Guidance to Sfi 2015-2019 Standards and Rules

SECTION 6 STANDARDS ANDRULES DECEMBER 2021 EXTENDEDTHROUGH 2015-2019 GUIDANCE TOSFI

J SFI-00001

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GUIDANCE TO SFI 2015-2019 STANDARDS AND RULES

1. INTRODUCTION 2

2. APPLICATION OF THE SFI 2015-2019 FOREST MANAGEMENT AND SFI 2015-2019 FIBER SOURCING STANDARDS 2

3. SFI 2015-2019 FOREST MANAGEMENT STANDARD - OBJECTIVE 1: LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE HARVEST LEVELS 2

4. SFI 2015-2019 FOREST MANAGEMENT STANDARD - OBJECTIVE 1: CONVERSION 3

5. SFI 2015-2019 FOREST MANAGEMENT STANDARD - OBJECTIVE 2: PROHIBITED CHEMICALS 4

6. SFI 2015-2019 FOREST MANAGEMENT STANDARD - OBJECTIVE 4: CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 5

7. SFI 2015-2019 FOREST MANAGEMENT STANDARD - OBJECTIVE 4: WILDLIFE HABITAT DIVERSITY, SIGNIFICANT SPECIES OF CONCERN, AND INVASIVE EXOTIC PLANTS AND ANIMALS 7

8. SFI 2015-2019 FOREST MANAGEMENT STANDARD – OBJECTIVE 8: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ RIGHTS 8

9. SFI 2015-2019 FIBER SOURCING STANDARD - OBJECTIVE 2: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES 9

10. SFI 2015-2019 FIBER SOURCING STANDARD - OBJECTIVE 11: BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS AND HIGH-BIODIVERSITY WILDERNESS AREAS 9

11. USE OF QUALIFIED LOGGING PROFESSIONALS AND CERTIFIED LOGGING PROFESSIONALS 17

12. ILLEGAL LOGGING 18

13. ILO CORE CONVENTIONS 18

14. SFI 2015-2019 CHAIN-OF-CUSTODY STANDARD AND SFI ON-PRODUCT LABEL USE 19

15. SFI IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEES 20

16. TRANSITION TO SFI 2015-2019 STANDARDS AND RULES 21 SECTION 6 GUIDANCE TO SFI 2015-2019 STANDARDS AND RULES | 1/21 1. INTRODUCTION 3. SFI 2015-2019 FOREST MANAGEMENT STANDARD SFI Inc. completes a review of its standards and supporting documents OBJECTIVE 1: LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE HARVEST every five years, which is consistent with international protocols for LEVELS forest certification standard revision cycles. The fourth public review, 3.1 Determining the Most Appropriate Geographic Scale conducted in 2013-2014, led to the SFI 2015-2019 Standards and Rules The intent of Performance Measure 1.2 is to outline the limitations and supporting documents. on conversion and the due diligence process to be followed when Objective 1 Performance Measure 1.1 requires long-term harvest This guidance document is intended to assist SFI Program Participants levels that are sustainable and consistent with appropriate growth and and certification bodies in interpreting and implementing new and yield models. Indicator 1.1.1 lists items required in forest management existing provisions in the SFI 2015-2019 Standards and Rules. planning “at a level appropriate to the size and scale of the operation”, with 1.1.1(d) requiring that “biodiversity at the landscape scale” be This document provides additional information that may help Program factored into forest management planning decision-making. From Participants make management decisions to meet SFI 2015-2019 these requirements it can be inferred that a Program Participant Standards and Rules requirements. SFI Inc. routinely researches ways must base their long-term sustainable harvest level planning at a to improve the functionality of the SFI program; thus this document geographic scale that accurately reflects forest growth and yield may be updated over time. and conservation of biodiversity. Likewise, the requirement that forest management planning shall ensure long-term (one rotation 2. APPLICATION OF THE SFI 2015-2019 FOREST or greater) sustainable harvest levels requires planning to occur on MANAGEMENT AND SFI 2015-2019 FIBER SOURCING forest types in similar biological, geological, and climatic areas. STANDARDS The SFI 2015-2019 Forest Management Standard and SFI 2015-2019 3.2 Acquisitions and Sustainable Harvest Planning Fiber Sourcing Standard apply to management of and sourcing from An SFI Program Participant with a prolonged, accelerated harvest level forests where management intensities are characterized by managed in one operational region cannot “offset” a long term unsustainable natural forests and plantation forestry, regardless of the forest level of harvests through land acquisition. This practice does not products derived from management of such forests. The figure (Figure meet the spirit and intent of the SFI program and to allow this 1) below illustrates the spectrum of forest management systems. practice could result in an imbalance in forest age classes and The SFI 2015-2019 Forest Management Standard and SFI 2015-2019 species composition in certain portions of the Program Participant’s Fiber Sourcing Standards are intended to apply to forest management lands, which in turn could have significant negative impacts on the systems that are classified as natural forest systems, managed conservation of biological diversity contrary to Indicator 1.1.1 (d), which natural forests and plantation forests. Management operations that requires that forest management planning consider biodiversity at are classified as short rotation woody crops or agro-forestry are not the landscape scale. Any acquired lands should be integrated into the within the scope of the SFI 2015-2019 Standards and Rules. organization’s forest management planning, and the organization should recalculate appropriate long-term harvest levels that are sustainable and consistent with accepted growth and yield models by operational region.

Figure 1. Spectrum of forest management systems (green circle) that qualify for certification to the SFI 2015-2019 Forest Management Standard and SFI 2015-2019 Fiber Sourcing Standard (Adapted from Burger, 20021).

Forest Management Systems Natural Forest Systems managed natural forests plantation forests short rotation woody crops Agrosystems

low Soil Manipulation high

low Silvicultural Inputs high

low Potential to Increase/Decrease Soil Productivity high

high Biodiversity low

1 Burger, J. A. 2002. Soil and Long-Term Site Productivity Values. In: Richardson, J.; Bjorheden, R.; Hakkila, P.; Lowe, A. T.; and Smith, C. T. Bioenergy from Sustainable Forestry: Guiding Principles and Practice. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers: 165-189.

2/21 | GUIDANCE TO SFI 2015-2019 STANDARDS AND RULES 2019 Forest Management Standard. on species,habitats forestnative types,orwhere long-term adverse impactsare expected conversion isunlawful,threatens rare andecologically significant converting to adifferent forest cover type.Limitations exist where the on conversion andtheduediligence process to befollowed when The intent ofPerformance Measure 1.2isto outlinethelimitations 4.1 Conversion ofOneForest Cover Type to AnotherForest Cover Type OBJECTIVE 1:CONVERSION 4. SFI2015-2019FOREST MANAGEMENT STANDARD inform itsfuture forest managementplanning. to look backwards over asufficiently long timeframe inorder to retention. Itisexpected thatanSFIProgram Participant hastheability planning inputsanddecisionsmadethrough appropriate document SFI Program Participant must beable to assess theaccuracy ofpast decision makingregarding long-term sustainable harvest levels, an cyclical nature oftheforest products market. To ensure effective yield modelingcapabilities, growing stock, harvest levels andthe needed to reflect changesin factors suchasinventory, growth and Forest managementplansbytheirvery nature are adjusted as due to productivity increases ordecreases”. recalculation ofplannedharvests to account for changesingrowth and Indicator 1.1.4requires “periodicupdates offorest and inventory long-term 1.1.2 requires that“documented current harvest trends fall within harvest levels for areas available for harvest. Likewise, Indicator growth-and-yield modelingcapabilities, andrecommended sustainable the needto have along-term resources analysis,forest inventory, The requirements ofObjective 1,Performance Measure 1.1address 3.4 Record Retention levels over onerotation. planning willachieve areturn to thelong-term sustainable harvest a documented planmust beinplace to demonstrate how harvest In instances where harvest levels are exceeded for extended periods, forests impacted bycatastrophic wildfire, ice storm orwinddamage. health emergencies suchasbeetle epidemicsorsanitation logging of the elevation, examples ofwhichcould includearesponse to forest of timeunless asubstantive ecological rationale isdeveloped to justify allowable annualharvest shouldnotbeexceeded for extended periods plan. Additionally, sustainable harvest levels orgovernment regulated consistent withtheSFIProgram Participant’s forest management and confirming thatanyincreases inplannedharvest level(s) are 1.1, taking into account the maintenance of harvest levels basedonthecriteria specifiedin Performance Measure It isSFI’s expectation thatcertification bodiesshallauditsustainable 3.3 Tempor sustainable levels identifiedinthe forest managementplan” al Scale or specialsites already protected by theSFI2015-

level landscapelevel , biodiversity

GUIDANCE TO SFI 2015-2019STANDARDS ANDRULES “scoped out”ofSFI that isbeingconverted to non-forestzland usesisappropriately The intent ofPerformance Measure 1.3isto ensure thatforestland 4.2 Conversion ofForest Landto AnotherLand Use or future environmental harm(e.g.,climate change). cover type,responding to forest health concerns, ormitigatingpresent are ofecological benefit,suchas returning asite to ahistorical forest It isnottheintent ofPerformance Measure 1.2to limitactivitiesthat of theintended conversion. in accordance withthe scope andscale oftheirorganization andscale therefore, Program Participants are able to structure theassessment The formality oftheassessment hasnotbeenprescribed and outlined in expected to demonstrate proficiency ofassessment ofthe conditions forest cover typeto anotherforest cover type,theProgram Participantis In situationswhere aProgram Participant intends to convert from one conversion sources ). content converted to non-forest landusescannot becounted ascertified forest Second, fiber(roundwood and/orchips)from forestland being under theSFI2015-2019Forest Management Standard. reforestation, etc.) biodiversity, andtherefore could notbecertified SFI 2015-2019Forest Management Standard requirements (prompt converted to non-forest landuseswould notlikely meetanyofthe rationale for thisPerformance Measure. First, forestland thatisbeing 4.2.1 in anyproduct bearinganSFIprogram label(seedefinitionof Indicator Scope ofCertific scope outthelandsthatwillbesold. sales contract isexecuted, theProgram Participant should Standard in conformance withtheSFI2015-2019Forest Management Participant shouldcontinue to managetheseforestlands another landusebythepurchaser. Assuch,theProgram there certainty thattheseforestlands willbeconverted to designated for sale maynotsellintheshortterm noris Management Standard. Insomecircumstances, forestland as forestland consistent withtheSFI2015-2019Forest Management Standard certificate continues to bemanaged the scope oftheProgram Participant’s SFI2015-2019Forest However, itisimportant to ensure thatforestland within SFI 2015-2019Forest Management Standard certificate. on thepercentage oflandthatcan bescoped outofan Forest Management Standard certificate. There isnolimit within thescope ofaProgram Participant’s SFI2015-2019 use isreally aquestion ofwhichlandsare eligible to be guidance, theissue withconversion to non-forest land Notwithstanding thetenets listed inSection3.2ofthis certificates. 1.2.2. until asales contract hasbeenexecuted. Once a ation Two basictenets establish the

