SFI certification process

Embark on your certification journey by completing our service request form or reaching out to us directly. Our experts will navigate you through the certification scope that aligns best with your company setup and needs. The process outlined below covers SFI Forest Management, SFI Chain of Custody and SFI Fiber Sourcing certifications.

Step 1: Application process
Initiate the process by submitting a service application to Preferred by Nature. This information shapes a budget proposal and certification agreement tailored to your organisation.   

Step 2: Certification preparation
To meet SFI's requisites, preparing documents, establishing systems, assigning responsibilities to your team, and training your staff may be some actions that are taken.

Step 3: Assessments 
Onsite assessments are conducted, their duration determined by factors such as audit scope, operational size, accessibility and complexity. These audits typically include interviews, document reviews and field visits.   

Step 4: Audit report
We provide a comprehensive audit report detailing the results. Non-conformities are outlined, with major ones needing correction before certification issuance.

Step 5: Earning certificate
Following quality review and your input, you will receive the Forest Management Standard summary audit report. Upon a favourable certification decision, the certificate is granted. 

SFI certificates are issued for a five-year period. A two-stage initial assessment is conducted as a basis for certification, and subsequent annual audits are required to maintain the certificate. You need to comply with the certification requirements to remain certified. Preferred by Nature ensures you remain updated on system changes through regular updates.

Complaints and resolutions

If a complaint is raised about our certification services or one of our clients, we handle this in accordance with our Dispute Resolution Policy. We may call on our Impartiality Committee if Preferred by Nature’s impartiality is under question.

Jump to a specific section:

• SFI Forest Management Certification
• SFI Chain of Custody Certification
• SFI Fiber Sourcing Certification

SFI Forest Management Certification

Initial certification audit
This stage necessitates SFI Program Participant status or being in the process of becoming one, with the final certification decision conditioned on achieving Program Participant status.

Multiple sites certification
ISO 17021: 2015 Clause 9.1.5 mandates a certification body sampling program for multi-site audits. This program ensures thorough examination of the management system across various locations, with documented rationale for the sampling plan.

SFI Small-Scale Forest Management Module for Indigenous Peoples and Families
Tailored for Canadian landowners, this SFI module offers group or individual certification options, promoting cost-efficiency through collaboration. Certification is available for small-scale forests managed by Indigenous Peoples, families, or communities, with a timber production area not exceeding 20,000 hectares. Certification coverage may exceed 20,000 hectares when considering non-timber-producing areas and those managed for conservation or recreation. Requirements align with the SFI 2022 Forest Management Standard, adjusted for forest size and intensity. To claim SFI label compliance, both the group manager and members need third-party audits from an accredited certification body. Learn more.

SFI Chain of Custody Certification

The 2022 SFI Chain of Custody Standard applies to any organisation that sources, processes, manufactures, handles, trades, converts or prints forest-based products.

Within this main standard, specific criteria may or may not apply to every company, depending on the activities performed at each certified site. For example, three options exist for tracking certified material and making claims. Companies may maintain physical separation of certified material (the transfer system) or mix certified and non-certified inputs under the percentage and volume credit systems.

The 2022 SFI Chain of Custody Standard and associated labels, implemented together with the SFI Rules for Use of On-Product Labels and Off-Product Marks, deliver a reliable and credible mechanism so businesses can provide this assurance to customers. 

SFI Fiber Sourcing Certification

The SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard strategically targets millions of landowners through promotion, education, training and outreach.

Sources within the United States & Canada
SFI-certified organisations must comply with applicable laws while broadening responsible forestry. This includes addressing biodiversity conservation for Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value in purchased stumpage harvests and engaging qualified logging professionals, certified logging professionals and resource professionals.

Organisations must also invest in forestry research, science and technology, alongside developing verifiable monitoring systems to assess best management practices across the wood and fiber supply area.

Sources from jurisdictions outside North America
Particularly for regions lacking effective laws, SFI-certified organisations must conduct a risk assessment to avoid controversial sources and illegal logging-related fiber. They must also promote biodiversity hotspots and high biodiversity wilderness area conservation.

Although the risk of illegal logging in the United States and Canada is low, the market demands risk assessments across the entire supply chain. The SFI 2022 Fiber Sourcing Standard mandates risk assessment for illegal logging, regardless of origin.

Jump to a specific section:

• SFI Forest Management Certification
• SFI Chain of Custody Certification
• SFI Fiber Sourcing Certification

SFI Forest Management Standard

The SFI Forest Management Standard applies to any organisation in the United States or Canada that owns or has management authority over forestlands. The requirements encompass a range of measures aimed at safeguarding water quality, conserving biodiversity, preserving wildlife habitat and protecting threatened and endangered species, along with Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value.

In the 2022 version, the SFI integrates a new objective to recognise and respect Indigenous People's rights. SFI-certified organisations are encouraged to engage and collaborate with local Indigenous and Tribal groups to gain insights into their traditional forest management practices.

>> Access the Standard

SFI Chain of Custody Standard

The SFI Chain of Custody Standard provides a robust solution through its associated labels. The Standard is an accounting system that tracks certified forest fiber content from production through manufacturing, ultimately reaching the finished product. This Standard applies to any organisation involved in sourcing, processing, manufacturing, handling, trading, converting or printing forest-based products.

Companies can make informed claims about the extent of certified lands, certified sourcing and/or recycled content in their products. SFI-labelled products must exclude fiber sourced from areas lacking effective social laws.

>> Access the Standard

SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard

The SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard applies to organisation that directly procure wood from forests, even if they do not own or manage the land. SFI-certified organisations must show that the raw material in their supply chain comes from legal and responsible sources, whether certified or not. Primary producers must be third-party audited and certified to the SFI 2022 Fiber Sourcing Standard.

The fiber sourcing requirements include measures to expand biodiversity, adopt forestry best management practices for water quality protection, outreach to landowners, and engagement of forest management and harvesting professionals. The Fiber Sourcing Standard extends to organisations in the United States and Canada procuring wood either domestically or globally.

>> Access the Standard