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The '''Sustainable Forestry Initiative''', '''SFI Inc.''', is a [[non-profit]] organization with more than {{convert|195|e6acre|km2}} <ref name="C1">[http://www.sfiprogram.org/newsroom/?p=259 SFI Marks 2,000 Chain-of-Custody Certified Locations]</ref> certified to its 'forest certification standard' in the [[United States]] and [[Canada]]. The Sustainable Forestry Initiative, which represents some of the largest timber producers of the US and has a less rigorous standard for assessing sustainability than that currently recognized by [[LEED]],<ref>[http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/22/for-sustainable-wood-a-new-and-unloved-standard/?src=me John Collins Rudolf, "For Sustainable Wood, a New and Unloved Standard" ''The New York Times'', 22 October 2010] accessed 23 October 2010</ref> is the world’s largest single forest certification standard <ref name="C2">[http://www.sfiprogram.org/files/pdf/news-releases/nr-standard-2010-01-12.pdf SFI Inc. Launches New Standard, Leads Forest Certification Forward]</ref> and recognized globally by the [[Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes]], which itself is the world's largest forest certifications system. According to the [[United Nations]], SFI is the fastest growing organization for chain of custody certifications.<ref name="C3">[http://timber.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/publications/Final_FPAMR2009.pdf Forest Products- Annual Market Review]</ref>
The '''Sustainable Forestry Initiative''', '''SFI Inc.''', is a [[non-profit]] organization with more than {{convert|195|e6acre|km2}} <ref name="C1">[http://www.sfiprogram.org/newsroom/?p=259 SFI Marks 2,000 Chain-of-Custody Certified Locations]</ref> certified to its 'forest certification standard' in the [[United States]] and [[Canada]]. The Sustainable Forestry Initiative, which represents some of the largest timber producers of the US and has a less rigorous standard for assessing sustainability than that currently recognized by [[LEED]],<ref>[http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/22/for-sustainable-wood-a-new-and-unloved-standard/?src=me John Collins Rudolf, "For Sustainable Wood, a New and Unloved Standard" ''The New York Times'', 22 October 2010] accessed 23 October 2010</ref> is the world’s largest single forest certification standard <ref name="C2">[http://www.sfiprogram.org/files/pdf/news-releases/nr-standard-2010-01-12.pdf SFI Inc. Launches New Standard, Leads Forest Certification Forward]</ref> and recognized globally by the [[Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes]], which itself is the world's largest forest certifications system. According to the [[United Nations]], SFI is the fastest growing organization for chain of custody certifications.<ref name="C3">[http://timber.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/publications/Final_FPAMR2009.pdf 2008-2009 Forest Products- Annual Market Review]</ref>


==Forest certification standards==
==Forest certification standards==
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The SFI program only certifies lands in the United States and Canada, and program participants must comply with all applicable laws. For sources outside of North America without effective laws, participants must avoid illegal or other controversial sources.<ref name="C20">[http://www.sfiprogram.org/files/pdf/Section7_sfi_requirements_2010-2014.pdf SFI Requirements 2010-2014 Section 7]</ref> The SFI program supports activities by international experts to find ways to address the problem of illegal logging<ref name="C21">[http://www.sfiprogram.org/forest-conservation/prevent-illegal-logging.php Prevent Illegal Logging]</ref>
The SFI program only certifies lands in the United States and Canada, and program participants must comply with all applicable laws. For sources outside of North America without effective laws, participants must avoid illegal or other controversial sources.<ref name="C20">[http://www.sfiprogram.org/files/pdf/Section7_sfi_requirements_2010-2014.pdf SFI Requirements 2010-2014 Section 7]</ref> The SFI program supports activities by international experts to find ways to address the problem of illegal logging<ref name="C21">[http://www.sfiprogram.org/forest-conservation/prevent-illegal-logging.php Prevent Illegal Logging]</ref>