3/21 SECTION 6 Program Participants are not restricted in their decision Mining and drilling activities are other examples of making regarding the purchase of or sale of forestland or where Program Participants may have control over forest the movement of forestland (or the quantity) in or out of management, but may not have control over the ultimate the scope of an SFI 2015-2019 Forest Management Standard fate of the land use. In this example, so long as the certificate. Certification bodies must ensure that lands Program Participant is not the party deciding to mine or within the scope of an SFI 2015-2019 Forest Management drill or has not engaged into a contractual relationship Standard audit are being managed in conformance with with a third-party to do so, then lands being managed in the SFI 2015-2019 Forest Management Standard to protect accordance with the SFI 2015-2019 Forest Management the integrity of the SFI 2015-2019 Standards and Rules. Standard may remain within the scope of an SFI 2015-2019 Furthermore, certification bodies and Program Participants Forest Management Standard certificate until such time as must ensure that there is absolute clarity on which forest forest management control is relinquished. lands — whether owned, managed or controlled (see 3.2.2 below) — are included in the scope of the SFI 2015-2019 4.2.3 Accounting for Non-Certified Forest Content Forest Management Standard certificate. Despite efforts to scope out forestlands intended to be converted to non-forest land uses, small parcels of land 4.2.2 Control of Decision Making intended for conversion may remain in the scope of an SFI The issue of control of decision making by the Program 2015-2019 Forest Management Standard certificate (e.g., Participant is the central factor when determining which utility right-of-way, well drilling pad). Accounting for the forestland should be scoped out of an SFI 2015-2019 conversion sources from such small “inclusions” within a Forest Management Standard certificate. When a Program larger SFI certified forest may be impracticable. In order Participant knowingly intends to convert forestland to a to meet the spirit and intent of Performance Measure 1.3, non-forest land use and has control over the process, then Program Participants should make reasonable efforts to the forestlands should be scoped out of the certificate separate conversion sources from certified forest content when the decision is made to convert. where the volume of conversion sources is more than a minimal amount (e.g., 1 percent of the harvested volume). The example above where forestland is being sold or purposefully converted to non-forest land use is relatively 5. SFI 2015-2019 FOREST MANAGEMENT STANDARD straight-forward when it comes to identifying who has OBJECTIVE 2: PROHIBITED CHEMICALS control of decision making. However, there are other The intent of Performance Measure 2.2 is to minimize the chemical examples where control of management practices is use required to achieve management objectives while ensuring the less clearly defined or where control over decisions protection of employees, the public and the environment, including regarding forestland use shifts to a different party after a wildlife and aquatic habitats. To ensure these results are achieved, fixed period of time. Examples of these more ambiguous the use of forest management pesticides must follow federal, state circumstances include long-term leases and timber deeds. and local laws; follow the label instructions, and be implemented with proper equipment and training. Furthermore, pesticides, such Like in the forestland sale example, the decision whether as chlorinated hydrocarbons whose derivates remain biologically to scope forestland in or out of an SFI 2015-2019 Forest active beyond their intended use, as well as pesticides banned Management Standard certificate still rests with the by international agreement, are prohibited for use by Program organization that has control over decisions related Participants. This last requirement is addressed by Indicators 2.2.4 and to management of the forestland in conformance 2.2.5. with the SFI 2015-2019 Forest Management Standard. More specifically, if a Program Participant has forest Indicator 2.2.4: management authority over Objective 1 of the SFI 2015- The World Health Organization (WHO) type 1A and 1B pesticides shall 2019 Forest Management Standard, then such lands can be prohibited, except where no other viable alternative is available. remain within the scope of the SFI 2015-2019 Forest Management Standard certificate until such time as It is the responsibility of the Program Participant to ensure that any control of forest management decisions is relinquished. chemical use in forest management avoids the use of chemicals Likewise, in the case of long-term leases or timber deeds; on the WHO type 1A and 1B list of prohibited chemicals. In the rare if a Program Participant has a reasonable expectation exception where a Program Participant believes a variance on the the lands will remain in a forested condition after their prohibition on the use of a WHO type 1A and 1B chemical is warranted, lease or deed expires, then such lands can remain the Program Participant will submit their rationale to their certification within the scope of the SFI 2015-2019 Forest Management body for approval. The certification body will then monitor the chemical Standard certificate until such time as control of forest usage approved under this variance, should this variance be approved. management decisions is relinquished.

4/21 | GUIDANCE TO SFI 2015-2019 STANDARDS AND RULES imperiled Definition ofF strategies. landsales,easements, conservation exchanges, orotherconservation management, cooperation withotherstakeholders, oruseof independently orcollaboratively, andmayincludeProgram Participant Exceptional Value Conservation . Plansfor protection maybedeveloped imperiled speciesandcommunities alsoknown asForests with associated withviable occurrences ofcritically imperiled and Program to locate andprotect known sites offlora and fauna Indicator 4.2.2: Value requirementsthe biodiversity to Forests withExceptional Conservation Objective 4oftheSFI2015-2019Forest Management Standard extends 6.1 Forests withExceptional Value Conservation DIVERSITY OBJECTIVE 4:CONSERVATION OFBIOLOGICAL 6. SFI2015-2019FOREST MANAGEMENT STANDARD TheConvention/ThePOPs/tabid/673/Default.aspx. on Persistent Organic Pollutants isat:http://chm.pops.int/ The list ofchemicals bannedundertheStockholm Convention chemicals bannedundertheStockholm Convention (2001). Pollutants (2001).There isnooptionofavariance for theuseof of chemicals undertheStockholm Convention onPersistent Organic chemical useinforest managementcomplies withthebanonuse It istheresponsibility oftheProgram Participant to ensure thatany Persistent Organic Pollutants (2001)shallbeprohibited. Use ofpesticides bannedundertheStockholm Convention on Indicator 2.2.5: who.int/ipcs/publications/pesticides_hazard_2009.pdf. The WHOtype1Aand1Blist ofpr miles (10to 50 miles or16 to 80.5kilometers) exist. acres (2,000to 10,000acres or809to 4047hectares), orlinear occurrences, orfew remaining individuals(1,000to 3,000),or very vulnerable to extinction or elimination.Typically, sixto 20 as G2,thatisglobally rare or,because ofsomefactor(s), is Imperiled: linear miles (< individuals (< five or fewer occurrences orpopulations remain, or very few of somefactor(s), especially vulnerable to extinction. Typically, referred to asG1,thatis globally extremely rare or,because Criticall (FECV). (G1) andimperiled y imperiled: Aplantoranimalcommunity, often orests withExceptional Value: Conservation critically A plantoranimalcommunity, often referred to 1,000), acres (< 10 miles or16 kilometers) exist. (G2) speciesandecological communities. ohibited chemicals isat:http://www. 2,000 acres or809hectares), or

GUIDANCE TO SFI 2015-2019STANDARDS ANDRULES

publications. Assessments athttp://www.natureserve.org/biodiversity-science/ for protection. the NatureServe database to identifyspeciesandcommunities In theUnited States andCanada,SFIProgram Participants can use 6.1.1 X: F: H: E: D: C: B: A: Thebasicelement oc Program Participant’s discretion. potential for viability(C-),they are to bemanagedatthe be viable (C+), they shouldbeprotected. Ifthere isless on acase-by-case basis.Ifthey have greater potential to C-ranked occurrences shouldbereviewed andaddressed and communities ranked asAandBare to beprotected. occurrences ofcritically imperiled andimperiled Under theSFI2015-2019F imperiled known sites associated withviable occurrences ofcritically that Program Participants have “plansto locate andprotect The SFI2015-2019F NatureServ of theelement. element, andthenappliedagainst individualoccurrences Rank Specifications isdeveloped andmaintained for each occurrence ranking. Astandard setofElement Occurrence using standard methodologies to yieldanelement viability ofelement occurrences (community orspecies) elements. NatureServe/Natural Heritage Programs rank partners to conserve viable occurrences ofconservation on locating, maintaining records on,and working with NatureServe inventory activitiesfocus andconservation occurrences have agoodlikelihood oflong-term survival. little conservation benefitisgainedunless protected is ofsufficientquality to likely survive long term. Clearly, communities. Aviable speciesorcommunity isonethat of critically imperiled andimperiled or probability ofpersistence, ofparticularoccurrences community. Thenitassesses theestimated viability, which reflects the rarity/imperilment ofthespeciesor process. First, NatureServe determines theglobal rank, imperiled Identification andprotection ofcritically imperiled and

Learn more aboutNatureServe Status Conservation and imperiled speciesandcommunities.” Extirpated Fail Hist Verified e Poor es Fair es Good estimat Exc species andcommunities isastep-wise e Resources for Global andOccurrence Ranks ellent estimated viability ed to find orical timated viability timated viability xtant (viabilitynotassessed) orest Management Standard requires currence ranks are: ed viability orest Management Standard, species and species and species species

