BREEAM awards credits for responsibly sourced materials irrespective of material type. The aim of these credits is to encourage the specification and procurement of responsibly sourced materials (RSM) for buildings in construction and operation. To achieve credits for this issue, materials used for key building elements must be covered by appropriate BREEAM recognized environmental management or Responsible Sourcing Certification (RSC) schemes. These include the principal lumber sector schemes used in the USA and internationally. The score achieved is dependent on the rigor and scope of the RSC scheme. Further guidance can be found in our Resources section.