==Certification convergence==
In its 2009-2010 Forest products Annual Review, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe/Food and Agriculture Organization says: “Over the years, many of the issues that previously divided the (certification) systems have become much less distinct. The largest certification systems now generally have the same structural programmatic requirements.”<ref>[http://timber.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/publications/sp-25.pdf 2009-2010 Forest Products- Annual Market Review]</ref>

In its 2010 Forest Certification: A Status Report<ref>[http://www.dovetailinc.org/files/DovetailCertReport0310b.pdf 2010 Forest Certification: A Status Report]</ref>, Dovetail Partners Inc. states: “Significant changes have occurred within the major certification programs in recent years, and, in several ways, it is increasingly difficult to differentiate between certification systems in North America.”

A National Association of State Foresters forest certification policy statement<ref>[http://www.stateforesters.org/node/1032 NASF Resolution No. 2008-7: Forest Certification Policy Statement]</ref> passed by resolution in 2008 states: “While in different manners, the ATFS (American Tree Farm System), FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), and SFI systems include the fundamental elements of credibility and make positive contributions to forest sustainability. . . . No certification program can credibly claim to be ‘best’, and no certification program that promotes itself as the only certification option can maintain credibility.”


==Critiques==
==Critiques==

Revision as of 03:05, 3 December 2010

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative, SFI Inc., is a non-profit organization with more than 195 million acres (790,000 km2) [1] certified to its 'forest certification standard' in the United States and Canada. The Sustainable Forestry Initiative, which represents some of the largest timber producers of the US and has a less rigorous standard for assessing sustainability than that currently recognized by LEED,[2] is the world’s largest single forest certification standard [3] and recognized globally by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes, which itself is the world's largest forest certifications system. According to the United Nations, SFI is the fastest growing organization for chain of custody certifications.[4]

Forest certification standards

The SFI standard covers key values such as protection of biodiversity, species at risk and wildlife habitat; sustainable harvest levels; protection of water quality; and prompt regeneration. However, these standards have in at least one instance been set aside for the certification of lands held by a company with representatives on SFI's board of directors.[5] A new SFI 2010-2014 Standard, developed through an open review process, took effect on Jan. 1, 2010.[6] All SFI certifications require independent, third-party audits[7] and are performed by internationally accredited certification bodies.[8]

SFI program

The Board of Directors that governs the SFI program has three chambers that recognize economic, environmental and social sectors equally.[9] Directors include the CEOs of major companies in the forest, paper, and wood products industry, including Weyerhaeuser, International Paper, and Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation.[10]

Conservation group support

The SFI Program is supported by conservation groups such as Conservation International, American Bird Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, and the Conservation Fund, and is internationally recognized and accepted by governments, organizations, and companies around the world.[11] Those that recognize SFI-labeled products include the U.S. General Services Administration, the Competition Bureau of Canada,[12] Public Works and Government Services Canada,[13] Environment Canada's EcoLogo,[14] and the United Kingdom's Central Point of Expertise on Timber.[15] In a 2008 statement, the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers included SFI among certification programs that “demonstrate, and promote the sustainability of forest management practices in Canada."[16]

Three key criteria

In its 2009 Seven Sins of Greenwashing report, TerraChoice Environmental Marketing says SFI is a credible eco-label because the SFI program meets three key criteria:[17]

  • third-party certified,
  • publicly available standard,
  • transparent standard development process.

Green building

Many green building tools, including the National Home Building Standard in the United States[18] and Green Globes,[19] recognize wood products certified by credible certification programs, as well as by SFI.

The SFI program only certifies lands in the United States and Canada, and program participants must comply with all applicable laws. For sources outside of North America without effective laws, participants must avoid illegal or other controversial sources.[20] The SFI program supports activities by international experts to find ways to address the problem of illegal logging[21]

Certification convergence

In its 2009-2010 Forest products Annual Review, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe/Food and Agriculture Organization says: “Over the years, many of the issues that previously divided the (certification) systems have become much less distinct. The largest certification systems now generally have the same structural programmatic requirements.”[22]

In its 2010 Forest Certification: A Status Report[23], Dovetail Partners Inc. states: “Significant changes have occurred within the major certification programs in recent years, and, in several ways, it is increasingly difficult to differentiate between certification systems in North America.”