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SECTION 6 Element occurrences with poor estimated viability (D) Definitions of these categories are: would not be protected under the SFI 2015-2015 Forest Management Standard. A D rank might result because Size is a measure of the area or abundance of the conservation the acreage of a community or the population of a element’s occurrence. It may simply be a measure of the species is too small, the quality is very low, and/or the occurrence’s patch size or geographic coverage, and it may also ecological processes required to maintain the occurrence include an estimate of sub-population size or density. Minimum are fundamentally altered and un-restorable. E-ranked dynamic area, one aspect of size, is the area needed to ensure occurrences (viability not assessed) should be presumed survival or re-establishment of a population or community after viable and protected until assessed and determined to be natural disturbance. of C- or D quality. Occurrences ranked F are not covered under the SFI 2015-2015 Forest Management Standard since Condition is an integrated measure of the composition, structure only known occurrences are included. Historical (H) and and biotic interactions that characterize the occurrence. This extirpated (X) occurrences are clearly nonviable, and no includes factors such as reproduction, age structure, biological protection activity is warranted. composition (e.g., presence of native versus invasive exotic plants and animals; presence of characteristic patch types), physical In determining the viability and potential to protect and spatial structure (e.g., canopy, understory and groundcover; occurrences, Program Participants are encouraged to spatial distribution and juxtaposition of patch types or seral seek additional information on occurrence ranking stages in an ecological system), and biotic interactions that from NatureServe (www.natureserve.org/biodiversity- directly involve the element (e.g., competition and disease). science/publications) and/or to collaborate with qualified conservation experts. Landscape context measures two factors: the dominant environmental regimes and processes that establish and 6.2 Occurrence Quality maintain the element occurrence, and connectivity. Dominant The following material provides additional information on the environmental regimes include hydrologic and water chemistry standards and methodologies employed by NatureServe in regimes (surface and groundwater), geomorphic processes, determining the quality or viability of occurrences. climatic regimes (temperature and precipitation), fire regimes, and natural disturbances. Connectivity includes such factors For an ecological assessment, scientists and managers want as species elements having access to habitats and resources to know if each occurrence is of sufficient quality, or feasibly needed for lifecycle completion, fragmentation of ecological restorable, before including it in management planning. With communities and systems, and the ability of any element to adequate information, ecologists evaluate and rate the quality of respond to environmental change through dispersal, migration, element occurrences using criteria grouped into three categories: or re-colonization. Criteria for ranking ecological communities size, condition, and landscape context. vary by type. In many instances, criteria are developed for ecological systems, then modified (mostly with size attributes) Characterizing the quality of an occurrence provides the basis for for application to occurrences of individual rare plant assessing stresses — the degradation or impairment — of element associations that may occur among the more broadly defined occurrences at a given site. To assess the quality of element ecological system. occurrences, ecologists must identify the key ecological factors (ecological processes, population abundance, disturbance regimes, 6.3 Guidance on Incorporation of Ecosystems in the SFI 2015-2019 composition and structure, etc.) that support them. Once these Forest Management Standard are identified, it is possible to describe their expected ranges of In the SFI 2015-2019 Forest Management Standard, the term variation and assess whether the on-site factors are within those “ecosystem” or “ecosystems” is referenced in several different ranges or requires significant effort to be maintained or restored to objectives and indicators, yet guidance on how the concept of its desired status. ecosystems should be integrated into sustainable forestry is lacking. Ecosystems represent the integration of biotic (e.g., plants, animals) Key ecological factors vary by element type, but all are grouped into and abiotic (e.g., soils, water) elements of the environment. In the three categories of size, condition and landscape context. Each of these context of sustainable forestry key components of ecosystems include: three categories is reviewed and ranked for each occurrence as A 1) forest composition; 2) forest structure; 3) connectivity across (excellent), B (good), C (fair) and D (poor). The break between C and D landscapes; and 4) how ecological processes like competition, nutrient establishes a minimum quality threshold for occurrences. Occurrences cycling, or herbivory influence the sustainability of forest ecosystems. ranked D are typically presumed to be beyond practical consideration for ecological restoration. In subsequent management planning, these Sustainable forestry is based on applying management at multiple ranks and underlying criteria aid in focusing conservation activities and scales with most SFI Program Participants operating at stand to measure progress toward local conservation objectives. landscape scales. The guidance provided is not a template for

6/21 | GUIDANCE TO SFI 2015-2019 STANDARDS AND RULES in size/densityorstand age(ineven-aged management systems), as multiple forest stands,forest structure isoften basedondifferences 4.1.6, Performance Measure 4.3,Objective 6).Atlarger scales, like (Indicator 4.1.2),and protection ofspecialsites (Indicators 4.1.5, distributions (Indicator 1.1.1a,1.1.1h),retention ofhabitat (Performance Measure 2.1),tree stocking (Indicator 2.1.2),size Program Participants have criteria for thedesired forest composition woody debris.Withinastandanddependingonthesituation, including thephysical arrangement oftrees, snags,anddown Within forest stands,structure refers to anumberofcharacteristics, Forest Structure cover typesorotherlandcover classes. across multiple ownerships —Indicators 4.1.3,4.1.4)interms offorest 4.1.2); and3)landscape competing vegetation, andstructural retention practices (Indicator considerations includingtree speciescomposition, management of planting orregeneration stock (the“genetic” level”); 2)stand (e.g., highgrowth rates, drought resistant, diseaseresistance) of think ofcomposition atthree levels: 1)forest healthandproductivity microclimate, andmoisture availability. Forest managers tend to Forest composition isclosely linked to abioticfactors like soil, Forest Composition Performance Measure 4.4). 4.1.1), andForests withExceptional Value Conservation (Indicator 4.2.2, 4.2.2, Performance Measure biological 4.3),native (Indicator diversity 4.1.1, 4.1.2,4.1.5),ecological community types (Indicators 4.1.1, environment through theaccounting ofwildlife habitats (Indicators diversity (Performance Measure 2.4).Additionally, ofbiological theconservation Measure 2.1),andduringimplementation offorest protection decisions (Indicator 1.2.2b),forest regeneration (Performance required to integrate bioticandabioticelements inforest conversion of theirforest planningprocesses. Program Participants alsoare resources (Indicators 1.1.1i,3.2.2,3.2.3,4.1.6,4.2.2,4.2.3)aspart information (Indicator system 1.1.1g),andinformation onnon-timber 1.1.1e, Performance Measure 2.3),up-to-date mapsorageographic (Indicator 1.1.1c),soilsinventory andmaps,where available (Indicator Program Participants are required to have landclassification a system into sustainable forest managementfor Program Participants. landscape scale mappingandplanningthatincorporates ecosystems with Exception Values Conservation (FECV),provide thefoundation for by non-timberinformation like non-forested andForests wetlands The combination offorest cover typeandsoilsmaps,supplemented Integrating theBioticandAbioticElements oftheEnvironment ecological processes. 1) forest composition, 2)forest structure, 3)connectivity, and4) consistent withthefour aforementioned components ofecosystems: component ofsustainable forest management.Theguidance is Standard are relied onto demonstrate how ecosystems are anintegral and approved elements oftheSFI2015-2019Forest Management ecosys tem management.Rather,currently accepted SFIdefinitions inherently integrates thebioticandabioticelements ofthe scale considerations (across ownerships or elements level level activities activities

GUIDANCE TO SFI 2015-2019STANDARDS ANDRULES EXOTIC ANDANIMALS PLANTS SIGNIFICANT SPECIESOFCONCERN, ANDINVASIVE - OBJECTIVE 4:WILDLIFEHABITAT DIVERSITY, 7. SFI2015-2019FOREST MANAGEMENT STANDARD animals. diversity, significant speciesof concern exotic andinvasive plants and diversity. performance measures andindicators for ofbiological conservation Objective 4intheSFI2015-2019Forest Management Standard includes biological andwildlife habitat. diversity harvesting, reforestation, andmaintenance orenhancement of are influenced byactive orpassive managementactivitiesincluding the ecological processes thatsustain composition andstructure disturbances (Indicator 4.1.8).Inmanycertified forest landscapes, function (Objective 3),andconsideration oftherole ofnatural Measure 2.1),forest health(Performance Measure 2.4),hydrological sustainable forestry, includingforest reforestation (Performance recognizes numerous ecological processes thatare important to connectivity. TheSFI2015-2019Forest Management Standard explicitly Ecological processes helpsustain forest composition, structure, and Ecological Processes assessments ofconnectivity (Performance Measure 4.2). explicitly concern identifyspeciesofconservation thatwarrant direct (Objective 5).Incertain situations,someProgram Participants may Performance Measure 4.3),andthrough aesthetic considerations forested areas, andotherecological sites (Indicators 4.1.5;4.1.6; the protection ofriparianzones(Performance Measure 3.2),non- limitations onforest conversion (Performance Measures 1.2,1.3), 2.1), limitations onclearcut harvest area sizes(Indicator 5.2.1), requirements for prompt forest reforestation (Performance Measure indicators thatbothdirectly andindirectly influence connectivity via move. TheSFI2015-2019Forest Management Standard contains are arranged ina landscape suchthatgenesandspeciescan forest cover typesorhabitats that are notphysically touching but the managedforest landscape. Functional connectivity refers to touching, providing theabilityofgenesandspeciesto move through connectivity refers to forest cover typesorhabitats physically of asstructural orfunctional.Asthelabelsimply, structural Connectivity can beassessed atmultiple scales andcan bethought (Indicators 4.1.5,4.1.6;Performance Measure 4.3;Objective 6). 4.1.2, 4.1.3),andprotection ofotherecologically important sites 3.2), provision ofdiverse forest coverand structures types (Indicators occurs through protection ofriparianzones(Performance Measure Integration ofconnectivity into sustainable forest management Connectivity ownerships (Indicator 4.1.3). across entire ownerships, orinsomeinstances across multiple the diversity ofsize,density,orageclasses inmanagementblocks, even larger scales (e.g.,landscapes), forest managers tend to portray the locations ofspecialsites(Indicators andwetlands 3.2.2,3.2.3).At classification system often includesinformation onriparianzonesand portrayed byalandclassification system (Indicator 4.1.3).Thisland Additional information isprovided here for wildlife habitat

