Migration to SFI 2010-2014

New Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI 2010-2014) Standard

In December 2009, Rick Cantrell, Vice President and COO of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc., announced to all certification bodies accredited to offer SFI certification, the release of the new SFI 2010-2014 Standard, portions of which are as follows:   

“I am pleased to present you with the new SFI 2010-2014 Standard, the outcome of an 18-month public review process.

We will officially launch the new standard in the second week of January, and will distribute hard copies of the entire requirements package in the weeks following... (the) PDF version is also posted on (the SFI) website .

You will see with the attached that we have created one PDF document containing all of the 2010-2014 program requirements, with unique sections for the standard, rules for label use, procedures, guidance and more. This makes the materials easier to use, and also allows us to accommodate a new module process to address emerging issues and new opportunities that may arise before the next standard review.  When we update our website in early January we’ll also provide each individual section as a downloadable PDF for ease of reference.  

I would welcome your participation in one of three webinars we have scheduled to discuss the new standard. I will be hosting these webinars from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EST on Jan. 14, Feb. 18 and March 18.  These are open to anyone interested in learning more about the SFI 2010-2014 Standard and each will cover the same content, only differing in terms of the question & answer period.  To register online, visit (the SFI) website .

There is agreement by SFI, SCC and ANAB for the following additional requirements relating to the transition of accredited certification to the revised standard:

1. All SFI 2005-2009 Standard certificates expire December 31, 2011.

2. Issuance of SFI 2010-2014 Standard certificates may be based on surveillance audit findings but must include assessment of conformance with all relevant elements of SFI 2010-2014 Standard.  Expiry date of new certificates issued based on surveillance audits to be the earlier of December 31, 2012 or 5 years after the issuance of the most recent SFI 2005-2009 Standard certificate, at which point a re-registration would be required. 

3. Certification bodies may apply to be accredited as competent by SCC, Canada's national accreditation body, in accordance with the international standards ISO/IEC 17021:2006, that specifies the requirements for bodies providing auditing and certification of sustainable forest management systems, and ISO/IEC 17011:2004, that specifies the requirements for accrediting such bodies. 

Additional SCC SFI 2010-2014 Transition Requirements:

To support Certification Bodies’ (CB) transition of certifications to SFI 2010-2014, the SCC is requiring CBs to identify a transition plan for implementation of SFI 2010-2014 that includes the following: 

a)  Updating of existing documents referencing SFI 2010-2014;  

b) Training of assessors and relevant certification personnel on the clarifications to the SFI 2010-2014 requirements; 

c)  Plans for verification of effectiveness of training; 

d)  Identification of key dates related to the implementation of SFI 2010-2014 (e.g. Target date for first use); 

e)  Plans for reissuance of certification documents that includes actions for the return or destruction of existing SFI 2010-2014 certificates; 

f) Development and implementation of a communications plan to support the implementation of SFI 2010-2014.  When developing the communications plan, consideration should be given to publicly available information such as websites, client communications and client materials publicizing their certification; and, 

g) The SCC is requesting that CBs post their transition plans to the corporate information folder on Sitescape Forum by March 31, 2010.  Transition plans will be reviewed and feedback provided to the CB on an ongoing basis. Implementation will be verified during regularly scheduled SCC oversight activities.

For additional information regarding the implementation of SFI 2010-2014, please contact your Senior Program Officer.