Introduction to the SFI Standard

The SFI 2010-2014 Standard promotes sustainable forest management in North America through 14 core principles that promote sustainable forest management, including measures to protect water quality, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, species at risk, and Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value. There are also 20 objectives, 39 performance measures and 114 indicators, developed by professional foresters, conservationists, scientists and others.

The standard, the outcome of an 18-month public review process, took effect on Jan. 1, 2010 and includes revisions that:

• improve conservation of biodiversity in North America and offshore
• address emerging issues such as climate change and bioenergy
• strengthen unique SFI fiber sourcing requirements
• complement SFI activities aimed at avoiding controversial or illegal offshore fiber sources
• expand requirements for logger training and support for trained loggers and certified logger programs

To be certified, forest operations must be third-party audited to the standard’s requirements by independent, objective and accredited certification bodies. The SFI program is also committed to continuously improve responsible forest management.

SFI program participants must meet or exceed applicable water quality laws and regulations, with measures to manage and protect water bodies and riparian zones on certified lands. They must continually evaluate habitat and biodiversity impacts from forest activities – this leads to improved habitat quality, and protection of imperiled or critically imperiled species.

SFI program participants must comply with the comprehensive forestry laws that apply to them in the United States and Canada. They must practice responsible forestry on their certified lands, as well as promote best management practices, awareness and training if they procure wood from lands in North America that are not certified.

The SFI program is committed to improving the practice of forestry on all forestlands in North America, whether boreal forests or plantation forests, whether naturally regenerated or planted. Its philosophy is that healthy, productive forests yield immense environmental, social and economic benefits, and mitigate the impacts of climate change by absorbing and storing carbon in trees, soil and biomass. Forestland being converted to other uses could not be certified to the SFI Standard because it would not meet the requirement calling for prompt reforestation after the final harvest.

The SFI Standard is reviewed through an open public process every five years so it can incorporate the latest scientific information and respond to emerging issues. The review leading to the SFI 2010-2014 Standard included two public comment periods and seven regional workshops.

• Introduction to the SFI Standard
• SFI Chain of Custody Requirements
• SFI Fiber Sourcing Requirements
• SFI Labels & Claims
• Independent Certification Bodies
• Complaints
• Accreditation of Independent Certification Bodies
• American Tree Farm System
• Programme For The Endorsement Of Forest Certification Schemes