (window area ÷ floor area) × (window geometry factor) × (actual transmittance ÷ minimal transmittance) × (window height factor)

3. Daylight glazing is window areas above 7’6”; Vision glazing is 2’6” to 7’6”; below 2’6” does not contribute to these calculations

4. I had to sketch this to make myself remember it. You should try doing this as well.

5. ‘Some Football Associations from WAshington and West Texas use Growth Hormone Factor. VerMonT and ConnecticuT 2 Saw Over 75 Ghf Cases.’(long but at least it makes a bit more sense this time!):
Spreadsheet to determine all regularly occupied rooms
Floor Areas determined and entered into spreadsheet
Window Areas calculated
Window Types indicated
Geometry and Height Factors inserted
Visible and Minimum Transmittances
Calculate glazing factor for each window type
Total glazing factor for each room
2% glazing factor or greater means room’s square footage is applicable to credit
Sum all rooms’ sq.footage ÷ total sq.ft. of Occupied space
75% or greater gets you the credit point
plus Glare Control for each window

6. ‘Men’s Health Cases have Grown from 30 ×2 ‘Cause Delaware Institutions Can Not Eradicate it Longterm. Some Football Associations in MILton (delaware) had more than 25 and Saw Over 75 Ghf Cases.’
Model the daylight simulation with a
Horizontal Calculation Grid 30 inches above the floor at 2 foot intervals
Calculate the Daylight Illumination: Clear skies, Noon, Equinox, Location specific.
Spreadsheet with Floor Areas and Minimum Illumination Levels (from simulation)
more than 25 footcandles means that room’s sq.ft. is applicable
Sum all rooms’ sq.footage ÷ total sq.ft. of Occupied space
75% or greater gets you the credit point
plus Glare Control for each window

7. Take actual illumination measurements and enter them into the spreadsheet for the same requirements as Options 1 and 2.

8. You can split the rooms or areas up into applicable areas (of over 2% glazing factor) and non-applicable areas. All areas contribute to the total sum of occupied space.

possible questions for EQ 7.2

possible questions for EQ 7.2:

1. What kind of verification is required of the Thermal Comfort design in order to achieve this credit?

2. What scale is used in the occupant survey to determine satisfaction?

3. What must the survey information include for each anonymous occupant?

4. How do you calculate the percentage of dissatisfied occupants?

answers:

1. Agreement to implement a thermal comfort survey of building occupants within a period of 6 to 18 months after occupancy. The occupants should provide anonymous responses about the overall satisfaction and problem areas in the building. A plan for corrective action should be developed if more than 20% of the occupants express dissatisfaction.

2. A 7-point scale with 0 in the middle, ranging from very dissatisfied (-3) to very satisfied (+3).

3. Satisfaction level, Location in building zone, Follow up questions and answers.

4. The number of occupants who indicated one of the lower three points on the first question about overall satisfaction with the thermal comfort of the building.

possible questions for EQ 7.1

possible questions for EQ 7.1:

1. What standard must be met in order to satisfy the requirements of this credit?

2. For what air speeds is the model used by this standard applicable?

3. What compliance alternative exists for naturally ventilated projects?

answers:

1. ASHRAE Standard 55-2004, Thermal Comfort Conditions for Human Occupancy, Section 6.1.1 Documentation compliance required.

2. The PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) model is applicable to airspeeds no greater than 0.20 m/s.

3. Section 5.3 of the standard is the optional compliance for naturally ventilated buildings. It provides broad indoor temperature ranges as a function of mean monthly indoor temperature ranges; assuming light and sedentary activity, but independent of humidity, air speed, and clothing considerations.

possible questions for EQ 6.2

possible questions for EQ 6.2:

1. What are the two main requirements of this credit?

2. When can operable windows be used instead of comfort controls to meet the requirements of this credit?

3. What is the referenced standards for conditions of thermal comfort? And what conditions does it include?

4. What is one of the most important synergies between this and another LEED credit?

answers:

1. Individual comfort controls for 50% of building occupants AND comfort system controls for all shared multi-occupant spaces.

2. When users are occupants of areas 20 feet inside of and 10 feet to either side of the operable part of the windows, these operable windows can apply to providing 50% of the occupants with individual controls. The areas of operable window must apply with ASHRAE 62.1-2004, paragraph 5.1: Natural Ventilation.

3. ASHRAE Standard 55-2004 – ‘ARAH’ : Air temperature, Radiant temperature, Air speed, Humidity.

4. The relationship between Thermal Comfort (this credit) and Indoor Air Quality (EQ p1, 1, 2, 3, and 4).

possible questions for EQ 6.1

possible questions for EQ 6.1:

1. What are the requirements of this credit?

2. Define adjustability.

3. What is the most desirable approach to this credit?

answers:

1. Provide individual lighting controls for 90% of building occupants AND provide lighting system controllability for all shared multi-occupant spaces.