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SECTION 6 7.1 Wildlife Habitat Diversity ecosystem, whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic Performance Measure 4.1 in the SFI 2015-2019 Forest Management or environmental harm or harm to human health.” Examples would Standard includes programs to incorporate conservation of include the gypsy moth and kudzu, but not the barred owl. biological diversity and to recognize the value of a diversity of habitats to support fish and wildlife habitats. Early successional SFI Program Participants should become knowledgeable about forest stages, for example, are particularly lacking in certain invasive exotic plants and animals within their area of operation. The regions of the U.S. and Canada, and managing for them can aid expectation is that they will participate in cooperative efforts by in preventing the decline of species dependent on them (e.g., others (e.g., government agencies or non-government environmental ruffed grouse). Historically, fires and other natural disturbances organizations) and work proactively within their own programs created forest openings and the types of habitat needed by these (e.g., erosion control or seed selection for wildlife plots) to limit the early succession forest dependent species. As forests across introduction, impact, and spread of invasive exotic plants and animals. the landscape mature, this type of habitat declines in abundance. Indicator 4.1.7 does not require SFI Program Participants to eliminate However, it can easily be created by proper selection of harvesting invasive exotic plants and animals on their land. In some places invasive m e t h o d s i n c l u d i n g c l e a r c u t t i n g a n d t h e u s e o f p r e s c r i b e d fi r e . exotic plants and animals are well established and eradication by the SFI Program Participants is unrealistic. 7.2 Significant Species of Concern Indicator 4.1.5 requires a program to address conservation of known Experts in this area believe the most effective means of addressing sites with viable occurrences of significant species of concern. invasive exotic plants and animals include: • awareness building; The intent of Indicator 4.1.5 is for Program Participants to (1) evaluate • monitoring; conservation of species or communities that are not state, provincially • preventing new introductions; and or federally threatened or endangered or ranked G1 or G2; (2) select • eliminating new occurrences. appropriate species of concern that are significant; and (3) incorporate conservation actions for the selected species into management. SFI Program Participants should emphasize these as priorities in their programs. Forest practices that reduce the abundance It is recognized that lists of “special concern species,” “rare species,” of invasive exotic plants and animals are preferred if they can be “species of greatest conservation need,” or similarly described lists addressed within the context of the SFI Program Participant’s overall have been published by state/provincial or federal agencies or others. management objectives. It is not the intent of this indicator to imply that any particular species on such lists become a requirement under this indicator, rather that 8. SFI 2015-2019 FOREST MANAGEMENT STANDARD – such lists may serve as a source of information on potential significant OBJECTIVE 8: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ RIGHTS species of concern. 8.1 Aboriginal Title When determining whether or not a species is significant, a SFI 2015-2019 Forest Management Standard Performance Measure Program Participant may consider rarity, regional importance, 8.1 requires that Program Participants recognize and respect and sensitivity to, or reliance upon, forest management activities. Indigenous Peoples’ rights. Additionally, Objective 9 requires Program Resources for determining rarity may include NatureServe G or S Participants to comply with all applicable federal, provincial/state ranks, International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List and laws and regulations. federal, provincial or state lists. Resources for determining regional importance may include The Nature Conservancy Eco-regional Plans, On June 26, 2014 the Supreme Court of Canada provided a significant State Wildlife Action Plans or other credible conservation plans. ruling on the occurrence of Aboriginal title in Canada (Tsilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia, 2014 SCC 44). The Tsilhqot’in decision The intent is for conservation to occur on Program Participants’ lands. is significant as it recognizes “Aboriginal title” over 1,900 km2 of Program Participants are not required to survey to determine known Tsilhqot’in territory establishing what is a new form of land tenure in sites. Occurrence information can be drawn from NatureServe, state/ Canada. This decision will have implications for Canadian Program provincial natural resource agencies, Conservation Data Centre and Participants as First Nations legally establish “Aboriginal title” on other eco-regional mapping efforts. territories that are currently non-treaty lands.

7.3 Invasive Exotic Plants and Animals With this legal precedent in place, Program Participants must ensure Indicator 4.1.7 addresses invasive exotic plants and animals. they are in compliance with all applicable laws including recent court decisions that bear on forest management and land tenure. Certified According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Program Participants operating in non-treaty areas of Canada over Health Inspection Service, invasive exotic plants and animals are which “Aboriginal title” claims are made should be aware of the recent “any species, including its seeds, eggs, spores, or other biological Supreme Court of Canada decision (Tsilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia, material capable of propagating that species, that is not native to that 2014 SCC 44) and the tests for and content of “Aboriginal title” to land.

8/21 | GUIDANCE TO SFI 2015-2019 STANDARDS AND RULES suppliers throughout thesupply stream. the importance ofbestmanagement practices andtheirusebyall best management practices , thisnew indicator willfurtherhighlight material from theirsuppliers to ensure they dorequire theuseof beyond reviewing Program Participants’ contracts for purchasing raw While itisnotpractical to have auditingrequirements thatgo application withanew indicator: strengthened requirements for bestmanagement practices training andresearch. TheSFI2015-2019FiberSourcing Standard requirements for on-the-ground management,monitoring, is emphasizedintheSFI2015-2019FiberSourcing Standard with is acritical component ofsustainable forest managementand The useofbestmanagement practices to protect water quality management practices to adherence to bestmanagement practices: “To monitor theuseofbest Objective 2oftheSFI2015-2019FiberSourcing Standard calls for OBJECTIVE 2:BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES 9. SFI2015-2019FIBERSOURCINGSTANDARD - Resources Institute, Conservation International, Alliance for Zero This documentprovides additionalinformation drawn from theWorld 1. Indicator: forestry, including efforts to promote their fibersourcing programs supporttheprinciples ofsustainable Performance Measure 11.1.Program Participants shallensure that sourcing programs. hotspotswildernessbiodiversity andhigh-biodiversity areas infiber Objective 11.To promote ofbiological theconservation diversity, hotspots wilderness andhigh-biodiversity areas. areas outsideoftheUnited States andCanadaidentifiedasbiodiversity sourcing policies that promote of conservation forests and Objective 11oftheSFI2015-2019FiberSourcing Standard calls for fiber BIODIVERSITY WILDERNESS AREAS OBJECTIVE 11:BIODIVERSITYHOTSPOTS ANDHIGH- 10. SFI2015-2019FIBERSOURCINGSTANDARD - from thefollowing sources: promotes ofbiological conservation , utilizinginformation diversity Fiber sourcing provisions requiring theuseofbestmanagement practices.” sourced directly from theforest isrequired andmust include “2.1.2 Useofwritten agr b. a. identified byConservation International; and ho biodiversity Conservation ofNature, andNatureServe. for Zero Extinction,World Wildlife Fund, International Unionfor organizations suchasthe World Resources Institute, Alliance rar e speciesandhabitat information derived from from areas outsidetheUnited States andCanada high-biodiversity wildernesstspots andhigh-biodiversity protect water quality.” eements for thepurchase ofraw material of conservation biological diversity. biodiversity biodiversity

areas

as as in in GUIDANCE TO SFI 2015-2019STANDARDS ANDRULES value, andworks to protect them. maintains alist ofglobal priorityareas withexceptional biological partnership andfielddemonstration. Conservation International the well-being ofhumanitythrough astrong foundation ofscience, empower societiesto responsibly andsustainably care for nature for overseas. Conservation International (www..org)conservation seeksto of potential concern for Program Participants whosource fiberfrom areas (formerly majortropical wilderness areas) to identifyareas hotspotswildernessdefinitions ofbiodiversity andhigh-biodiversity Since 2002,theSFIprogram hasrelied onConservation International’s Hotspots Wilderness10.1 Biodiversity andHigh-Biodiversity Areas and conservation entities andothers to provide additionalguidance onaligningbusiness Participants efforts to protect remaining biologically diverse habitats. Program production needsfrom plantations andmanagedforests enhances affect thosehabitats. the designationandwork to avoid actionsthatmaydetrimentally from withinidentifiedareas ofhighbiodiversity primary vegetation. To thisend,Program Participants procuring fiber serve to cause orencourage furtherdestruction ofremaining original are secured from areas harvested legally, andavoiding actionsthat Rather, theemphasisisonseekingassurance thatfiberand logs or procurement activitiesfrom allforests withintheseareas. mean thatProgram Participants must cease allraw material Compliance withtheSFI2015-2019FiberSourcing Standard doesnot Standard: of Biological Conservation Diversity. section regarding Objective 4intheSFI2015-2019Forest Management and imperiled by NatureServe orequivalent processes to identifycritically imperiled SFI 2015-2019Forest Management Standard, theseareas are addressed partially withintheUnited States andCanada.For thepurposesof Areas identifiedbyanyoftheseorganizations maybewholly or implementing theserequirements. of Nature andNatureServe to aidSFIProgram Participants in Extinction, World Wildlife Fund, International Unionfor Conservation

10.1.1 can work organizations, withconservation government biodiversity hotspots.biodiversity all terrestrial vertebrate speciesare endemicto the34 50 percent oftheworld’s plantspeciesand42percent of at least 70percent ofitsoriginalnatural vegetation. Over Each hotspotfaces extreme threats andhasalready lost habitat covers only 2.3percent oftheEarth’s landsurface. endemic species,yet theircombined area ofremaining hotspotsThe biodiversity holdespecially highnumbers of Biodiversity Ho Biodiversity species andcommunities inNorthAmerica (seeearlier objectives withintheseregions. Working to increasingly meetfiberand wood tspots

should beaware of

9/21 SECTION 6 Africa and Madagascar JAP AN CAPE FLORISTIC REGION The islands that make up the Japanese Archipelago stretch Evergreen fire-dependent shrublands characterize the from the humid subtropics in the south to the boreal zone in the landscape of the Cape Floristic Region. north, resulting in a wide variety of climates and ecosystems.

COAST AL FORESTS OF EASTERN AFRICA MOUNTAINS OF SOUTHWEST CHINA Though tiny and fragmented, the forest remnants that With dramatic variations in climate and topography, the make up the Coastal Forests of Eastern Africa contain Mountains of Southwest China support a wide array of habitats remarkable levels of biodiversity. including the most endemic-rich temperate flora in the world.

EASTERN AFROMONTANE NEW CALEDONIA The mountains of the Eastern Afromontane hotspot are An island the size of New Jersey in the South Pacific Ocean, scattered along the eastern edge of Africa, from Saudi New Caledonia is the home of no less than five endemic plant Arabia in the north to Zimbabwe in the south. families.

GUINEAN FORESTS OF WESTERN AFRICA NEW ZEALAND The lowland forests of West Africa are home to more than A mountainous archipelago once dominated by temperate a quarter of Africa’s mammals, including more than 20 rainforests, New Zealand harbors extraordinary levels of species of primates. endemic species.

