1. What is Certification ?
2. Why should I choose a certified product ?
3. Is there a difference between CSA and FSC ?
4. Are all products from a certified mill actually certified ?
5. How do I know if the product I receive is 100% certified ?
6. Why do certified products cost more ?
7. Is CSA a LEEDS recognized certification ?

1. What is Certification ?
Certification is a voluntary process that is undertaken to provide assurance to industry, government, customers, stake holders and the public that Sustainable Forest Management is being practiced. Sustainable Forest Management is the management of the Forest in a manner that maintains, improves, enhances and provides current and future health and renewal of the forests and the ecosystems they support. Certification not only ensures that lawful harvesting and reforestation occur, but that other environmental, economical and social factors are being taken into consideration and addressed appropriately.

2. Why should I choose a certified product ?
Wood products originating from a certified forest and a non-certified forest have the exact same properties. The wood is no better or worse and of no greater value in its structure to make a 2 x 4 or wooden chair. The choice to purchase a certified product comes from the consumer's knowledge and value system. Many consumers base their purchases on principles that are important to them such as illegal harvesting of timber.

CSA Certification provides assurance to the consumer that the products s/he is purchasing come from legally harvested areas. In British Columbia, Canada there are legal and institutional frameworks for harvesting timber, (not to mention the highest social and environmental standards in the world) which make it extremely difficult to illegally harvest and sell illegal timber. However, this is not the case in many other countries that lack policies, procedures and mandates in harvesting timber. Therefore, if you are unfamiliar with the country of origin's laws and regulations on harvesting timber, but know that CSA does not condone illegal harvesting you may wish to purchase a product that is Certified to this level.

3. Is there a difference between CSA and FSC ?
Both certifications are designated as Sustainable Forest Management systems which focus on environmental, social, and economical aspects of harvesting and monitored by an independent 3rd party certification body.

Many of the principles and mandates are the same among the 2 certifications; however they may differ in their approach and in their focus on each area. For example, CSA focuses on public input and consultation which is appropriate in that it originated in Canada where most of the forest land is owned by the Crown (government) and the people of Canada are essentially the landlords. There is a real emphasis on having the public and stakeholders participate in the management system to ensure that all sides are taken into consideration.

FSC emphasizes social issues and values and establish standards in countries that lack legal and institutionalized structures to manage and address those concerns.

Both Certifications address each issue, but vary in their degree of focus.

For a detailed summary comparison between CSA and FSC please go to www.bcforestinformation.com under Managing for Sustainability; Third Party Certification.

4. Are all products from a certified mill actually certified ?
Each mill has its own mandate in how it handles certified products. A certified mill can decide that it will only handle certified timber and therefore all products produced would be 100% certified.

Most mills adopt a flexible model which gives them the option to run both certified and
non-certified products. The mill may opt to run 2 weeks of certified product and then
2 weeks of non-certified product or some variation of that. In this case the certified product run in that 2 week span would be deemed 100% certified.

It is also permitable to mix certified with non-certified products as long as the percentage of certified does not dip below 70% and the labels and documents state the product is 70% Certified.

5. How do I know if the product I receive is 100% certified ?
If you are purchasing CSA Certified products there will be a label or tag on the product itself (i.e. on the bundle of shingles or on the whole package of lumber) that indicates the percent of certified product. There are 2 options - 100% Certified or 70% Certified. As well, your invoice should state that this product is certified to CSA Standards (with a Chain-of-Custody number) and the percent to which it is certified (70% or 100%).

6. Why do certified products cost more ?
Certifying a harvesting area is a rigorous, lengthy, expensive, and all encompassing process. It is very common to designate one person or a team of people to take on this project and continue the on going maintenance of the system. There are great financial costs in implementing and maintaining this Certification which is then added into the cost of harvesting the timber and increases the value of the raw fibre supply to the manufacturer.

7. Is CSA a LEEDS recognized certification ?
No, CSA as a Certification is not recognized by LEEDS.
However, Green Globes (another point system designed for green building) does recognize CSA Certification and provides 5 points towards its own Certification.

For more information on Certification and Sustainable Forest Management please contact us directly at 1-604-587-8700 or Toll Free at 1-888-995-8325.