NATIONAL

CERTIFICATION
SCHEMES
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2

INTRODUCTION

A National Forest Certification Scheme (NFCS) is a set of standards and criteria

developed by a specific country to assess and certify the sustainability of forest
management practices within its borders. These schemes are typically aligned with
international sustainability principles but are tailored to the unique environmental,
social, and economic conditions of the country in question.
The primary objective of a National Forest Certification Scheme is to promote
responsible forest management that ensures forests are used in a way that
preserves biodiversity, supports local communities, and ensures the long-term
health of the ecosystem
CANADIAN
STANDARDS
ASSOCIATION
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CANADIAN STANDARDS ASSOCIATION

INTRODUCTION TO CSA GROUP
⬩ Non profit
⬩ Voluntary organization
⬩ Established in 1919
Core focus on the development
of standards and products
certification .
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GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE ACCREDITATIO

⬩ Board of directors with 27 members from N PROCESS
academic ,government, Industry and
consulting sector. Standards Council of
Canada (SCC) approves all
national standards.
SCC accredits auditors
qualified to conduct
STANDARDS certifications under the
DEVELOPMENT CSA SFM System.
⬩ Based on six criteria and 17 elements.
⬩ Addresses biodiversity ,maintenance of forest
ecosystems , conservation of soil and water
resources , and societal benefits .
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Canadian Standards Association

Accreditation Process
Accreditation Application Review And Annual
by SCC Submission Assessment Monitoring and
Re-accreditation
SCC accredits Certification organizations SCC reviews • Certification
auditors qualified for submit applications applications, conducts organization are
CSA SFM system addressing independent office and field monitored annually .
certifications. auditing aspects per ISO assessments and • Re-accreditation
requirements. observes SFM audits. required ever 5
years to maintains
compliance with
CSA standards.
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Canadian Standards Association

Certification Requirements
CSA Certification Re-accreditation Key Components
requirements

Based on 6 criteria and 17 Certification organization • Public participation

elements . must be Re-accreditation • system requirements
Criteria address biodiversity every 5 years under the • performance
, maintenance of forest CSA standards. requirements .
ecosystem ,conservation of
soil and water resources,
global ecological
cycle ,societal benefit sand
sustainable development
responsibilities .
Canadian standards association
product tracking and labelling.
CSA Chain of custody system
CSA has a COC system for tracking certified forest products
The COC system tracks certified forest products from the time they
leave the CSA certified forest until they reach their final destination.
Different CoC tracking options under the CSA system include a
physical separation model, a batch model, and a mixed model for
materials.
Companies meeting the CoC requirements can use the CSA SFM
mark, ensuring responsible sourcing and tracking of forest products.
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American Tree Farm System

Established in 1941 in Montesano,
Washington.
Standards
Consist of nine standards, 15
Focuses on certifying forestry performance measures, and
practices of non-industrial private 21 indicators.
landowners in U.S.
Certification
Governance
Process
Standards and guidelines set by the Involves using accredited Tree
American Forest Foundation (AFF) Farm Inspectors for
Governed by the AFF with a Board assessments
Landowners audited every five
of Trustees overseeing operations
years to maintain certification
status.
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American Tree Farm System Standards

and Accreditation
• Established in 1941 in Montesano, Washington.
• Focuses on certifying forestry practices of non-industrial private landowners in U.S.
• Standards and guidelines set by the American Forest Foundation
• 33.2 million acres of privately owned forest land certified in 46 states of USA
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Australian Forestry Standard

Development and Management
Initiation and Support Voluntary Standard
The Australian Forestry Standard (AFS) was The AFS is voluntary, subject to verification
initiated in 2002 with support from the by third- party auditors, and applies to
federal government and industrial both native and planted forests.
associations.
Chain of Custody Standard
Management Organization The AFS has a chain of custody (CoC)
A membership-based organization, the standard for verifying the origin of certified
Australian Forestry Standard Limited, was raw material.
established in 2003 to oversee and manage
the AFS.
Committees
The AFS development and management are
led by a steering committee and a technical
reference committee of 19 members.
Brazilian National Forest
Certification Program (CERFLOR)
⬩ CERFLOR was idealized by the Brazilian
Silviculture Society, together with several
associations, entities, research institutions and non
governmental organizations, as a voluntary
national program of forest management
certification.
⬩ It was launched in a meeting of Competitiveness
Forum for Wood and Furniture Productive Chain, in
August 22, 2002.
⬩ CERFLOR began operation in 2003 as a voluntary
initiative focusing on plantation forests.
⬩ This program developed within the guidelines of
INMETRO.
⬩ The Brazilian govt. through the ministry of
development, Industry and foreign trade (MDIC)
and Ministry of Environment (MMA), has
supported the development of a national
certification program.
⬩ The system is currently developing a standard
for natural forests and has been mutually
recognized by PEFC.
CONMETRO (National Council For Metrology, Standardization
And Industrial Quality)
⬩ The executive body of CONMETRO is National Institute Of
Metrology, Standardization and Industrial Quality
(INMETRO).
⬩ As the sole accreditation body in Brazil, guidelines for
accreditation of forest org. in terms of conformity
assessment based on international accreditation
standards.
⬩ INMETRO has basic requirements for acceptable group of
certification and specific rule for conformity assessment
for chain of custody (CoC) within the CERFLOR framework.
⬩ It operates an independent and impartial system, with an
international and a national credibility, being recognized
by IAF for the quality management system and
environment management system.
STRUCTURE AND OPERATION
⬩ The Brazilian Association of Technical Standards
(ABNT) is a non profit entity recognized by the
CONMETRO as the National Standardization Forum
and it is a founding member of the international
Organization for Standardization.
⬩ ABNT is the body responsible for the process of
elaboration and revision of CERFLOR standards.
⬩ The program has a voluntary character and has
always being opened to the participation of
interested parties.
⬩ During the phase of establishing standards and in
their revisions, the org. and representatives of the
environmental, social and economical departments
take part in elaboration process.
⬩ After the conclusion of projects of standards, they
are submitted to pilot tests and public consultation.
⬩ The suggestions are analyzed and when they are
pertinent, included in documents, and these ones
are published as a Brazilian standard by ABNT.
 Indonesian Ecolabelling Institute (LEI)

