Standard Owner Benchmark - SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY INITIATIVE

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is a North American forest certification program that promotes responsible forest management practices. The program was launched in 1994 by a group of environmental organizations, industry leaders, and community groups, with the goal of promoting sustainable forestry practices and providing consumers with assurance that forest products are sourced responsibly.

The SFI program is based on a set of principles and criteria for responsible forest management, which cover a range of issues, including biodiversity conservation, sustainable harvest levels, protection of water quality and soil productivity, and social and economic benefits for local communities. The program also includes requirements for chain-of-custody certification, which ensures that certified products are tracked throughout the supply chain to provide assurance of responsible sourcing.

The SFI program is overseen by the SFI Inc. organization, which is governed by a board of directors representing diverse stakeholder groups, including environmental organizations, industry representatives, and community leaders. The program has certified over 400 million acres (162 million hectares) of forests in North America, making it one of the largest forest certification programs in the world.

The SFI program focuses on three pillars of sustainability:

-Forest Management: SFI-certified companies must follow sustainable forest management practices, including protecting water quality, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, and respecting the rights of indigenous communities.

-Fiber Sourcing: SFI promotes responsible procurement practices by requiring certified companies to track the origin of their fiber and ensure that it comes from legal and responsible sources.

-Community Engagement: SFI encourages active engagement with local communities, promoting education and outreach programs related to responsible forestry practices and supporting community projects.

By implementing these standards and promoting responsible practices throughout the supply chain, the SFI aims to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of forests while balancing environmental, social, and economic interests.

SFI program is an important initiative that promotes responsible forest management practices and provides assurance to consumers that forest products are sourced sustainably. By working with a wide range of stakeholders, the program helps to balance economic, environmental, and social considerations in the management of North America's forests.