Task Force on Forest Management Certification Programs
Chapter 2: SCOPE OF THE REPORT
This report examines some of the programs and efforts initiated or expanded in the past decade for setting standards and evaluating forest management according to those standards. The report focuses on the programs being implemented in the United States and summarizes the current status and descriptions of these programs. Analysis of some standards, evaluation, and certification efforts in other areas of the world, as they relate to the United States, are included. The programs reviewed include a broad array of activities, ranging from environmental systems to voluntary codes of conduct, formalized forest management certification, and on-product labeling.
The task force reviewed six specific programs that set standards and evaluate forest management:
For each of these programs, the report outlines the key operational characteristics, current users and potential users, key differences between the programs and challenges faced by the programs, and their impact on the broader area of forest management standard-setting and evaluations and certification. Off- and on-product claims associated with the programs are discussed as they relate to the programs. The report also discusses the relationship between these programs and the SAF Certified Forester® Program (CF®).
The task force recognized that each program reviewed has advantages and disadvantages to the users or to those affected by the program. No attempt was made by the task force to evaluate the programs relative to each other or to ultimately recommend one or more programs over others. The report does not advocate any particular concept, system, program, or activity for use by forestland owners or managers.
The primary purpose of this report is to provide sufficient information on forest management standard-setting and evaluation and certification programs, so that forestry professionals can understand and evaluate the current and future developments in these programs, and the extent to which they may or may not meet needs of landowners and managers. These programs are expected to continue to evolve.
Based on the analysis of the programs reviewed and consideration of the possible impacts of these programs, the report includes recommendations developed by the task force for discussion and consideration by the SAF Council and SAF members. The task force also has included some guidelines concerning possible roles for SAF chapters and societies in the various programs and processes, as recommended by the House of Society Delegates at its 1998 meeting.
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2 Although the standards in the ISO 14000 series, including 14001, do not specifically refer to forests or forestry, we have decided that, because some forest managers are beginning to use an ISO 14001 management system in combination with their own forest management standards and objectives, for the purposes of the analysis in this report it would be helpful to compare the attributes of what ISO has to offer alongside the other, more forest-specific programs we review.
2a For more information on the Green Tag Forestry® Program, contact the National Forestry Association, 374 Maple Ave., E., Suite 310, Vienna, VA 22180; Phone: (703) 255-2300; Fax: (703) 281-9200.
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