A National Association of State Foresters forest certification policy statement[24] passed by resolution in 2008 states: “While in different manners, the ATFS (American Tree Farm System), FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), and SFI systems include the fundamental elements of credibility and make positive contributions to forest sustainability. . . . No certification program can credibly claim to be ‘best’, and no certification program that promotes itself as the only certification option can maintain credibility.”

Critiques

Marketing practices

On September 9, 2009 the Washington State Forest Law Center, on behalf of the environmental protection group ForestEthics, filed complaints against SFI Inc. with the Federal Trade Commission[25] and the Internal Revenue Service.[25]

The FTC compliant accuses SFI Inc. of misleading consumers with deceptive marketing practices. The complaint cites various aspects of SFI’s marketing, including its claim that it is an “independent” not-for-profit organization, its dependence on the timber industry for funding, and the vagueness of SFI’s environmental standards, which allow SFI-certified landowners to be certified merely because the landowner is complying with state environmental regulations. The complaint cites SFI’s certification as an example of greenwash.

Conflict of interest

The complaint filed with the IRS requests an examination of SFI Inc.’s non-profit status, based on the fact that SFI benefits the private interests of its corporate landowners and not the public interest, as well as the fact that SFI draws more than 80% of its funding from the wood and paper industry.[26] The complaint asserts that in serving the private interests of wood and paper companies that want a ‘green’ image, SFI is inappropriately granted a nonprofit status reserved for public charities.[27]

The Sierra Club

The Sierra Club has lodged a formal complaint with the SFI itself,[28] alleging that the timber company Weyerhaeuser engaged in risky and irresponsible logging on steep slopes that led to 1,259 landslides in 2007 on SFI-certified Weyerhaeuser landsin Washington state.[29][30] Challenging SFI to back up its claims of ‘independence’ and ‘rigorous audits’, the Sierra Club requests in its complaints that Weyerhaeuser’s SFI certification be revoked.

Sources

  1. ^ SFI Marks 2,000 Chain-of-Custody Certified Locations
  2. ^ John Collins Rudolf, "For Sustainable Wood, a New and Unloved Standard" The New York Times, 22 October 2010 accessed 23 October 2010
  3. ^ SFI Inc. Launches New Standard, Leads Forest Certification Forward
  4. ^ 2008-2009 Forest Products- Annual Market Review
  5. ^ High Tension over Big Timber
  6. ^ SFI INC. LAUNCHES NEW STANDARD
  7. ^ Independent Certification Bodies
  8. ^ SFI Accreditation
  9. ^ SFI Governance
  10. ^ SFI Board of Directors
  11. ^ SFI Recognition
  12. ^ Competition Bureau of Canada
  13. ^ Public Works and Government Services Canada
  14. ^ Environment Canada's EcoLogo
  15. ^ United Kingdom's Central Point of Expertise on Timber
  16. ^ Canadian Council of Forest Ministers, 2008 statement
  17. ^ Sins of Greenwashing
  18. ^ NAHB
  19. ^ Green Globes
  20. ^ SFI Requirements 2010-2014 Section 7
  21. ^ Prevent Illegal Logging
  22. ^ 2009-2010 Forest Products- Annual Market Review
  23. ^ 2010 Forest Certification: A Status Report
  24. ^ NASF Resolution No. 2008-7: Forest Certification Policy Statement
  25. ^ a b Complaints filed against SFI
  26. ^ THE FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL AND THE SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY INITIATIVE: POINTS OF COMPARISON
  27. ^ Washington State Forest Law Center complaint against SFI filed with IRS
  28. ^ Sierra Club complaint filed with SFI
  29. ^ High Tension Over Big Timber
  30. ^ [1] Landslide Reconnaissance Following the Storm Event of December 1–3, 2007, in Western Washington

See also

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