2. Adjustability, at a minimum, must allow the workstation occupant the ability to turn the fixture on and off. Ideally, it should also be easily repositioned and have multiple light levels.

3. Provision of uniform ambient lighting, augmented with individual controlled task fixtures.

possible questions for EQ 4.4

possible questions for EQ 4.4:

1. Interior composite wood and agrifiber products are defined as being located…?

2. This credit requires what characteristic of all interior composite wood and agrifiber products?

3. What products are considered applicable to this credit?

answers:

1. inside the weatherproofing

2. Must not contain any added urea-formaldehyde resins.

3. ‘Mom and Pop Were Some Pretty Decent People’ : ❶ MDF ❷ Particleboard ❸ Wheatboard ❹ Strawboard ❺ Panel substrates ❻ Door cores ❼ Plywood

possible questions for EQ 4.3

possible questions for EQ 4.3:

1. All carpets and carpet cushions must meet what standard in order to achieve this credit?

2. What is the emissions limit for carpet adhesives?

3. Who developed the testing method and sample collections for emissions testing of carpets?

answers:

1. the Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label Program – all carpets must meet the requirements of Green Label Plus, and all carpet cushions must meet Green Label.

2. As listed in EQ 4.1, carpet adhesives have a limit of 50 g/L.

3. Carpet & Rug Institute in coordination with California’s Sustainable Building Task Force and the California Department of Health Services.

possible questions for EQ 4.2

possible questions for EQ 4.2:

1. What standards do paints and coatings have to meet to qualify for this credit?

2. Which VOC limit is primer subject to?

3. Can you list the examples of limits from SCAQMD that are shown in the reference manual?

4. Is there an alternative compliance path for achieving this credit?

5. What submittal information is required when using the VOC Budget Calculation method?

answers:

1. Paints: GS-11, Rust: GS-03, Stains: SCAQMD 1113 – need to find better way to remember that… working on it. Here’s the full list:
Architectural paints, coatings, and primers applied to interior walls and ceilings – Green Seal Standard GS-11, Paints, First Edition, May 20, 1993.
Anti-corrosive and anti-rust paints applied to interior ferrous metal substrates – Green Seal Standard GS-03, Anti-Corrosive Paints, Second Edition, January 7, 1997.
Clear wood finishes, floor coatings, stains, sealers, and shellacs applied to interior elements – South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1113, Architectural Coatings, rules in effect on January 1, 2004.

2. The same as that for non-flat paint – 150g/L. (Flat paint – 50 g/L)

3. In order of magnitude is best. At least then you might remember relative limits if not the actual numbers (all units are g/L):
730 – clear shellac
550 – pigmented shellac
550 – lacquer
350 – varnish
275 – sanding sealers
250 – waterproofing sealers
250 – stains
200 – all other sealers
100 – floor coatings
That makes the mnemonic, ‘Computers Provide a Large Value. So What. Still Aren’t Functional!’ (As you can see, my computer and I are having difficulties getting along today)

4. Yes, to allow for specialty applications for which there is no low-VOC product option. It’s called the VOC Budget Calculation. It may be used for EQ 4.1 or 4.2. Documentation must demonstrate that the overall VOC emissions for the design case are less than the baseline case.

5. name of product, application rate, class or use, actual VOC level, and a narrative

possible questions for EQ 4.1

possible questions for EQ 4.1:

1. What standards must all adhesives and sealants comply with in order to achieve this credit?

2. Is there an alternative compliance path for achieving this credit?

3. What submittal information is required when using the VOC Budget Calculation method?

answers:

1. SCAQMD (South Coast Air Quality Management District) Rule #1168 and Green Seal Standard for Commercial Adhesives GS-36.

2. Yes, to allow for specialty applications for which there is no low-VOC product option. It’s called the VOC Budget Calculation. It may be used for EQ 4.1 or 4.2. Documentation must demonstrate that the overall VOC emissions for the design case are less than the baseline case.

