SFI Rolls Out New 2022 Standards and Rules

Sustainable forest management and the procurement of wood products from sustainably managed sources are critical tools that support the long-term sustainability of forests and ensure the multitude of benefits that forests provide for future generations. When supported by the right policy frameworks, sustainable forest management acts as a bold but proven approach to tackling multiple global challenges by doing good instead of just avoiding harm. 

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative®’s (SFI) updated forest certification standards provide solutions to some of the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges. SFI is the largest forest certification standard in the world and its requirements are backed by third-party verification audits. Among other things, SFI certification ensures healthy forests that mitigate climate change, reduce the impacts of catastrophic fire, protect and maintain biodiversity, and verify that fiber is sourced legally and sustainably. 

Standards Built Through Collaboration 

SFI regularly revises and updates the SFI standards to incorporate the latest scientific information, respond to emerging issues, and ensure continual improvement. This open and transparent process includes engaging thousands from the conservation community, Indigenous communities, the forest products sector, brand owners, private forest landowners, public forest managers, government agencies, trade associations, landowner associations, academia, and the public. By leveraging this diverse expertise through focused engagement, and by including open comment periods, SFI creates standards that are grounded in science, include diverse perspectives, and benefit consumers, communities, and, ultimately, forests across North America. 

Starting in October 2019, SFI officially launched a two-year process that included two public comment periods, a dozen webinars, and over 30 task group meetings. Nearly 2,300 individuals and organizations participated in webinars and/or submitted comments on the draft SFI 2022 standards. From this two-year process, major innovative improvements in the SFI standards were made to address key sustainability challenges. The newly- released 2022 Standards and Rules are available online at https://www.forests.org/standards. 

Proactively Addressing Climate Change 

Forests and forest products capture almost 15 percent of our global carbon emissions each year. But to harness and maximize this nature-based solution to climate change, we need to acknowledge and support the role of sustainably-managed forests.  

The new SFI Climate Smart Forestry Objective is a highlight of the new standards. It supports a commitment to ensuring SFI standards address critical global sustainability issues. Forests and forest products play a central role in the carbon cycle and, with proper management, can be one of the most effective nature-based solutions to the climate crisis. SFI-certified organizations are required to ensure forest management activities address climate change adaptation and incorporate mitigation measures. 

SFI is mobilizing forests for climate change mitigation by leveraging the scale of SFI-certified forests, which span across 370 million acres of North America, ensuring that their management contributes positively to carbon capture, climate resiliency, and long-term carbon sequestration. Through science-based management and third-party validated requirements, we can ensure healthy forests for our shared future. 

Reducing the Impact of Wildfires 

Forest fires have long played a role in the evolution and function of natural ecosystems, but now we are seeing an increase in catastrophic fires that have dire consequences for our forests, wildlife, and communities. Sustainable forest management is also a key mitigation tool in the fight against catastrophic wildfires. The SFI Forest Management Standard has a new Fire Resiliency and Awareness Objective that requires SFI-certified organizations to limit susceptibility to undesirable impacts of wildfire, promote healthy and resilient forest conditions through management techniques, support restoration of forests following wildfire damage, and engage in efforts to raise awareness of the benefits of fire management and minimization of undesirable impacts of wildfire. 

Social Responsibility and Indigenous Rights 

SFI’s standards are built on mutual trust and engagement. They help SFI-certified organizations meet societal expectations by ensuring that important issues such as civil rights, equal employment opportunities, gender equality, diversity inclusion, and anti-discrimination and anti-harassment measures are addressed. 

An important component of the SFI standards is to recognize and respect Indigenous peoples’ rights. The SFI standards promote respect for Indigenous peoples' rights, representative institutions, and traditional knowledge, and are aligned with the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Specific measures require that SFI-certified organizations are aware of traditional forest-related knowledge, such as known cultural heritage sites, the use of wood in traditional buildings and crafts, and flora that may be used in cultural practices for food, ceremonies, or medicine. 

SFI’s standards, when leveraged with its three other pillars of work—conservation, community, and education—provide practical, scalable solutions for markets and communities working to pursue a growing commitment to a sustainable planet.  

For a summary of the major enhancements in the SFI 2022 standards, please visit www.forests.org/sfi-2022-standards-and-rules-revision-process. 

For more information about the PA SFI Implementation Committee, visit their website at www.sfiofpa.org or call 888-734-9366. 

Written by: Chuck Coup, PA SFI Implementation Committee Program Manager