The Indonesian Ecolabelling Institute (LEI) was established in 1998 to develop a sustainable forest
management certification system. LET's SFM Certification System was developed with reference to
the principles and criteria of the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and Forest
Stewardship Council (FSC), as well as the environmental management system of the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Phase 1

Initial development and implementation of

the LEI's SFM Certification System, drawing
on established international standards.
 Indonesian Ecolabelling Institute (LEI)

The Indonesian Ecolabelling Institute (LEI) was established in 1998 to develop a sustainable forest
management certification system. LET's SFM Certification System was developed with reference to
the principles and criteria of the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and Forest
Stewardship Council (FSC), as well as the environmental management system of the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Phase 2

Refinement and expansion of the system,

incorporating feedback from stakeholders
and ongoing research.
 Indonesian Ecolabelling Institute (LEI)

The Indonesian Ecolabelling Institute (LEI) was established in 1998 to develop a sustainable forest
management certification system. LET's SFM Certification System was developed with reference to
the principles and criteria of the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and Forest
Stewardship Council (FSC), as well as the environmental management system of the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Phase 3

Continuous improvement and adaptation of

the system to address evolving challenges
and opportunities in sustainable
forest management.
 Malaysian T i m b e r C e r t i fi c a t i o n Council
(MTCC)

The Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) was established in 1999 to develop a voluntary
national timber certification system. The MTCC scheme began operation in October 2001, using a
phased approach. and the Malaysian Criteria, Indicators, Activities, and Standards of Performance
for Forest Management Certification (MC&J).
 Malaysian T i m b e r C e r t i fi c a t i o n Council
(MTCC)

The Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) was established in 1999 to develop a voluntary
national timber certification system. The MTCC scheme began operation in October 2001, using a
phased approach. and the Malaysian Criteria, Indicators, Activities, and Standards of Performance
for Forest Management Certification (MC&J).

Certificate Type Description

Certificate for Forest Management Issued to confirm compliance with forest

management standards and legal timber
harvesting.

Certificate for Chain-of- Custody Issued to manufacturers or exporters who

comply with the MTCC's chain of
custody requirements.
 Keurhout Foundation

The Keurhout Foundation, with support from the Dutch government, developed a system and logo
for timber from sustainably managed forests. It assessed existing certification systems and
provided a label for forest products produced from certified forests. The criteria were set by the
Dutch government and other existing schemes such as FSC and ITTO guidelines.
 Keurhout Foundation

The Keurhout Foundation, with support from the Dutch government, developed a system and logo
for timber from sustainably managed forests. It assessed existing certification systems and
provided a label for forest products produced from certified forests. The criteria were set by the
Dutch government and other existing schemes such as FSC and ITTO guidelines.
 Keurhout Foundation

The Keurhout Foundation, with support from the Dutch government, developed a system and logo
for timber from sustainably managed forests. It assessed existing certification systems and
provided a label for forest products produced from certified forests. The criteria were set by the
Dutch government and other existing schemes such as FSC and ITTO guidelines.

Forest Certification

The Keurhout Foundation certified

39,982,337 hectares of forests in
various countries, including Austria,
Canada, Finland, Sweden, and Gabon.
 Keurhout Foundation

The Keurhout Foundation, with support from the Dutch government, developed a system and logo
for timber from sustainably managed forests. It assessed existing certification systems and
provided a label for forest products produced from certified forests. The criteria were set by the
Dutch government and other existing schemes such as FSC and ITTO guidelines.

Forest Certification Mutual Recognition

The Keurhout Foundation certified The Keurhout Foundation. recognized

39,982,337 hectares of forests in existing certification schemes like FSC
various countries, including Austria, and ITTO, ensuring a high standard of
Canada, Finland, Sweden, and Gabon. sustainability.
 Keurhout Foundation

The Keurhout Foundation, with support from the Dutch government, developed a system and logo
for timber from sustainably managed forests. It assessed existing certification systems and
provided a label for forest products produced from certified forests. The criteria were set by the
Dutch government and other existing schemes such as FSC and ITTO guidelines.

Forest Certification Mutual Recognition Product Labeling

The Keurhout Foundation certified The Keurhout Foundation. recognized The Keurhout Foundation provided a
39,982,337 hectares of forests in existing certification schemes like FSC label for forest products produced from
various countries, including Austria, and ITTO, ensuring a high standard of certified forests, promoting
Canada, Finland, Sweden, and Gabon. sustainability. responsible purchasing.