Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)
SFI’s mission is to advance sustainability through forest-focused collaborations. SFI is an independent, non-profit organization that demonstrates commitment to forests through work in standards, conservation, education, and community. SFI works with the forest sector, brand owners, conservation groups, resource professionals, landowners, educators, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, governments, and universities to achieve a vision of a world that value and benefits from sustainably managed forests.
Our mission
The Oregon SFI Implementation Committee (SIC) promotes sustainable forestry on all forestlands in the state and to promote an understanding of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc. (SFI Inc.)
Learn more about SFI Inc.
Contact Us
Oregon SFI / SIC
PO Box 12826
Salem, OR 97309
The SFI program is a comprehensive set of principles, objectives and performance measures designed to assure that those who adhere to the program manage their forests in a socially acceptable, environmentally responsible and economically prudent manner.
In short, the SFI program is about ensuring that our management and utilization of the forests today will not negatively impact the resources and values associated with the forest (air, water, soil, fish and wildlife, etc.) nor will these activities jeopardize the enjoyment or use of these same forests by future generations. The program defines how the forest and related resources shall be protected, sustained and even enhanced. For example, the SFI program performance measures include indicators addressing prompt reforestation, legal and best management practices compliance, biodiversity, air, water and soil protection, wildlife protection, aesthetics, responsible log procurement and continual improvement of practices as well as encouraging others to act in a like manner. To ensure these resources are protected, the program requires that the performance measures must be met in order for a landowner or company to attain or maintain certification.
The SFI program is governed by an 18-member board of directors made up of three chambers with equal membership and importance to the standard. The chambers are environmental, social and economic and include representatives from academia, conservation groups, non-profit environmental groups, government agencies and the wood and paper industry. The board updates the SFI standard every five years following extensive public review. Further, there is an SFI External Review Panel, which is an independent group of 15 volunteer experts from the environmental, conservation, forestry, academic and public/government organizations that provide an ongoing, independent review of the SFI program. The panel provides advice on ways to improve the quality of the program.
Forest product companies that desire to demonstrate compliance with the SFI standard must submit to an audit by an accredited, independent third party organization that is also independent of SFI. These certification organizations follow international protocol established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) which require a clear separation between the standards developer and the certification body conducting the audit. All certification bodies who wish to perform certification to the SFI Standards must be accredited under the American National Standards Institute-American Society of Quality (ANSI-ASQ) National Accreditation Board.
Today, the SFI program is one of the world’s most rigorous and widely applied standards of sustainable forestry. SFI participants must subscribe to and report annually on their performance regarding the following twenty objectives:
- Forest Management Planning
- Forest Productivity
- Protection and Maintenance of Water Resources
- Conservation of Biological Diversity including Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value
- Management of Visual Quality and Recreational Benefits
- Protection of Special Sites
- Efficient Use of Forest Resources
- Landowner Outreach
- Use of Qualified Resource and Qualified Logging Professionals
- Adherence to Best Management Practices
- Promote Conservation of Biological Diversity, Biodiversity Hotspots and High-Biodiversity Wilderness Areas
- Avoidance of Controversial Sources including Illegal Logging
- Avoidance of Controversial Sources including Fiber Sourced from Areas without Effective Social Laws
- Legal and Regulatory Compliance
- Forestry Research, Science and Technology
- Training and Education
- Community Involvement in the Practice of Sustainable Forestry
- Public Land Management Responsibilities
- Communications and Public Reporting
- Management Review and Continual Improvement
SFI Standards
SFI standards have become the fastest growing, highly trusted solution that can support a growing need for products from the forest, as the drive to reduce carbon pollution and waste intensifies. We are working to shape markets today and ensure that sustainably managed forests will continue to play a crucial role in keeping the planet healthy. Choosing SFI-certified sustainable forest products is a great way to protect species, combat climate change, reduce plastic pollution, and protect water supplies.
The value of forest certification
Supporting forest certification programs is one of the best things you can do for forests. SFI’s commitment to forests is exemplified by our standards, including our on-pack label, and by our work in conservation, community, and education. SFI is the only certification program that takes such a comprehensive approach to the dynamic values of our forests.
SFI is low risk
SFI’s standards are specific to the U.S. and Canada where forests are considered low risk for deforestation and activities like illegal logging. This means that our work, and the companies that support it, can focus on elevating the many benefits that come from forests.
SFI is committed to forest research
The SFI standards require an investment in forest research making forests certified to SFI, North America’s largest living laboratory for conservation related research. We are the only standard that has this research requirement.
SFI is developing leaders in best forest management practices
SFI trains thousands of people each year to understand and practice better forestry practices and learn about the value of forests and the environment. SFI’s 34 SFI Implementation Committees and Project Learning Tree network are instrumental in these efforts.