Forest certification is a tool for forestry organizations to have their forest management practices assessed to maintain access to consumer markets. The forest management practices are independently audited to a forest management standard that has been developed according to certain environmental, economic and social values. These standards are accredited independently of government and forest companies. This process requires applicants to demonstrate they are complying with or progressing towards those certification standards.
Forest companies in Ontario are encouraged to seek certification by independent third party organizations.
The Minister of Natural Resources supports the forest industry in their efforts to pursue forest certification. Forest certification will help ensure the Ontario forest industry maintains preference in markets, and will contribute to a more innovative and thriving economy. The forest certification standards being considered by forest companies in Ontario, and are accepted by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, are:
- The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Sustainable Forest Management Standard (SFM), approved by the Standards Council of Canada
- The two standards of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Principles and Criteria for Forest Management that are applicable to Ontario - Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Draft Standard and the National Boreal Standard
- The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)
Figure 1 - depicts the status of forest certification on management units at January, 2013.