HORN OF AFRICA PHILIPPINES The arid Horn of Africa has been a renowned source of More than 7,100 islands fall within the borders of the biological resources for thousands of years. Philippines hotspot, identified as one of the world’s biologically richest countries. MADA GASCAR & THE INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS Madagascar and its neighboring island groups have an POLYNESIA-MICRONESIA astounding total of eight plant families, four bird families, Comprising 4,500 islands stretched across the southern Pacific and five primate families that live nowhere else on Earth. Ocean, the Polynesia-Micronesia hotspot is the epicenter of the current global extinction crisis. MAPUTALAND-PONDOLAND-ALBANY Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany, which stretches along the SOUTHWEST AUSTRALIA east coast of southern Africa below the Great Escarpment, The forest, woodlands, shrublands and heath of Southwest is an important center of plant endemism. Australia are characterized by high endemism among plants and reptiles. SUCCULENT KAROO The Succulent Karoo of South Africa and Namibia boasts SUNDALAND the richest succulent flora on earth, as well as remarkable The spectacular flora and fauna of the Sundaland Hotspot are endemism in plants. succumbing to the explosive growth of industrial forestry in these islands. Asia-Pacific EAST MELANESIAN ISLANDS WALLA CEA Once largely intact, the 1,600 East Melanesian Islands The flora and fauna of Wallacea are so varied that every island are now a hotspot due, sadly, to accelerating levels of in this hotspot needs secure protected areas to preserve the habitat loss. region’s biodiversity.

HIMALAY A WESTERN GHATS & SRI LANKA The Himalaya Hotspot is home to the world’s highest Faced with tremendous population pressure, the forests of the mountains, including Mount Everest. Western Ghats and Sri Lanka have been dramatically impacted by the demands for timber and agricultural land. INDO-BURMA Encompassing more than two million square kilometers Europe and Central Asia of tropical Asia, Indo-Burma is still revealing its biological CAUCASUS treasures. The deserts, savannas, arid woodlands and forests that comprise the Caucasus hotspot contain a large number of endemic plant species.

10/21 | GUIDANCE TO SFI 2015-2019 STANDARDS AND RULES

plant species,40percent ofwhichare endemic. The AtlanticForest oftropical SouthAmerica boasts 20,000 ATLANTIC F South America contain manycenters oflocal endemism. and basinsthatmake uptheIrano-Anatolian Hotspot Basin andthedryplateaus ofWestern Asia,themountains Forming anatural barrierbetween theMediterranean A virtualcontinental island boundedbythePacific Ocean, South America. the country, isthemost extensive woodland-savanna in quetzals, howler monkeys and17,000plantspecies. world’s hotspots.Theirspectacular endemicspeciesinclude The Mesoamerican forests are thethird largest amongthe deep canyons. is anarea ofruggedmountainous terrain, highrelief and southern United States, theMadrean Pine-OakWoodlands isolated mountaintop islandsinBajaCalifornia andthe Encompassing Mexico’s mainmountain chains,and MADREAN PINE-OAK W The CaribbeanIslandssupporte CARIBBEAN ISLANDS North andCentral Americ the “roof oftheworld.” Mountains ofCentral Asiawere known to early Persians as Comprising tw MOUNTAINS OFCENTRALASIA the numberfound inalltherest ofEurope. endemic vascular plantspeciesare more thanfour times The flor MEDITERRANEAN BASIN IRANO-ANAT CHILEAN WINTERRAINFALL-V The Cerrado r CERRADO MESOAMERIC and encroachment. scrublands, whichhave beendevastated bydeforestation ecosystems, ranging from montane cloud forests to cactus plant endemismcharacteristic oftheseregions. Mediterranean-type climate andhasthehighlevels of The California Floristic Province isazoneof CALIFORNIA FLORISTIC PROVINCE a of the Mediterranean Basin is dramatic. Its 22,500

OREST OLIAN A egion ofBrazil, comprising 21percent of o ofAsia’s majormountain ranges, the

OODLANDS

a a

ALDIVIAN FOREST

xceptionally diverse

GUIDANCE TO SFI 2015-2019STANDARDS ANDRULES

further details. further details. information oneachresource andinternet linksare provided for Standard. Thisinformation isintended to provide background referenced inIndicator 11.1.1.b intheSFI2015-2019FiberSourcing The following table provides information oneachorganization 10.2 Resources for ofBiological theConservation Diversity 10.1.2

majority ofallknown cactus species. species thananyotherdesertontheplanet,including and thesouthwestern United States contains more unique Spanning nineSouthAmerican c Amazonia forests have remained intact. in theregion, agreat portionoftheremote CongoBasin tropical wilderness intheworld. Unlike otherlandscapes nowhere else. 40,000 speciesofplants,withthree-quarters ofthemfound wilderness isunlike anyother,supportingmore than This arid,mos North American Deserts Sev Congo Basin Miombo-Mopane Woodlands andSav who dependonitsnatural resources. countries, supportinglarge numbers ofwildlife in theworld, thiswilderness region stretches across 10 Quite possibly thesingle largest block ofdrywoodlands Southern Africa flora and fauna. Winter Rainfall-Valdivian Forest harbors richly endemic the AndesMountains andtheAtacama Desert,theChilean yet to bediscovered. thousands ofspeciesknown to science, andpossibly many Asia-Pacific. New Guineaanditsneighbors are home to contain thelargest remaining wilderness intheentire to theeast. hotspots: Mesoamerica to thenorthandTropical Andes Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena isbordered bytwo other TUMBES-CHOCÓ-MAGD than onepercent oftheworld’s landarea. Andes region contains aboutasixthofallplantlife inless The riches TROPICAL ANDES The w New Guinea High-Biodiversity Wildernes High-Biodiversity vegetation isstill over 70percent intact. High-biodiversity wilderness areas are areas where the en African nationsshare thesecond-largest expanse of orld’s biggest tropical islandanditsoutlying islands

t andmost diverse region onEarth,theTropical

tly desertregion covering northernMexico

ALENDA

s Areas ountries, the Amazonia ountries, theAmazonia

annas of and people

11/21 SECTION 6 The following table provides information on each organization referenced in Indicator 11.1.1.b in the SFI 2015-2019 Fiber Sourcing Standard. This information is intended to provide background information on each resource and internet links are provided for further details.

Organization and website Overview of organization How sites are classified For more information and goals

Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) AZE is a joint global initiative AZE has identified the last The Alliance for Zero Extinction of 52 biodiversity conservation remaining sites for the world’s has released an updated set (http://www.zeroextinction.org) organizations, aimed to prevent most highly threatened species, of sites, coinciding with the extinctions by identifying and 93 percent of which are 2010 meeting of the parties on safeguarding key sites where threatened primarily by habitat the Convention on Biological species are in imminent danger of destruction. Diversity in Nagoya, Japan disappearing. Its goal is to create The data gathering process was a front line of defense against performed over a period of many extinction by eliminating threats months with input from regional and restoring habitat to allow experts, as well as experts in the species populations to rebound. five AZE taxa (mammals, birds, The purpose of the Alliance is reptiles, amphibians and conifers) to identify sites in most urgent from around the world. The need of conservation, and to data was verified using existing act together to prevent species databases such as the IUCN extinctions. Red List, BirdLife International’s global database, and the Global Amphibian Assessment. AZE scientists, working in collaboration with an international network of experts, have so far identified 595 such sites that must be effectively protected to prevent the extinction of 794 of the world’s most threatened species including mammals, birds, some reptiles (crocodilians, iguanas, turtles and tortoises), amphibians and conifers (many sites have more than one AZE “trigger species” confined to them). Additionally, AZE uses the following criteria to identify priority sites (a site must meet all three to qualify): Endangerment, Irreplaceability, and Discreteness.

12/21 | GUIDANCE TO SFI 2015-2019 STANDARDS AND RULES biodiversity/) International (http://www.iucn.or (IUCN) Conservation raiainadwbieOverview oforganization Organization andwebsite

Union of

Biodiv g/what/

f or ersity

the

tools for conservation biodiversity the knowledge, standards and resources. IUCNalsoprovides the sustainable useofnatural protected areas; andpromoting areas, nationalparksandother managing andrestoring natural to protect specificspecies; animal andplantspecies;action and thousandsofindividual on thestatus ofbiodiversity includes comprehensive research IUCN’s work onbiodiversity conservation. and therefore promote their taxa threatened withextinction, global scale inorder to highlight selected subpopulationsona subspecies, varieties andeven conservation four decades beenassessing the Commission, hasfor more than with theIUCNSpeciesSurvival Species Programme, working Nations andbusiness. TheIUCN organizations, theUnited for governments, community and goals status ofspecies, GUIDANCE TO SFI 2015-2019STANDARDS ANDRULES

Threatened). conservation it notfor anongoingtaxon-specific or thatwould bethreatened were meeting thethreatened thresholds and animalsthatare eitherclose to (i.e., are Data Deficient);andonplants because ofinsufficientinformation Wild; ontaxa thatcannot beevaluated categorized asExtinctorinthe on plantsandanimalsthatare Red List alsoincludesinformation Endangered andVulnerable). TheIUCN those listed asCritically Endangered, higher riskofglobal extinction (i.e., plants andanimalsthatare facing a List isto catalog andhighlightthose The mainpurposeoftheIUCNRed IUCN RedList Categories andCriteria. have beenglobally evaluated usingthe information onplantsandanimalsthat statusconservation anddistribution Species™ provides taxonomic, The IUCNRedList ofThreatened How sites are classified programme (i.e.,are Near users_guide.pdf documents/redlist_website_ http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Red List: A how-to guideto theIUCN http://www.iucnredlist.org/ status ofspecieshere: Access theconservation For more information

13/21 SECTION 6 Organization and website Overview of organization How sites are classified For more information and goals

NatureServe NatureServe is a non-profit The data centers that make up the Nature Serve Explorer Tool conservation organization whose NatureServe network utilize the (http://www.natureserve.org) http://www.natureserve.org/ mission is to provide the scientific core methodology to answer three conservation-tools/data- basis for effective conservation key questions: What species and maps-tools/natureserve- action. NatureServe and its ecosystems exist in a region? How explorer network of natural heritage are they doing (their condition and programs and conservation data status), and which are priorities for Nature Serve Methodology centers are the leading source conservation? Where precisely are they http://www.natureserve. for information about rare found? These questions are answered org/conservation-tools/ and endangered species and through a sequence of iterative steps: standards-methods/ threatened ecosystems. • Develop a list of the elements of natureserve-core- 2012-2016 Goals biodiversity in a given jurisdiction, methodology focusing on macroscopic Biodiversity conservation is guided species groups and ecological by increasingly high-quality and communities. up-to-date scientific knowledge. • Assess the relative risk of Network effectiveness for extirpation or extinction of building biodiversity knowledge is the elements to determine enhanced. conservation status and set initial NatureServe analyses and priorities for detailed inventory syntheses inform key societal and protection. challenges. • Gather information from all Clients use NatureServe data, available sources on priority tools, and expertise to address elements and their known and their specific needs. possible locations, ecology, and management requirements.

