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Forest Certification
Overview · Our Commitment · Our Performance · Main Standards · Divisions · Links
Abitibi-Consolidated continues to build on its third-party certification accomplishments through the implementation of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) certification standards.
We are the number one forest products company in Canada in terms of total certified woodlands. 99.4% of the woodlands under our management (15.8 million hectares) are certified to the rigorous CSA or SFI sustainable forest management (SFM) standards.
The implementation of a sustainable forest management (SFM) standard that is audited by an independent third-party is one of the most rigorous and transparent ways for companies to provide assurance that their forest products come from forests managed in an environmentally and socially responsible way. The forests managed by Abitibi-Consolidated are certified to credible and globally recognized standards.
Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
§ Standard utilized for our operations on Canadian public lands
§ Emphasis placed on public participation
§ System requiring regular review and continuous improvement of practices
Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standard (SFI)
§ Standard utilized for private land ownership and management in the U.S. and Canada
§ Based on and fully compatible with ISO procedures and protocols
Both of these standards are purposely designed for SFM and support the implementation of sustainable practices through criteria and objectives consistent with those recognized by governmental processes around the world. We see certification as a tool assisting Abitibi-Consolidated to realize our vision of continual improvement in matters of environmental performance and SFM.
In the same way we value biodiversity in the natural habitat, Abitibi-Consolidated recognizes the value of diversity in credible certification standards. All standards require that independent experts audit Abitibi-Consolidated's performance against a set of objective measures and procedures for sustainability, yet no single standard is best suited to meet the needs of all regional contexts. Each SFM standard has its own approach.
The CSA standard offers a structured approach to public consultation. The SFI standard is better suited to an industry environment where the majority of woodlands are privately owned, while the FSC standard has a strong social and environmental component. Although each of these standards takes a different approach, each seeks to ensure SFM and address issues of key importance for today's stakeholders and customers including:
| Similarities between the CSA, SFI and FSC standards |
| Conservation of biological diversity |
| Maintenance of wildlife habitats and species diversity |
| Support of protected areas and maintenance of special sites/values |
| Maintenance of soil and water resources |
| Ensures sustainable harvest levels |
| Addresses the unacceptability of wood from illegal or unauthorized sources |
| Protection of forestlands from deforestation and conversion |
| Recognition of Aboriginal issues (in Canada) |
| Independent 3rd party audit required for certification claims |
| Audit of forest planning and practices |
| Public disclosure required |
| NGO involvement/support for the certification standard |
| All standards offer a label for use on-product and/or on-packaging to demonstrate product links to SFM certification |
Report on forest certification:
 Brochure on Responsible Wood and Fibre Supply (April 2007)
 October 2005 Report
 April 2004 Report
 December 2002 Report
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