Public consultation: American Tree Farm System
Give your feedback on the revised American Tree Farm System. Public consultation ends 13 August.
Public consultation: American Tree Farm System
15 June 2021 PEFC system news
Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the revised American Tree Farm System (ATFS). Deadline for comments is 13 August. Give your feedback now!
The ATFS was revised following the entry into force of the revised 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard.
The ATFS was submitted to PEFC after being revised in line with PEFC requirements. The national system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this assessment to maintain its PEFC endorsement.
An important aspect of the assessment process is the public consultation. Over the sixty-day consultation, stakeholders from around the world can give their comments and provide feedback on any aspect of the system. The Registered Assessor will use the information received from this consultation in their assessment of the system.
Need more information?
To provide you with additional information about this revised national system, we held a webinar on 14 June, at 15:00 CEST. Watch the webinar recording:
PEFC and ATFS
The American Tree Farm System is run by the American Forest Foundation and is the oldest sustainable woodland system in America. Alongside the SFI system, it is one of two forest certification systems operational in the USA. The SFI system is also operational in Canada.
The ATFS was first endorsed by PEFC in August 2008 and has been re-endorsed in 2013 and 2017. There are over 7 million hectares of forest area certified to ATFS.
Maintaining endorsement
For a national system to maintain its endorsement, it must meet a series of endorsement milestones. These milestones are linked to the national periodic review of the system and the sustainable forest management standard.
National systems go through a periodic review five years after their national approval (first endorsement milestone). The periodic review includes a gap analysis, public consultation and consideration of feedback received while the standard is in force.
National approval of the ATFS forest certification standard: November 2020
Find out more about PEFC ensures national standards continue to meet expectations.