Responsible source

Forest certification

Forest certification is a voluntary process used by organizations and consumers of forest products seeking assurances that the wood products they purchase originate from responsibly managed forests. The development of forest certification grew out of concerns relating to the harvest, sale, and transfer of illegal and irresponsibly harvested timber internationally, especially in tropical regions and other areas lacking a robust ecological and social regulatory presence.

Certification entails independent evaluation of forest management and harvesting practices relative to specific standards. Development and implementation of standards varies between and even within some certification schemes. Standards may be limited to forest operations and management plans but can extend to other operational elements such as employment conditions. Additionally, certification programs typically include traceability mechanisms to track materials from the certified forest through manufacturing of products. Verification of standard compliance is completed via third-party auditing.

Across the globe many different voluntary forest certification systems have emerged since initial inception. Several certification systems have mutual recognition policies, such as Europe’s Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and North America’s Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). Other certification systems, such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), operate individually without reciprocity.

In the continental U.S., there are numerous jurisdictions that mandate forest management practices through statutory requirements with subsequent enforcement and fines where practices are found to be not in compliance with the prescriptive regulations. The Oregon Forest Practices Act (FPA) is the statutory requirement in Oregon.

Both voluntary and mandatory requirements are above and beyond the minimum requirements for importing legal wood.

Markets and certification systems

Many forest markets expect or require certification for participation and transaction, while others do not. Access to these restricted markets necessitates some recognized form of certification. Beyond market access, certification permits an additional opportunity for participants to differentiate and market their products. In Oregon, four different certification systems are actively operating: Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), American Tree Farm System (ATFS), and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and most recently ASTM Responsible.

Supporting and preserving forests

The growth, manufacture, and sale of wood products is a competitive global enterprise. However, the international presence and administration of forests facing governmental regulatory standards that address management, harvest, and transactions varies widely both internationally and nationally; ranging from absent to comprehensive. Where this presence is absent or minimal, certification can be a meaningful mechanism to encourage responsible practices and or recognize and benefit practitioners of responsible forestry.

In an effort to support the competitiveness of Oregon wood products and maintain the value proposition for continued forestland presence, an Executive Order was issued to promote forest sector diversification and advance market opportunities for Oregon grown wood. The Executive Order included an evaluation of the degree to which different markets and green building systems recognize Oregon grown wood. This work suggested that Oregon's uncertified forests and resulting products are disenfranchised in certain markets where certification is a requirement despite the presence of mandatory, comprehensive forestry regulations. Based on report and independent evaluation of Oregon's forest practices relative to other certification systems, recommendations were made to certify Oregon grown wood subject to Oregon statute and rule. The ASTM international standard relating to responsible wood was identified as meeting this need.

Responsible sourcing - ASTM standard

ASTM international is an internationally recognized transparent consensus based standard setting organization used to inform and bring standardization to global processes, procurement, and production. The ASTM Standard D7612 was developed to differentiate global wood sourcing and to simplify the specification requirements for purchasing wood and wood-based materials. The standard recognizes three categories of wood products according to production criteria and meets criterion of international and market recognition.

Forests certified a responsible source

The responsible source certification recognizes all Oregon forestland subject to the Oregon Forest Practices Act (FPA) and other related statutes and rules. The FPA along with accompanying operational statutes and rules establishes obligatory requirements for all forest landowners and operators that conduct commercial activity involving establishment, management, and harvesting on Oregon forestlands.

The administration, education, and enforcement of the FPA in conjunction with federal and other state laws and rules address not only forestry, but other resource and social constructs. Establishing certification involved an external third-party audit by an accredited ISO 10765 product certification agency to review the FPA, supporting statutes and rules, and administration and enforcement. Manufacturers who procure Oregon timber harvested under the FPA rules can use the PFS certificate to demonstrate compliance to ASTM D7612.