Certification

they do not use a certification program-mainly because of high costs. According to respondents, the average cost of obtaining and maintaining certification is $19,898 annually-but can reach six figures.

"While many companies are not embracing certification programs, they are hearing a lot about it and are working to accommodate their customers," said Russell Richardson, SFPA's director of industrial markets. "They like the fact that they are being environmentally conscious, but they also have to balance their investment in certification in order to maintain a viable business model."

"Watch green building closely," Richardson advised. "Just as new building construction affects demand of traditional wood products, green building construction will affect demand of certified wood products."