Features Environment & Sustainability
CERTIFICATION: SUSTAINING THE FORESTS

OTTAWA, ON — The Standards Council of Canada has launched a new accreditation initiative that it says “will contribute to sustainable forest management in Canada.” Under the program, the Standards Co…
OTTAWA, ON — The Standards Council of Canada has launched a new accreditation initiative that it says “will contribute to sustainable forest management in Canada.” Under the program, the Standards Council will accredit Environmental Management Systems, or EMS, registrars to register forestry companies that conform with a published SFM standard. The voluntary SFM standard, CAN/CSA Z809-96 — A Sustainable Forest Management System: Specifications Document — involved the support of such groups as the forest industry, woodlot owners, various levels of government, academics, scientists and environmental groups. The standards body said it makes good business sense to register. “By registering their management systems to the SFM standard, forest companies will be able to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable practices,” it said in a press release. The standard describes the requirements to implement an ISO-14000-style SFM system. It was approved by the Standards Council as a National Standard of Canada in 1997. For more information, visit the Web site at: www.scc.ca.