Reviews of Alternative Certification Schemes
Eco-Labels.org reviews the SFI system:
Sustainable Forestry Initiative – SFI – American Forest and Paper Association
Label Category : Sustainable Wood
Program Summary
While members of the American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) are required to comply with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) standards, "third-party" certification is voluntary. As of January 2001, approximately 25 out of the 132 AF&PA members are "third-party" certified which is a requirement to use the SFI label.
The SFI program primarily addresses forest management. The objectives of the SFI program have core indicators that must be certified in order to use the SFI label.
The SFI standards do not account specifically for old growth forests; all forests are managed similarly according to the SFI guidelines and standards. The SFI allows the use of genetic engineering in forestry management. The program allows clearcuts, provided the average size does not exceed 120 acres. It requires that companies use forest chemicals such as herbicides "prudently."
The AF&PA uses auditing firms including Price Waterhouse Coopers, BioForest Technologies and Arthur Anderson to perform the certifications and issue the SFI label and considers this as their independent audit. The AF&PA also has an Independent Expert Review Panel to perform site checks to make sure that certified members are in compliance. This panel can make suggestions to the SFB but has no other decision-making authority with regard to the SFI program or standards.
Consumer Union Evaluation
The American Forest and Paper Association’s (AF&PA) Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) program is supportive of a sustainable wood label. There is a set of objectives with core indicators that must be evaluated. However, the standards are modest according to some critics such as the Sierra Club. Some of the indicators are vague or very qualitative, which could limit the consistency of the label among certified forests.
For example, certified companies with research components can simply donate to themselves in order to meet the requirement for funding conservation research. Guidelines do not distinguish between plantations and old growth forests. The AF&PA is transparent about the standards used and the identity of board members who make decisions concerning the SFI program. The AF&PA states that of the 15 person Sustainable Forestry Board (SFB), 40% represent the forest industry and 60% represent groups outside the forest industry which include logging companies, trade associations and non-industrial working forests.
Consumers Union regards these businesses as part of the forest industry. At least 10 of the 14 members listed (one SFB member remains to be determined) thus are from the forest industry and have a vested interest in the wood (or wood products) that are certified. This is a conflict of interest and the AF&PA is not independent from the SFI certified product.
Program Name : Sustainable Forestry Initiative
Organization Name and Contact info
American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA)
1111 Nineteenth Street NW, Suite 800
Washington DC 20036
Phone: 202-463-2700
Fax: 202-463-2785
URL: www.afandpa.org
Email Contact: info@afandpa.org
Organization Summary History
The American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) is a trade association for the wood and paper industry in the United States. According to the AF&PA, its 132 (approximately) members represent over 80 percent of the paper, wood and forest products produced in the United States. The AF&PA designed the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standard (SFIS) and requires its members to meet these standards for forest management or verification. There are also 40 non-AF&PA companies that are certified to SFI standards. The SFI program began in 1994 and became a requirement for membership in the AF&PA in 1996. Sixteen members have been expelled for failure to comply with SFI standards and an additional 10 companies resigned from AF&PA due to non-compliance with SFI standards.
Structure
The SFIS has structured it committees so that a multi-stakeholder board (SFB) has been assembled which will have 40% representation from the forest industry and 60% representation from loggers, landowners, and conservation groups. The AF&PA characterizes this 60% as interests outside of the forest industry. The SFB has primary decision making authority to the SFI standards but the AF&PA board will have decision making rights in controversial decisions.
Accreditation
Although the AF&PA has developed the SFI guidelines and standards, it does not accredit certifying agencies. Instead, AF&PA hires auditing firms that have been nationally accredited by the American National Standards Institute for auditing or accredited for ISO 14001 guidelines. AF&PA does have an Expert Review Panel that performs site checks for certified members.
Products Certified under this Label
Cabinets, decking, doors, flooring, furniture, gum, logs, lumber, moulding, paneling, paper, siding, veneer, windows, wood