• Conduct field inventories for these elements and collect data about their location, condition, and conservation needs.

• Process and manage the data collected, making use of standardized procedures.

• Analyze the data with a view toward refining previous conclusions about element abundance or rarity, location, management needs, and other issues.

• Provide information to interested parties so that it can be used to guide conservation, management planning, and other environmental decision-making.

14/21 | GUIDANCE TO SFI 2015-2019 STANDARDS AND RULES World (http://www.intactforests.org/) Landscapes (WRI) raiainadwbieOverview oforganization Organization andwebsite

Int Resour act

F orest ces

Ins

titute

scientific research. forest monitoring projects andin used bothinregional andglobal monitoring algorithmshave been the IFLconcept, mappingand Union, andTransparent World), International Socio-Ecological Biodiversity Conservation Center, Institute, Global Forest Watch, (Greenpeace, World Resources environmental organizations a group ofnon-governmental for monitoring. Developed by these boundariesasabaseline undeveloped forest areas, anduse establish theboundariesoflarge resolution satellite information to approach isto usehighspatial country levels. Theessence ofthe landscapes the humanimpactonforest monitor policies help create, implement and definition were introduced to The IFLconcept anditstechnical species, could bemaintained. viable populationsofwide-ranging , including biodiversity all native activity, andlarge enoughthat no signsofsignificant human current forest extent, showing ecosystems withinthezoneof is anunbroken expanse ofnatural An Intact Forest Landscape (IFL) at theregional or and goals concerning GUIDANCE TO SFI 2015-2019STANDARDS ANDRULES and extraction and peat extraction. mining, oilandgasexploration 30 to 70years, such aslogging, industrial activitiesduringthelast agriculture and timber production; and power transmission lines; such asroads, railways, pipeline transportation infrastructure inclusion, e.g.,settlements, consequently noteligible for considered disturbed, and types ofhumaninfluence are Areas withevidence ofcertain boundaries oftheterritory). entirely inscribedwithinthe the diameter ofacircle thatis width of10km(measured as km2 (50,000ha)andaminimal with anarea ofatleast 500 by humaneconomic activity, ecosystems minimally influenced contains forest andnon-forest extent offorest cover which a territory withintoday’s global Technically, anIFLisdefined as 1997). developed byWRI(Bryant et al., the definitionof Frontier Forest and ice. Thisdefinitionbuildson lakes,wetlands, alpineareas less areas, includinggrasslands, contain extensive naturally tree- within theforest zone,somemay maintained. AlthoughallIFLare wide-ranging species,could be including viable populationsof biodiversity, that allnative human activityandlarge enough showing nosignsofsignificant zone ofcurrent forest extent, of natural ecosystems withinthe An IFLisanunbroken expanse How sites are classified world.map.html world.map.html http://www.intactforests.org/ found here: The global IFLmapcan be For more information

15/21 SECTION 6 Organization and website Overview of organization How sites are classified For more information and goals

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) WWF uses the best available WWF researchers analyzed global Global 200 maps can be scientific knowledge to preserve patterns of biodiversity to identify found at (http://www.worldwildlife.org/ the diversity and abundance of a set of the Earth’s terrestrial, science/ecoregions/global200. (http://www. life on Earth and the health of freshwater and marine ecoregions html) nationalgeographic.com/ ecological systems, by: that harbor exceptional wildworld/) biodiversity and are representative • protecting natural areas and of its ecosystems. They placed wild populations of plants and each of the Earth’s ecoregions animals, including endangered Descriptions of each Global 200 within a system of 30 biomes and species; ecoregion: biogeographic realms to facilitate • promoting sustainable a representation analysis. http://www.nationalgeographic. approaches to the use of com/wildworld/profiles/g200_ Biodiversity features were renewable natural resources; index.html compared among ecoregions to and assess their irreplaceability or • promoting more efficient use distinctiveness. These features WWF Wildfinder Tool: of resources and energy and included species richness, the maximum reduction of endemic species, unusual higher http://worldwildlife.org/ pollution taxa, unusual ecological or science/wildfinder/ evolutionary phenomena, and WWF’s Global 200 attempts to the global rarity of habitats. This identify a set of ecoregions whose process yielded 238 ecoregions – conservation would achieve the the Global 200 – comprising 142 goal of saving a broad diversity of terrestrial, 53 freshwater and the Earth’s ecosystems. 43 marine priority ecoregions. These ecoregions include Ecoregions were also assigned those with exceptional levels of a conservation status, with those biodiversity, such as high species most at-risk assigned “critical” or richness or endemism, or those “endangered.” with unusual ecological or evolutionary phenomena.

WWF, in collaboration with the National Geographic Society developed an interactive map and descriptions of the Global 200 available through a Wild World website.

16/21 | GUIDANCE TO SFI 2015-2019 STANDARDS AND RULES periodic continuing education thataddress: identify delivery mechanismsfor producer wood training courses and support ofSFIImplementation Committees to establish criteria and 2015-219 FiberSourcing Standard indicator 6.2.1-Participation inor “ programs andare recognized asqualified logging professionals.“ available) producers and/orwood thathave completed training logging professionals and/orcertified logging professionals (where Participants SFI 2015-2019FiberSourcing Standard indicator 6.1.5-Program “ professionals (where available) andqualified resource professionals.” promote theuseofqualified logging professionals, certified logging “ Standard Indicators, 11.1.5,11.2.1and11.2.2theSFI2015-2019FiberSourcing strengthens requirements for logger training withrevisions to since itsinception. TheSFI2015-2019Forest Management Standard management, andhasbeenakey component oftheSFIprogram Logger training 11.1 CERTIFIED LOGGING PROFESSIONALS 11. performance measure. organized system, process orsetofactivitiesto achieve or anobjective Program isdefinedinthe SFI2015-2019Standards andRules asan programs, safety andtheprinciples ofsustainable forestry.” component withcoursework thatsupportsthecurrent logger training producerswood training programs shallhave acontinuing education 2015-219 FiberSourcing Standard indicator 6.2.2-The SIC-approved “ SFI 2015-2019Forest Management Standard indicator 11.2.1andSFI SFI 2015-2019Forest Management Standard indicator 11.1.5and SFI 2015-2019FiberSourcing Standard indicator 3.1.1.Programto SFI 2015-2019Forest Management Standard indicator 11.2.2andSFI

k. j. i. h. g. f. e. d. c. b. a. Use ofQualifiedL USE OFQU public policy business management; logging saf

aestheticsconservation, andspecialsites; re SFI program; awarenes such asNatureServe, TheNature Conservancy, etc. by provincial orstate agencies,orbycredible organizations awarenes awarenes U.S. Occupational Saf provincial, state andlocal employment laws; (CCOHS) regulations, wage andhourrules, andother and CanadianCentre for Occupational HealthandSafety awarenes best management pr Exceptional Value Conservation ); measures to protect wildlife habitat (e.g.,Forests with Species Act,theCanadianatRiskandother and retirement; management androad construction, maintenance transport does thesamewithIndicators 3.1.1,6.1.5,6.2.1and6.2.2. forestation, exotic invasive plants andanimals,forest resource shall have written agreements for theuseofqualified

is av ation issues; s ofrare forested natural communities asidentified s ofemerging technologies. s ofresponsibilities undertheU.S.Endangered s ofsustainable forestry principles andthe ety; ALIFIED LOGGING PROFESSIONALS AND and outreach; and ery effective tool inpromoting sustainable forest ogging Professionals actices, includingstreamside ety andHealthAdministration (OSHA)

GUIDANCE TO SFI 2015-2019STANDARDS ANDRULES Implementation Committee. credible certified logging professional program recognized by theSFI successfully completed andare members ingoodstanding ofa Committee approved training programs andwhohave also are thoseprofessionals whohave completed SFIImplementation developing contractual relationships. Certified logging professionals are available andafter consideration ofotherfactors involved in while encouraging theirusebyProgram Participants where they The SFI2015-2019Standards andRules recognizes theselimitations Certified logging professional programs are notinwidespread use. encourages theiruse 2019 FiberSourcing Standard Performance Measures 3.1and6.1 Management Standard Performance MeasureSFI 2015- 11.1andthe of certified logging professionals, andtheSFI2015-2019Forest SFI Inc.recognizes thepotential andvalue inpromoting theuse 11.2 collaboratively, to address thisshortage. 6.1.5, theProgram Participant willdevelop a program, individually or indicator 11.1.5andSFI2015-2019FiberSourcing Standard indicator to meettheexpectations ofSFI2015-2019Forest Management Standard where theavailability ofqualified logging professionals isnotsufficient untrained loggers. Where theProgram Participant identifiesa region short periodsoftime,whichcan result inincreased deliveries by epidemics) can result inlarge-scale salvage efforts over comparatively recognize thatcatastrophic events (e.g.,severe storms, wildfire, beetle This goalfor deliveries byqualified logging professionals alsoneedsto operators), andavailability ofqualified logging professionals locally. on asmallscale, suchasfarmers andsmall-scale land-clearing as aperson whoororganization thatinfrequently supplieswood fiber timing andlength oftraining programs, suppliers(defined other wood with allowances for turnover inthelogging workforce, availability, in theprocess ofcompleting aSIC-approved logger training program, raw material deliveries from qualified logging professionals, orloggers logging professionals. They shouldstrive to achieve 100percent oftheir Participants SFI 2015-2019FiberSourcing Standard indicator 6.1.5saysthatProgram from logging professionals whohave completed training programs. The Participants to develop aprogram for thepurchase oftheirraw material 2015-2019 FiberSourcing Standard Indicators 3.1.1require Program SFI 2015-2019Forest Management Standard Indicator 11.1.5and SFI

logging professionals.” will usewritten agreements requiring theuseofqualified Sourcing Standard indicator 6.1.5saysthatProgram Participants have completed training programs. TheSFI2015-2019Fiber purchase oftheirraw material from logging professionals who require Program Participants to developprogram a for the and SFI2015-2019FiberSourcing Standard Indicator 3.1.1 “ agency, loggers’ association orotherorganization.” and maintained byProgram Participant, state orprovincial qualified logging professionals andcertified logging professionals “ L Certified SFI 2015-2019FiberS SFI 2015-2019F will usewritten agreements requiring theuseofqualified ogging Professionals orest Management Standard indicator 11.1.5 ourcing Standard indicator. 6.1.2-List of

