November 1, 2007 - There was a time when the comment attributed to Brant Olson in your article was correct. But that time is long past. The globe is now replete with certification systems, most of which are under either the FSC or the PEFC umbrellas. These systems offer consumers a wide variety of options as is required for markets to operate efficiently.
Numerous independent studies have analyzed these two international certification systems and found few management differences. An increasing number of large forest products companies have certification by both systems.
What your article points out correctly is that FSC has a political agenda attached to its standards while PEFC systems like SFI, are based on the best science in an effort to guarantee sustainable forest management (SFM). Both the science based approach, and the politically based approach regardless of their respective flaws have created positive changes in how forests are managed, not only in the OECD countries but increasingly in tropical forests as well.
Forest Certification is not a magic bullet. But every year these systems are becoming more rigorous as they strive for more effective standards. The problem arises when one system attempts to gain market share by attacking the others. As your article documents there are real costs for promising much more than can be delivered. Accusing someone of “greenwashing” is problematic when the accuser is committing “greenmail”.
Consumers want sustainably managed forests and the products such forests produce. By promoting SFM, certification systems provide value to forest land which is required to reduce deforestation. Without sufficient commercial value, forests are replaced by agricultural uses especially in the tropics.
Wood products from sustainably managed forests sequester carbon, a green house gas, and are the environmentally sound choice for a world facing global warming. Forest certification is an effective tool to make sure that the fiber in wood products comes from sustainable managed forests that address important social, economic, and environmental concerns in their management plans.
Today a growing number of national governments, states and cities require certified wood in their public procurement policies. This is a sign that these systems are maturing. It is important not to evaluate based on what was but rather to recognize certification for the value it has and is creating in the private market.
Rod Kelty, Director
Woodworkers Department
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO, CLC
Gladstone, Oregon
