[GBlist] An FSC vs SFI Comparison

[Sarah Holland/David Foley <hollandfoley@acadia.net>]

This is a comparison of two Wood Products Certification Programs, courtesy
of the staff forester at the Maine Audubon Society, presented for general
information:

> 
> Comparing the Forest Stewardship Council and Sustainable Forestry Initiative
> Certification Systems - 2002
> 
> SIMILARITIES
> Standard    Comparison
> Soil Productivity    FSC and SFI have similar standards for protection of soil
> productivity.  FSC is more specific in terms of protecting soil structure and
> ecological function.
> Water Quality    Standards are roughly equivalent, although SFI places greater
> emphasis on perennial streams, whereas FSC does not discriminate.
> Harvest Rates    Both FSC and SFI require sustainable, long-term harvest
levels.
> Exotic Species    Both programs require that he use of exotic species be
> minimized and that potential risks be carefully evaluated based on the best
> available science.
> Forest Chemical    Both programs emphasize minimizing chemical use.  SFI
> specifies using the lowest toxicity, narrowest spectrum chemicals possible
> while FSC specifically bans chlorinated hydrocarbons.
> DIFFERENCES
> Standard    Comparison
> Protection of Biological Diversity    FSC explicitly requires that ³forest
> management shall conserve biological diversity and its associated values.  The
> FSC standards then go on to outline an approach to forest management based on
> natural species composition and ecological processes. SFI only requires that
> companies ³promote habitat diversity² and wildlife conservation, but does not
> require a comprehensive approach to ecosystem management.
> Plantations    FSC prohibits large-scale conversion of natural forests to
> plantations, but does allow limited planting of native species.  SFI does not
> prohibit conversion of natural forests to plantations.
> Genetically Modified Organisms    FSC prohibits the use of organisms
genetically 
> modified by biotechnology techniques. SFI allows their use if applicable
> scientific protocols are followed.
> Support for local communities and workers    FSC emphasizes practice that
benefit 
> local communities, such as product diversification and hiring qualified local
> workers, and selling to local mills. SFI emphasizes recreation access and
> public education.
> Indigenous Peoples rights     FSC has standards for indigenous peoples rights
and 
> sites of cultural importance, whereas SFI does not.
> Wood Procurement    SFI requires education of loggers and landowners that
supply 
> wood to SFI mills and checks for reforestation and the use of soil and water
> protection practices on non-company lands.  FSC requires that from 30% (for
> paper) to 70% (for solid wood products) of incoming wood be from certified
> lands.
> Audit System and Program Management
> Independence of Auditors    FSC requires third-party audits.  SFI only
requires 
> third-party audits if the audit results are to be publicly announced.  Most
> SFI audits in Maine have been third-party.
> Disclosure    The FSC requires reporting of a summary of the audit results,
> including ³conditions² to the certificate.  SFI only requires that a summary
> of the general results of the SFI standard be reported.  FSC public audit
> results are prepared by the auditors, whereas to date SFI audit reports have
> been prepared by the company that was audited.
> Selection of Standards    All  FSC ³indicators² are mandatory.  SFI has ³core
> indicators² that are required for all audits plus optional ³voluntary
> indicators² .
> Program Governance    Economic, social, and environmental ³chambers² have
equal 
> voice in the FSC.  SFI standards are set by a 15-member board that has 6
> industry seats. The other members were appointed by industry, although new
> members will be appointed by the board itself.
> 
> This chart is based the current (2002-2004) SFI standard and FSC-National
> Indicators (2001) for key program areas.  Both programs have standards not
> reviewed above. Many of the similarities and differences outlined above are
> described in the 2001 Meridian Institute Comparison of FSC and the previous
> SFI standard. The study was sponsored by FSC, the American Forest and Paper
> Association (which created and manages SFI), and The Home Depot.  The Meridian
> study is available at www.merid.org/comparison. 


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