17/21 SECTION 6 SFI Implementation Committees will review, when requested, certified Performance Measure 12.1. Program Participants shall ensure logging professional programs to determine if they meet the criteria that their fiber sourcing programs support the principles of in SFI 2015-2019 Forest Management Standard indicator 11.2.3 and sustainable forestry, including efforts to reduce the risk of SFI 2015-2019 Fiber Sourcing Standard indicator 6.2.3. This process is illegal logging. identical to the one currently in use by SFI Implementation Committees for evaluating credible logger training programs. Indicator 12.1.1. Process to assess the risk that the Program Participant’s fiber sourcing programcould acquire material from Indicat or 11.2.3 and Indicator 6.2.3. Participation in or support illegal logging such as consulting information from the World of SFI Implementation Committees to establish criteria for Resources Institute Forest Legality Risk Tool, the World Bank recognition of logger certification programs, where they exist, Legal Rights Index, or Transparency International. that include: a. completion of SFI Implementation Committee recognized SFI 2015-2019 Forest Management Standard Objective 9 and SFI 2015- logger training programs and meeting continuing education 2019 Fiber Sourcing Standard Objective 4 requires legal and regulatory requirements of the training program; compliance with applicable federal, provincial, state and local laws b. independent in-the-forest verification of conformance with the and regulations. logger certification program standards; c. compliance with all applicable laws and regulations including SFI 2015-2019 Forest Management Standard Performance responsibilities under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the Measure 9.1 and SFI 2015-2019 Fiber Sourcing Standard Canadian Species at Risk Act and other measures to protect Performance Measure 4.1. wildlife habitat; d. use of best management practices to protect of water quality; Program Participants shall comply with applicable federal, e. logging safety; provincial, state and local forestry and related social and f. compliance with acceptable silviculture and utilization environmental laws and regulations and take appropriate steps standards; to avoid illegal logging. g. aesthetic management techniques employed where applicable; and SFI 2015-2019 Fiber Sourcing Standard Indicator 4.1.4: h. adherence to a management or harvest plan that is site Program to assess the risk that the Program Participants fiber specific and agreed to by the forest landowner. sourcing program could acquire material from illegal logging by considering some of the following: 12. ILLEGAL LOGGING a. communications with suppliers; The SFI program has strong existing measures in the SFI 2015-2019 b. independent research; Standards and Rules to avoid sourcing fiber from illegal logging. c. contract documentation; and These measures are reinforced by the SFI Policy on Illegal Logging d. maintain records. (September 2008). These measures address the issue of illegal logging from sources within the United States and Canada and off-shore. The definition of illegal logging is intended to cover intentional violations, such as timber theft from areas that are precluded The United States Lacey Act, as amended May 22, 2008, makes from logging, falsification of official documents, avoidance of it unlawful to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or harvest payments and duties, and deliberate removal of trees purchase in interstate or foreign commerce any plant, with some from the land without the legal right to do so. The definition is not limited exceptions, taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation intended to cover isolated occurrences of legal infractions such as of the laws of the United States, a State, an Indian tribe, or any foreign unintentional trespass over a property line (for private ownership) law that protects plants from removal or that regulates the removal or unit boundaries (for public ownership), violation of roadway of plants and products made from illegally removed plants. The laws, or minor contract disputes. As stated in SFI 2015-2019 Forest European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR), applied since March 3, Management Standard Objective 9 and SFI 2015-2019 Fiber Sourcing 2013, prohibits illegally harvested timber, or products derived from Standard Objective 4, Program Participants are required to comply with such timber, to be brought into the EU and creates due diligence applicable federal, provincial, state and local laws and regulations. obligations for operators who place timber and timber products on the EU market. 13. ILO CORE CONVENTIONS SFI 2015-2019 Forest Management Standard Performance Measure 9.2 SFI 2015-2019 Fiber Sourcing Standard Objective 12 has the addresses differences in U.S. labor law and the ILO core conventions. requirements for avoidance of controversial sources including Additional guidance is provided here for application of Performance Illegal Logging when sourcing from regions outside of the United Measure 9.2 for independent contractors and for Program Participants. States and Canada.

18/21 | GUIDANCE TO SFI 2015-2019 STANDARDS AND RULES operating onlandsowned orcontrolled byProgram Participants: Measure 9.2for Program Participants withrespect to theiremployees Application controlled byProgram Participants: Measure 9.2for independentcontractors operating onlandsowned or Application • • • • • • • •

covered byexisting U.S.orCanadianlaw. Indic In addition,anyI covered byexisting U.S. or Canadianlaw. Indicat of Directors for resolution ofanysignificant problems identified. Force, whichwilldevelop recommendations to theSFIInc.Board process willbereviewed every sixmonthsbytheSFIILO Task All information c (Section 11)requirements, part3. outlined intheSFI indicator 9.2.2through theinconsistent practices procedures Stak conventions 87,98and111. pertaining to theiremployee relations withregards to ILO Core outside stakeholders withregards to concerns orconformance review information theProgram Participant has received from Certific resolution ofanysignificant problems identified. develop recommendations to theSFIInc.Board ofDirectors for reviewed every sixmonthsbytheSFIILO Task Force, whichwill SFI Inc.andtheILO Task Force. Information received willbe contractor identifyinginformation to theProgram Participant, normal auditingtimeswillbepromptly submitted without Any information c Core Conventions 87,98and111. pertaining to independentcontractor actionsrelated to ILO outside stakeholders withregards to concerns orconformance review information theProgram Participant hasreceived from Certific Task Force norbytheSFIInc.Board ofDirectors. to review, consideration orrecommendations bytheSFIILO courts untilthoseprocesses are completed, willnotbesubject (NLRA), theappropriate provincial labourcode oract,the agencies established bytheU.S.NationalLaborRelationsAct through aformal grievance process orbefore any ofthe • • • • • • eholders mayraise issues regarding conformance to of of ator Discrimination (111). Discrimination (111). Right to Or Right to Or Discrimination (111). Discrimination (111). Right to Or Right to Or or 9.2.2shallonly apply to thecore conventions notfully SFI 2015-2019Forest Management Standard Performance SFI 2015-2019Forest Management Standard Performance ation bodiesatthetimeofauditwillcollect and ation bodiesatthetimeofauditwillcollect and 9.2 shallonly apply to thecore conventions notfully ganise andCollective Bargaining (No.98) ganise (No.87) ganise andCollective Bargaining (No.98) ganise (No.87) ollected through theinconsistent practices LO ollected bythecertification bodiesduring Public Inquiries and Official Complaints Public InquiriesandOfficialComplaints related issue thatisbeingaddressed

GUIDANCE TO SFI 2015-2019STANDARDS ANDRULES 14.4 chain-of-custody on-product label. original packagingandthematerial/product isidentifiedwithanSFI of-custody system provided theSFI Fiber Sourcing Standard, Appendix1:Part 6-DueDiligence System product(s) must conform to therequirements oftheSFI2015-2019 sourced from outsideoftheUnited States andCanadaintheir Organizations wishingto utilize deminimisamountsofmaterials 14.5 chain-of-custody certificate from theircertification body. after successful completion oftheregistration auditand receipt ofthe audit. Accumulated credits can be utilizedfor thesale ofproducts only can beaccumulated upto 365daysprior to theinitialregistration review ofthechain-of-custody system performance. Eligible credits of thechain-of-custody system andcompletion ofamanagement all eligible credit after thecompletion of a successful internal audit An organization usingthe Volume Credit methodcan start counting passes onSFI An organization (suchasawarehouse ordistribution center) that 14.3 waive more thantwo consecutive audits. as they wishto sellSFIcertified material. Certification bodiesshallnot of-custody certificate holder to contact thecertification bodyassoon audit. Thedeclaration must alsoincludeacommitment bythechain- stating thatnomaterial hasbeensoldasSFIcertified since thelast certificate holdermust signadeclaration for theircertification body sold anycertified material since theirlast audit.Thechain-of-custody from theircertificate body,waive asurveillance auditifthey have not An SFIchain-of-custody certificate holder, can upon receiving approval 14.2 into thefinalproduct ofamagazineor catalog. gravure body,and cover products beingboundorstitched together group thepaperusagefor allinserts,order-forms, offsetbody, same raw material. For example, aprinter could identifyasaproduct should includeinoneproduct group only products thatconsist ofthe identified for specific products or groups of products. The organization certification percentage is calculated. Theproduct group shouldbe 1 allows anorganization to definetheproduct group(s) for whichthe 14.1 SFI ON-PRODUCT LABELUSE 14. SFI2015-2019CHAIN-OF-CUSTODY STANDARD AND identified. 11) requirements to aidintheresolution ofanyissues thatmaybe in part8.4ofthePublicInquiriesandOfficialComplaints(Section independent contractors) andtheinconsistent practices process information gatheringprocess withtheircertification bodies(for requirements inindicator 9.2.2butmust still participate inthe public employees shallbe“grandfathered in”asmeeting the Virginia) thatcurrently have lawsprohibiting bargaining withtheir Public forest landowners instates (Alabama,NorthCarolina and SFI 2015-2019Chain-of-Custody Standard atPart 3.2.1andAppendix

