PEFC Canada is the PEFC national member for Canada. There are two PEFC-endorsed forest certification systems operational in Canada: the CSA system and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) system.

The SFI forest certification system, as a regional North American system, is also operational in the USA. SFI is the PEFC national member for the USA.

CSA system information

Endorsement milestones

To maintain its PEFC endorsement, the system must meet specific endorsement milestones. The first milestone is the start of the periodic review within five years of the national approval of the sustainable forest management standard.

• National approval date: 16 September 2016
• Review date: 16 September 2021
  

CSA system history

• Revised system endorsed: 29 March 2018
• Public consultation: 4 May - 3 July 2017
• Latest revision submitted for assessment: March 2017
• Re-endorsed: 29 June 2011
• Endorsed: 22 March 2005
• Joined PEFC: 26 January 2001

SFI system information

Endorsement milestones

To maintain its PEFC endorsement, the system must meet specific endorsement milestones. The first milestone is the start of the periodic review within five years of the national approval of the sustainable forest management standard.

• National approval date: 5 November 2014
• Review date: 14 November 2019*

* The review date is linked to the approval date of the revised Sustainable Forest Management standard PEFC ST 1003 (14 November 2018).

SFI Small Lands Group Certification Module

SFI system history

• Consultation webinar: 22 March, 14:00 CET - Watch the webinar recording
• Public consultation: 12 March - 11 May 2021 - Give your feedback
• Latest system submitted for assessment: 2 March 2021
• Small lands group certification module endorsed: 12 November 2019 - Watch the webinar
• Second re-endorsement: 12 August 2016
• First re-endorsement: 3 November 2011
• First endorsement: 6 December 2005
• Joined PEFC: 19 June 2001

* Note: The SFI Forest Management standard has achieved PEFC endorsement. PEFC has not endorsed the SFI Chain of Custody standard. Any company that sources timber from SFI-certified forests and would like to sell it as PEFC-certified or use the PEFC label needs to obtain PEFC Chain of Custody certification.

About PEFC Canada

History before PEFC

Canada joined the PEFC alliance in 2001 with CSA International, part of the CSA Group which developed the CSA SFM standard first published in 1996, acting as the National Governing Body (NGB). The role of an NGB was outside of CSA International’s normal business and so a new organization had to be created to assume that role. 

PEFC Canada was created and incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation under the Canada Corporations Act on September 17th, 2008. In October 2008, PEFC Canada applied to PEFC International to become the PEFC National Governing Body for Canada, taking over the CSA International role. The transfer of membership became effective on January 21st, 2009.

What are the benefits of being part of the PEFC alliance?

Being part of PEFC offers Canadian organizations certified to the CSA SFM standard, and downstream customers of those organizations, the opportunity to use the PEFC International Chain of Custody standard and the PEFC label. PEFC Chain of Custody certification together with the PEFC on-product label provides an assurance that wood and paper products are sourced from sustainably managed forests. PEFC certification and the PEFC label have gained worldwide recognition, which is very beneficial for Canadian producers who rely heavily on global export markets.

For importers of Canadian forest products, PEFC Canada can help access wood and paper products that are PEFC certified. Specifically, PEFC Canada will provide contact information for leading Canadian suppliers that export wood and paper products which are PEFC certified.

About SFI

History before PEFC

SFI® Inc. is a sustainability leader that stands for future forests. Founded in 1995, we are an independent, non-profit organization that provides supply chain assurances, delivers conservation leadership, and supports environmental education and community engagement in the U.S. and Canada. 

SFI works with the forest sector, brand owners, conservation groups, resource professionals, landowners, educators, local communities, Indigenous peoples, governments, and universities. SFI standards and on-product labels help consumers make responsible purchasing decisions. 

Additionally, we oversee the SFI Forest Partners® Program, which aims to increase supply of certified forest products, the SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant Program, which funds research and community building, and Project Learning Tree®, which educates teachers and youth about forests and the environment. SFI was an early member of PEFC, joining in June 2001. In 2005, the SFI Program achieved international recognition with PEFC endorsement. 

SFI Inc. is governed by an independent three-chamber board of directors representing environmental, social, and economic sectors equally. SFI believes caring for forests improves everyone’s quality of life. Learn more: sfiprogram.org.

What are the benefits of being part of the PEFC alliance?

Being endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification reinforces SFI’s position as an internationally respected program. Forest certification standards enhance how brands are perceived because third-party certification shows a willingness to go beyond existing regulations to address global issues like illegal logging and deforestation. International regulations are also driving increased market interest in forest certification as the simplest and most credible tool for demonstrating legality and minimizing risk in the supply chain. 

The PEFC alliance provides reach and relevance of forest certification programs around the globe. SFI shares the PEFC alliance’s promotion of sustainable forest management and its recognition in the supply chain from the local to the global level. SFI is proud to be part of the PEFC alliance, an alliance that fosters and supports initiatives of members that are unique and innovative around the world. 

SFI Program Participants ship products to nearly 140 countries around the world, and thereby also value SFI’s endorsement by PEFC.