3. name of product, application rate, class or use, actual VOC level, and a narrative

possible questions for EQ 3.2

possible questions for EQ 3.2:

1. What are the two general ways that you can meet this requirement?

2. If a project team decides to do a flush-out, what are the associated requirements?

3. How does a team demonstrate compliance through air quality testing to earn this credit?

4. How is a compliant air quality test conducted?

5. Explain the chemical contaminants which LEED regulates in this credit.

answers:

1. with either a flush-out or air quality testing

2. ❶ ‘14000-60-60’ : After construction ends, prior to occupancy and with all interior finishings installed, perform a building flush-out by supplying a total air volume of 14,000 cu.ft. of outdoor air per sq.ft. of floor area while maintaining an internal temperature of at least 60°F and a relative humidity no higher than 60%. OR
❷ ‘3500 – 0.3 – 3’ : Occupancy can begin following a minimum of 3,500 Cu.Ft. of outdoor air per sq.ft. of floor area, as long as the flush out continues after occupancy at a minimum rate of the greater value between 0.30 cfm/sq.ft. of outside air or the design minimum outside air rate determined in EQ p1. Ventilation will begin 3 hours prior to occupancy each day until 14,000 cu.ft./sq.ft. of outside air has been delivered to the space.

3. ❶ Conduct tests in accordance with the EPA’s Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Air Pollutants in Indoor Air. ❷ Demonstrate that contaminant maximums are not exceeded. ❸ Flush-out and retest problem spots.

4. ‘FLIP ‘N HoP’ : ❶ Furniture encouraged but not required ❷ Locations of sampling tests ≥ 1 per 25,000 sq.ft. for each floor ❸ Interior finishes installed ❹ Prior to occupancy ❺ Normal conditions ❻ Height -3 to 6 feet from floor ❼ Period – min 4 hour period

5. ‘the FTP for a PC is 50,500,50,6.5,9,2’ -
❶ Formaldehyde: gas emitted from many sources, including building materials, glues, adhesives, carpets, composite wood furnishings, permanent pressed fabrics and combustion sources. Credit Limit = 50 parts per billion.
❷ Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC): the sum of all VOC’s in the air emitted by materials in a building, including some carcinogenic compounds. Sources include building materials, glues, adhesives, carpets, composite wood furnishings, permanent pressed fabrics and combustion sources. Credit Limit = 500 micrograms per cubic meter.
❸ Particulate Matter (PM10): airborne particulates in the form of dust coming from construction activities and outdoor air. Credit Limit = 50 micrograms per cubic meter.
❹ 4-phenylcyclohexene (4-PCH): odorous compound referred to as ‘new carpet smell’, emitted form the styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) binder used to hold carpet fibers to backing. Credit Limit = 6.5 micrograms per cubic meter.
❺ Carbon Monoxide (CO): colorless, odorless, tasteless gas emitted from sources such as vehicle exhaust, wood stoves, kerosene heaters, and cigarettes. Credit Limit = 9 parts per million, and no more than 2 parts per million above outdoor concentrations.

possible questions for EQ 3.1

possible questions for EQ 3.1:

1. What are the requirements on the IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) Plan that must be developed and implemented for this credit?

2. What are the control measures for implementing an effective IAQ plan?

3. What is SMACNA?

answers:

1. ‘Meet, Protect, Install’ : ❶ meet the control measures by SMACNA ❷ protect absorptive materials from moisture damage ❸ install MERV 8 filtration media on permanent air handlers

2. ‘Hey! PPSS!’ : ❶ Housekeeping ❷ Pathway interruption ❸ HVAC Protection ❹ Source control ❺ Scheduling

3. SMACNA: Sheer Metal and Air Conditioning Contractor’s National Association, the referenced standard for an IAQ plan.

possible questions for EQ 2

possible questions for EQ 2:

1. For mechanically ventilated spaces, what constitutes ‘increased ventilation’ for the purposes of this credit?

2. What standards should be used when designing a naturally ventilated space for this credit?

3. When using natural ventilation to achieve this credit, what percentage of the occupied areas must be effectively ventilated?

4. What are the 8 design steps listed in the Carbon Trust Good Practice Guide 237 (1998)?

answers:

1. Exceed the minimum rates of AHSRAE 62.1-2004 used in EQ p1 by 30% to all occupied spaces.

2. Meet the recommendations in the Carbon Trust Good Practice Guide 237 (1998). Follow the flow diagram process in Figure 1.18 of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Application Manual 10:2005, Natural Ventilation in Non-Domestic Buildings. Then EITHER meet CIBSE’s recommendations (and prove it with diagrams and calculations) OR meet ASHRAE 62.1-2004 minimum rates for at least 90% of occupied spaces (and prove it with a macroscopic, multi-zone, analytical model).

