Forest Certification
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Forest Certification?
Forest certification is the process of inspecting forests to see if they are being
managed according to an agreed set of standards. Forest certification provides a
voluntary opportunity for a forest enterprise to undergo an independent formal
assessment and verification of the quality of its forest activities.
How does Certification work?
A forest enterprise - company, association or person - can consider the benefits of
seeking certification (for example some markets may be asking to have products
from certified forests) and employ an accredited certifier to do the assessment. A
checklist of factors to be measured is developed, the review is conducted, a report
is prepared, and certification is granted if the results are satisfactory.
What are the objectives of Certification?
Forest certification is a way of promoting continual improvement in the practice of
sustainable forestry and to monitor, measure and report performance in achieving
the commitment to sustainable forestry worldwide. A major purpose is to have a
'level playing field' among countries for comparing forest management. Forest
certification is increasingly recognized as a valuable tool to help guarantee
responsible forest management.
Information sources:
http://srmwww.gov.bc.ca/tib/vri/vri/faq/c&i.html
http://www.fscoax.org/html/fsc_faq.html
http://www.fscoax.org/slimf/index.htm
http://www.aboutsfi.com/sfilabel_use.asp
Compiled by the Community Forestry Resource Center of IATP
www.forestrycenter.org
April, 2004
Forest Certification Websites and Resources
Background
An Introduction to Forest Certification
M. Rickenbach, R. Fletcher, and E. Hansen
http://eesc.orst.edu/agcomwebfile/edmat/html/ec/ec1518/ec1518.html
Introduction to Forest Certification
Southern Regional Extension Forestry
http://sref.info/courses/certification/
European Forest Institute
Certification Information Service
http://www.efi.fi/cis/english/background.php
Certification Programs and Organizations
Forest Stewardship Council – United States
http://www.fscus.org
American Tree Farm System
http://www.treefarmsystem.org/
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
http://www.aboutsfi.org/
Markets and Certified Forest Products
Forest Certification Resource Center
http://www.certifiedwood.org/
Markets Initiative
http://www.oldgrowthfree.com/certified.html
The Certified Wood and Paper Association
http://www.cwpa.info/
Compiled by the Community Forestry Resource Center of IATP
www.forestrycenter.org
April, 2004