Several different forest certification systems are now in use around the world. Some were developed by the private sector, some by governmental organizations, some by NGOs, and some by a combination of all three sectors.
How the programs differ is a highly contested issue, according to The Yale Program on Forest Policy and Governance. The Yale Program states that some environmental groups view the differences between certification programs as very large, while industry associations generally see less difference between programs. They share common approaches and concerns but they emphasize different issues.
The Yale Program states that some environmental groups view the differences between certification programs as very large, while industry associations generally see less difference between programs. They share common approaches and concerns but they emphasize different issues.
Below are four of the most commonly used forest certification programs.
JUMP TO:
Forest Stewardship Council
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
Canadian Standards Association – Sustainable Forest Management
American Tree Farm System
Additional forest certification programs
Forest Stewardship Council
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) was founded in the early 1990s through the actions of the Worldwide Fund for Nature. Currently, the FSC is a global certification program that is often cited as the most credible and environmentally sound of all the certification programs.
Certification guidelines overview:
FSC uses a set of 10 principles and criteria for forest management that is applicable to all FSC-certified forests throughout the world. FSC also has regionally-based standards. Nine U.S. regional standards have been developed, and FSC International has so far officially recognized seven of these. The nine U.S. regions where standards are either endorsed or are actively being developed are: Pacific Coast; Rocky Mountain; Southwest; Ozark-Ouachita; Northeast; Appalachian; Southeast; Lake States; and Mississippi Alluvial Valley.
SC certification examines forest management practices in accordance with 10 principles, as described on its website.
Principle 1.
Compliance with all applicable laws and international treaties
Principle 2.
Demonstrated and uncontested, clearly defined, long–term land tenure and use rights
Principle 3.
Recognition and respect of indigenous peoples' rights
Principle 4.
Maintenance or enhancement of long-term social and economic well-being of forest workers and local communities and respect of worker’s rights in compliance with International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions
Principle 5.
Equitable use and sharing of benefits derived from the forest
Principle 6.
Reduction of environmental impact of logging activities and maintenance of the ecological functions and integrity of the forest
Principle 7.
Appropriate and continuously updated management plan
Principle 8.
Appropriate monitoring and assessment activities to assess the condition of the forest, management activities and their social and environmental impacts
Principle 9.
Maintenance of High Conservation Value Forests (HCVFs) defined as environmental and social values that are considered to be of outstanding significance or critical importance
Principle 10.
In addition to compliance with all of the above, plantations must contribute to reduce the pressures on and promote the restoration and conservation of natural forests.
Chain of custody overview:
The chain-of-custody system, developed by the FSC, refers to FSC’s scrutiny of every step in the process by which wood is transformed from a tree in the forest to a final product provided in a wholesale or retail market. In order to ensure that consumers know they are getting an FSC certified product, the wood must be able to be tracked at every stage in the chain of custody—from forest to sawmill to the processing facility to the marketplace.
back to top
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
Originally founded and run by the American Forest & Paper Association, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is now wholly independent and run by the SFI board. Board members include representatives of environmental, conservation, professional and academic groups, independent professional loggers, small family forest owners, public officials, labor and the forest products industry. SFI describes itself as a “charitable organization dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management.” As of 2005, SFI has received the formal support of the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, an international forest certification organization, but, unlike the FSC, the SFI is only a North American certification organization.
Certification guidelines overview:
The American Forest & Paper Association originally created SFI standards. As of July 2000, further changes to the standards became the responsibility of the Sustainable Forestry Board.
The current standards are valid through end of 2009. SFI certification examines practices in the following areas:
- Sustainable forestry
- Responsible practices
- Reforestation and productive capacity
- Forest health and productivity
- Long-term forest and soil productivity
- Protection of water resources
- Protection of special sites biological diversity
- Legal compliance and continual improvement
Chain of custody Ooerview:
SFI program participants must establish the ability to monitor all levels of the supply system, and auditors must be able to verify the reliability of reported results.
back to top
Canadian Standards Association – Sustainable Forest Management
In 1996 the Canadian forest industry pushed for the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) to create a program for sustainable forest management. In 1996 the CSA complied with these requests and created the Sustainable Forest Management program (SFM). The program was revised in 2002 and is recognized by the SFI as the functional equivalent in Canada. The CSA is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada as an official standards development organization.
Certification guidelines overview:
CSA-SFM guidelines are developed by a volunteer technical committee representing consumers, environmental groups, government, industry, Aboriginal, academia and other stakeholders. The Standard links adaptive forest management to forest certification through three key requirements:
- Performance Requirements
- Public Participation Requirements
- System Requirements
Chain of custody overview:
CSA-SFM chain-of-custody requires participants to be able to track forest products through all phases of ownership, processing and transportation, from the forest of origin to the end consumer. CSA-SFM chain-of-custody is verified through an independent third-party audit.
back to top
American Tree Farm System
Small in comparison to the above groups in terms of acreage that they have certified is the American Tree Farm System (ATFS). It was created in 1941 and is seen as the original forest management system. Currently, the ATFS is sponsored by the American Forest Foundation (AFF) and has certified 24 million acres of privately owned forestland. It is important to note that unlike other certification organizations, the ATFS only certifies the acreage and does not audit the chain of custody.
Certification guidelines overview:
ATFS certification guidelines are developed solely by the AFF. Private forest owners must develop a management plan based on strict environmental standards and pass an inspection by an ATFS volunteer forester every five years.
The ATFS certification examines practices in the following areas:
- Ensuring sustainable forests
- Compliance with laws
- Commitment to practicing sustainable forestry
- Reforestation
- Air, water and soil protection
- Fish, wildlife and biodiversity
- Forest Aesthetics; protection of special sites
- Wood fiber harvest and other operations.
Chain of custody overview:
Currently the ATFS does not have a chain of custody verification system in place.
back to top
Additional forest certification programs
Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification. This program is mostly based out of Europe, but it has endorsed the CSA-SFM and SFI.
For more information:
back to top