CSA—sustainable forest management standard
About
The Canadian Standards Association is a not-for-profit membership-based association serving business, industry, government and consumers in Canada and the global marketplace. CSA was chartered in 1919 and has developed over 2000 standards for various industries. It was accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) to the National Standards System in 1973 and operates in accordance with the disciplines established by the SCC. CSA has been working in the environmental area for the past decade. During that time, there has been heightened awareness about forest management practices.
In response, Canada's National Standard on Sustainable Forest Management Standard, CAN/CSA Z809 was developed. Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) refers to the way a forest is managed to maintain and enhance the long-term health of forest ecosystems for current and future generations. This Standard, which utilizes a continual improvement approach, requires public participation, practical demonstration of sustainable forest management practices, and management commitment. SFM takes into account environmental, social and economic factors. This standard gives the community a voice in the way their forests are managed.
The CSA Standard required extensive public participation in its development. It was first published in 1996 following years of discussions and work through an open and inclusive process managed by the CSA. One quarter of the CSA SFM Technical Committee was comprised of forest producers, including woodlot owners, while the remainder were scientists, academics, representatives from the provincial and federal governments, as well as environmental, consumer, union, and aboriginal representatives. In the fall of 1995, special consultations with non-governmental and environmental organizations were conducted to allow input into the development of the standards. In addition, a Canada-wide public review of the standard generated considerable interest with the CSA distributing over 1,500 copies of the draft standard in response to requests for review. Public meetings were held in Montral, Toronto and Vancouver to seek further input. The standard was then revised and published in the fall of 1996.
Just as continual improvement is necessary at the forest management level, it is equally essential in the evolution of the Standard itself. That is why the CSA requires that its SFM Technical Committee review the Standard periodically to ensure it incorporates knowledge gained through time and implementation. A review of the Standard must occur within five years of publication. As the first edition of the Standard was published in 1996, the CSA SFM Technical Committee started its review in 2000. When the CSA set out to review and improve upon the original standard, it sought out and incorporated public input once again. It also strengthened the conservation representation on its SFM Technical Committee, which now includes representatives from Wildlife Habitat Canada, the Canadian Wildlife Federation, and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. Click here for a matrix depicting the membership of CSA SFM Technical Committee.
back to top 