Finding the Certification System to Fit Your Needs

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The following quick reference guide represents the highlights from the recent comparison by ÉEM inc. of forest management certification schemes in North America. This study is designed to help paper purchasers determine which certification system best suits their environmental paper procurement criteria and is based on an analysis of the written standards.

The schemes compared are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certifications (PEFC).

Highlights of Conclusions & Findings from ÉEM inc.

A sustainable forest is most likely to exist under an FSC certification. FSC strengths include the protection of ecologically important forests and the banning of the conversion of natural forests into plantations. A CSA certification can be acceptable but further knowledge of the forest and management practices is required. The CSA standard does not address forest conversion into plantations, or protection of high conservation value areas and wildlife habitat, other than those protected by government. The SFI program is weaker with respect to forest management practices and the lack of independence in the certification process in the past means that it is still struggling with credibility issues.

Using fibre from certified forests is but one environmental aspect of paper procurement.

The use of recycled fibre is paramount.