The CIR review concluded that bamboo is often used in many of the same applications as wood products, and is considered by the FSC to be a forest product despite its technical classification as a grass. Going forward FSC-certified bamboo building products (flooring, plywood, veneers) will be recognized within LEED’s MRc7 Credit.

"We couldn't be more pleased with the USGBC's ruling," Smith & Fong president and founder Dan Smith said. "To be recognized by LEED provides the ultimate validation for all the years of work we undertook to prove the sustainability of bamboo as a building material."

Smith & Fong received certification for its bamboo resources—the world's first nonwood product certified in accordance with the FSC's guidelines—in April 2008. The company's certified Plyboo products qualify for the FSC Pure designation, as they are 100-percent FSC material from an FSC-certified forest and have been sold and/or processed by an FSC chain-of-custody certified company. Smith & Fong's sources use no irrigation, pesticides or fertilizers in growing their bamboo.

The exact wording of the USGBC's CIR ruling can be found here: http://www.usgbc.org/LEED/Credit/CIRMain.aspx?VID=2. Access to the CIR pages requires a username and password.

Founded in 1989 and headquartered in San Francisco, Smith & Fong Co. was the first U.S. company to manufacture bamboo flooring in China for sale in North America, offering its initial product under the brand name Plyboo in 1993. In 1996 the firm began producing bamboo plywood, followed by coconut palm flooring and plywood products in 2000. Smith & Fong is committed to sustainability through innovation. For information call 866-835-9859 or visit http://plyboo.com.