3. 90%

4. ‘SAD PRIDE’ :
Size ventilation devices
Analyze the design
Develop design requirements
Plan airflow paths
Requirements for ventilation need to be determined
Identify features requiring special attention
Devices to be selected
Estimate external driving pressures

possible questions for EQ 1

possible questions for EQ 1:

1. What are the requirements to fulfill this credit for mechanically ventilated spaces?

2. What are the requirements to fulfill this credit for naturally ventilated spaces?

3. How is the ventilation rate measured?

4. What is involved in the Operations and Maintenance component of this credit?

answers:

1. Install a permanent monitoring system that provides feedback on the ventilation system performance and generates an alarm when the conditions vary more than 10% from the set point. Monitor CO2 concentrations in densely occupied spaces (≥ 25 people per 1000 sq.ft.). Monitor locations should be between 3 and 6 feet from the floor. For non-densely occupied spaces, provide a direct outdoor airflow measurement device capable of accuracy ± 15% of design minimum (as defined by ASHRAE 62.1-2004)

2. Install a permanent monitoring system that provides feedback on the ventilation system performance and generates an alarm when the conditions vary more than 10% from the set point. Monitor CO2 concentrations between 3 and 6 feet from the floor.

3. At the outdoor air intake to an air distribution system, one can use a variety of airflow devices (including Pitot tubes, Venturi meters, and rotating vane anemometers). One can also do a mass balance calculation of an HVAC system if both supply airflow and return airflow are directly measured with airflow monitoring devices. All devices must be able to detect when the system is 15% below the minimum design rate.

4. As part of commissioning, the systems must be calibrated and all set points and control sequences must be implemented. Personnel must be provided with the proper information and training.

possible questions for EQ p2

possible questions for EQ p2:

1. What are the 3 options for complying with this credit?

2. In Option 2, what are the requirements of the designated smoking rooms?

3. In residential buildings, what further requirements apply?

answers:

1. For non-residential buildings: either prohibit smoking completely or designate smoking rooms. In both cases exterior smoking areas must be designated at least 25 feet from the entrance of the building. For residential buildings, prohibit smoking in common areas.

2. ‘contain, capture, remove and verify’:
❶ contain – rooms must be enclosed with impermeable deck-to-deck partitions
❷ capture – no air re-circulation with non-smoking areas
❸ remove – direct exhaust to outdoors with minimum average of 5 Pa (0.02 inches water gauge) of pressure and minimum of 1 Pa (0.004 inches water gauge)
❹ verify – 15 minutes of measurement, minimum of one measurement every 10 seconds, of differential pressure for each of the horizontal and vertical adjacent areas with doors closed

3. ‘PLeaSe WaiT to smoke’:
❶ Prohibit smoking in common areas
❷ Locate exterior smoking areas ≥ 25 feet from openings
❸ Seal penetrations in walls, ceilings, floors, and vertical chases
❹ Weatherstrip all doors leading to common hallways or show pressurization similar to Option 2’s requirements
❺ Test the sealing with blower door tests conducted in accordance with ANSI/ASTM-E779-03: Standard Test Method for Determining Air-Leakage Rate by Fan Pressurization AND use the progressive sampling methodology listed in Chapter 4 (Compliance Through Quality Construction) of the Residential Manual for Compliance with California’s 2001 Energy Efficiency Standards. Tests must show less than 1.25 square inches of leakage area per 100 square feet enclosure area

possible questions for EQ p1

possible questions for EQ p1:

1. What is the standard used for meeting the requirements of this prerequisite?

2. What are the basic strategies for ventilating buildings, according to LEED?

3. When using all active or mechanical strategies, what must be calculated?

4. When naturally ventilating a project, what requirements exist?

5. If a project uses mixed-mode ventilation, what requirement applies?

answers:

1. Meet the minimum requirements of Sections 4 through 7 of ASHRAE 62.1-2004 Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality. Mechanical systems should use the more stringent between Ventilation Rate Procedure or local codes. Naturally ventilated buildings should comply with paragraph 5.1.

2. Active, Passive, and Mixed-Mode

3. using the Ventilation Rate Procedure,
the breathing zone outdoor airflow = (outdoor airflow rate per person × the zone population) + (outdoor airflow rate per unit area × zone floor area). Then use adjustment factors to find the required breathing zone airflow, which must meet or exceed the minimums listed in the standard.

4. All naturally ventilated spaces shall be permanently open to and within 25 feet of operable wall or roof openings. The openable area shall be at least 4% of the net occupied floor area.

5. Meet the minimum ventilation rates required by the standard regardless of mode.

possible questions for MR 7

possible questions for MR 7:

1. If a project team has chosen window assemblies containing FSC wood, how do they determine the amount of FSC-certified wood in the assemblies?

2. To what extent are CoC certificates required to achieve this credit?

answers:

1. For assemblies, you can calculate the amount of FSC-certified wood as a percentage of the total weight, volume OR cost.

2. The end-user (contractor) must have an invoice from an entity with CoC certification if there are no FSC labels on the purchased products. If the end-user purchases a product which has not changed in form from the time it received the FSC stamp from the manufacturer to the time it was sold by the vendor, then the vendor need not have a CoC certificate.