Defining thePr Contr Eligibility ofCredits –V Exemption fr Exemption fr oversial Sources andDeMinimisAmounts certified material/product doesnotneedanSFI om SFI om Surveillance Audits oduct Group Chain ofCustody olume Credit Method certified material/product isinits

chain- 19/21 SECTION 6 to Avoid Controversial Sources or the SFI 2015-2019 Chain-of-Custody both the SIC mission and supports obligations for the SFI Program Standard Part 4 - Due Diligence System to Avoid Controversial Sources. Participants as follows: I. Overall SIC Mission – Effectively facilitate or manage at a state, 14.6 Scoping Suppliers into a Chain of Custody provincial or regional level the programs and alliances that support A Program Participant that sources from primary producers can the growth of sustainable forest management through the SFI include these organizations in the scope of their SFI 2015-2019 program. Chain-of-Custody Standard certificate. The Program Participant II. Core SIC Mission – Priorities for all SICs: will be responsible for all objectives and performance measures of a. Training & Education – Establish criteria and identify delivery those organizations they scope into their own procedures. Those mechanisms for qualified logging professional, qualified organizations are subject to sample audits. Certification bodies shall resource professional and wood producer training, and defining follow guidelines in Section 9 - SFI 2015-2019 Audit Procedures and what it means to be “SFI trained.”2 Establish criteria for Auditor Qualifications and Accreditation- Appendix 1, for “multi-site recognition of certified logging professional programs, where organizations.” If the Program Participant scopes in primary producers, they exist.3 the Program Participant is also responsible for all SIC related activity b. Inconsistent Practices – Establish protocols for for that company. addressing, investigating, and responding to SFI Standard nonconformity allegations and inconsistent practices, 15. SFI IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEES and allegations regarding non-Program Participant forest SFI Program Participants established state SFI Implementation management practices.4 Committees in 1995 and the first provincial SFI Implementation c. Landowner Outreach – Focus landowner outreach efforts on Committee in 2001. SFI Implementation Committees provide a strong education and technical assistance.5 foundation for the SFI program and make important contributions d. Informational Resources – Focus informational resource in assuring SFI Standard conformance and SFI program recognition. efforts on increasing SFI program recognition, awareness and The state, provincial and regional SFI Implementation Committees support with groups, such as local opinion leaders and forestry are semi-autonomous committees reflecting significant geographic resource professionals.6 and organizational diversity. This flexible, grassroots infrastructure e. Annual Reporting – Submit the SIC annual progress report to is a fundamental strength of the SFI program and its goal to promote SFI Inc. responsible forestry across all forest ownerships. f. SFI Program Integrity7 – Protect the integrity of the SFI program by: The definition of SFI Implementation Committee (SIC) in Section 13 • ensuring proper SIC service mark usage; of the SFI 2015-2019: Standards and Rules is ”A state, provincial, or • alerting SFI Inc. when improper communications or regional committee organized by SFI Program Participants to facilitate misleading claims are observed; or manage the programs and alliances that support the growth of the • avoiding the appearance of participation or compliance SFI program, including sustainable forest management.” by non-SFI Program Participants; and • avoiding the appearance of third-party certification by The SFI Implementation Committee governance document was non-certified SFI Program Participants. reviewed for relevance to the current SFI program, and to ensure consistency with the SFI 2015-2019 Standard and Rules. The SFI III. Secondary SIC Mission – Below are priorities that may be Implementation Committee governance document will be updated determined by each SIC; however, individual participants may in conjunction with future SFI Standard revisions, and may also be choose not to participate or support these objectives. reviewed between scheduled revisions if there are significant SFI a. Training and Education – Provide delivery mechanisms program changes. for qualified logging professional, and qualified resource professional, and wood producer training to address SFI Some key elements from the governance document and how they program needs not adequately provided by other programs. relate to the SFI 2015-2019 Standards are included here. b. Market Outreach – Sponsor active market outreach efforts in local communities that may include paid advertising. Vision Statement c. Recruitment – Encourage large landowners and all forest SFI Implementation Committees (SICs) are an integral part of the SFI products facilities to enroll as SFI Program Participants; program and play a vital role in promoting training and landowner encourage family forest owners to participate in the American outreach, maintaining integrity of the SFI program, and supporting and Tree Farm System or similar programs recognized by the SFI promoting responsible forestry and the SFI program at local levels.

Mission Statement 2 SFI 2015-2019 Standard Indicator 11.2.1 (FM) and 6.2.1 (FS). 3 SFI 2015-2019 Standard Indicator 11.2.3 (FM) and 6.2.3 (FS). The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) defines the SIC Mission, 4 SFI 2015-2019 Standard Performance Measure 12.3 (FM) and 7.3 (FS). ensuring SIC goals and priorities are based on recommendations from 5 SFI 2015-2019 Standard Indicators12.1.1 and 12.2.1 (FM) and 7.1.1 and 7.1.2 (FS). 6 SFI 2015-2019 Standard Performance Measure 12.2 (FM) and 7.2 (FS). the SIC Governance Review Ad-hoc Committee. The MOU clarifies 7 SFI 2015-2019 Standard Indicators 12.3.1 and 12.3.2 (FM) and 7.3.1 and 7.3.2(FS). 8 SFI 2015-2019 Standard Performance Measure 10.2 (FM) and 8.1 (FS). 9 SFI 2015-2019 Standard Objective 10 (FM) and 5 (FS).

20/21 | GUIDANCE TO SFI 2015-2019 STANDARDS AND RULES SIC guidance to ensure consistency, while still maintaining SIC following isintended to clarifysupportexpectations andprovide our goalto promote sustainable forestry across allownerships. The infrastructure isafundamental strength oftheSFI geographic andorganizational diversity. Thisflexible, grassroots SICs are semi-autonomous committees reflecting significant SIC Participant’s procurement occurs. Sourcing Standard intheregions where themajorityofProgram requirements ofPerformance Measure 6.2oftheSFI2015-2019Fiber In thesesituationsitispossible for aProgram Participant to meetthe Participant sources ademinimisamountoffiber for agiven facility. However, there mayberegions, states orprovinces where aProgram the SICsinregions, states orprovinces where they procure fiber. of anSFI2015-2019FiberSourcing Standard certificate willsupportall expectation isthatProgram Participants withfacilities withinthescope exist, i.e.majorityofforestland owned and/orfiberprocured. The are required to participate intheSICwhere significant operations Implementation Committees (SICs).SFIProgram Participants within thestate orprovince are expected to participate intheSFI facilities, owning and/ormanagingforestland, orprocuring fiber All SFIprogram participants owning and/oroperating forest product regarding thetransition isincludedbelow: and Auditor Qualifications andAccreditations. Additionalguidance the requirements outlinedinSection9SFI2015-2019AuditProcedures certification bodyto establish asurveillance auditschedule thatmeets It istheProgram Participant’s responsibility to work withthe year ofadoptionandpublication. qualifications for certification bodies must be accomplished within one and publication. Similarly, changesto certification procedures and plans, andmanagementactivitieswithinoneyear ofadoption Standards Changes adopted bytheSFIInc.Board ofDirectors to theSFI AND RULES 16. TRANSITIONTO THESFI2015-2019STANDARDS

P Or articipation • • e. d. ganization recertification andsurveillance audits to theSFI2015-2019 does notconduct auditingandcertification. All certification, SFI Inc.de States andCanada. by organizations withintheirforest operations in 2014 Standard, The SFI2015-2019Standar progr decisions are based. technology, uponwhichsustainable forest management Research –Pr sustainable forestry programs. regeneration statistics, insupportofaProgram Participant’s agencies to provide accessible timely, accurate harvest and For must beincorporated into aProgram Participant’s est ManagementStatistics –Encourage government am, asappropriate. veloped the

omote forestry research, science and which isthecurr

SFI 2015-2019Standar d andRules replace theSFI2010- 8 ent standard implemented program and d andRules, but

the Unit flexibility. policies, policies, ed ed GUIDANCE TO SFI 2015-2019STANDARDS ANDRULES

• • • • • • • SFI Pr ANAB-, ANSI- Accr SFI 2015-2019Standards andRules. Standards CouncilofCanada(SCC)to conduct certification to (ANAB), American NationalStandards Institute (ANSI)orthe accredited bytheANSI-ASQNationalAccreditation Board Standards andRules shallbeconducted by certification bodies conducted against theSFI2015-2019Standards andRules. After Dec 2015. to theSFI2015-2019Standards andRules byDecember 31, also includeanassessment ofactionplansto fully transition certification status untilDecember 31,2015;theseauditsshall and Rules shallbereported butwillnotadversely affect against changesmadeintheSFI2015-2019Standards For surveillance auditsafter March 31,2015,nonconformities 2019 Standards andRules attheProgram Participant’s choice. the 2010-2014SFIChain-of-Custody Standard ortheSFI2015- conducted against eithertheSFI2010-2014Standard and/or Surveillanc certifications against the against theSFI2015-2019Standards andRules . For re- After Mar the SFI2015-2019Standards andRules. Initial certific adoption isencouraged. surveillance audit following the implementation period. Earlier conformance to thenew requirements attheirfirst requirements, andProgram Participants must demonstrate 1, 2015to implement allnew andrevised January on the SFI2015-2019Standards andRules take effect are publishedas 2015-2019 Standards andRules shallnotbegranted untilthey Management Systems Auditing. ISO 19011:2002Guidelinesfor Qualityand/orEnvironmental accordance withtheprinciples ofauditingcontained inthe certification ofmanagementsystems; and conduct auditsin assessment –requirements for bodiesproviding auditand Organization for Standardization (ISO)17021:2011conformity processes consistent withtherequirements ofInternational nonconformities adversely affect re-certification untilafter December 31,2015. 2015-2019 Standards andRules shallbereported butwillnot edited certification bodiesare required to maintain audit ogram Participants haveogram oneyear from thetime ember 31,2015,allsurveillance auditsmust be ch 31,2015,allre-certifications must be conducted e auditsthrough December 31,2015maybe ation auditsin2015must beconducted against

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SECTION 6