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The movement towards wood products certification was initiated at the international level in 1990 with the emergence of new strategies focused on protecting forests through changing the market - giving consumers a choice by certifying products coming from well-managed forests.
In just the past few years, wood products certification has gained recognition in the US marketplace with some of the largest retailers of wood products (i.e. Home Depot and Lowe's) agreeing to give buying preference for products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). (For more information about FSC certification go to: www.fscus.org) The FSC certification system and standards were developed by a consensus of environmental, social and economic interests. FSC certification is the certification program most widely accepted by the national and international environmental community, although many grassroots and local forest protection organizations remain critical of the program.
In response to shifts in the marketplace towards FSC certified products, some of the world's largest logging companies, led by the American Forests and Paper Association (AF&PA), developed their own “Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)” certification system. The SFI standards were developed by the industry, for the industry. The SFI lacks independence from logging companies and fundamentally fails to protect environmental and social values. Many SFI companies log old growth and other endangered forests, log imperiled species' habitats, replace natural forests with plantations and sprawl, and use excessive clearcuts and chemicals. In effect, the SFI certifies status quo industrial forestry practices and is not considered to be a legitimate certification program by forest conservation advocates.
Nonetheless, large paper and logging companies promote the SFI in many arenas, assuring all of their customers, that they are committed to “sustainable forestry” and getting “certified”. Across the South, paper companies are also using the SFI to mislead government officials into believing that they are practicing “sustainable forestry” in an attempt to negate the need for regulation. Unfortunately, some of our elected officials are buying the SFI party line, hook, line and sinker! Regardless of the certification program, certification of wood products should not be seen as a replacement for much needed government policy.
For more information on certification and a comparison of FSC and SFI go to: www.americanlands.org
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