SFI® Forest Management Certification

Getting certified under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative helps organizations:

• Gain global entry to markets for certified sustainable forest products because SFI certifications are compliant with the internally recognized Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) Standard
• Drive sustainable wood production in the United States
• Ensure that proper procedures are in place for responsible forest management to make reputable claims
• Minimize negative impacts and maximize positive impacts including social, economic, and environmental
• Reduce risks and identify additional steps that can be taken to further reduce risk
• Demonstrate commitment to sustainability to stakeholders

Dual FSC Forest Management and SFI certification further amplifies your commitment to responsible forest management and demonstrates to your supply chain that they are purchasing certified wood, backed by the most stringent standards.

SCS offers both certifications as a bundled package, as well as providing certifications to FSC Chain of Custody, SFI Chain of Custody and PEFC Chain of Custody standards, and timber legality, carbon footprint, and forest carbon offset verifications. Contact us to find out which certification best suits your organization.

1. Apply for Certification

   Representatives of your forest management operation fill out an application.

2. Audit Proposal

   SCS evaluates the application and prepares a proposal, including the costs and a timeline for the evaluation process. The applicant then authorizes a work order and the certification process begins.

3. On-Site Audit – Stage 1

   The assessment team conducts an on-site preliminary audit to review the applicant’s management system, processes, procedures, and stakeholder information to determine the readiness of the applicant for the stage 2 audit.

4. On-Site Audit – Stage 2

   The SCS team evaluates the implementation, including effectiveness, of the applicant’s management system. The SCS team assesses forest conditions and conducts stakeholder consultations to acquire outside input regarding the applicant’s management performance throughout the certification cycle. Upon completion of all audits, a report is produced that details the results of the evaluation.

5. Certification Decision

   The SCS certification committee reviews the assessment report and decides whether or not to approve certification. If granted, a certificate is issued for a five-year period, subject to annual surveillance audits. Please refer to Forest Conservation Program Forest Management & Fiber Sourcing Certification Manual for details. SCS can also provide client marketing support.

Visit the SFI database here.

1. Search for SFI CoC Certificates at sfidatabase.org/search/search-coc.   
2. Select “SCS Global Services” as the Certification Body to see our certificate holders.

Search for SFI Fiber Sourcing Certificates at sfidatabase.org/search/search-fiber-certs.   
Select “SCS Global Services” as the Certification Body to see our certificate holders.

Search for SFI Certified Sourcing Certificates at sfidatabase.org/search/search-certified-sourcing.    
Select “SCS Global Services” as the Certification Body to see our certificate holders.