ABSTRACT

In this chapter, we will examine in some detail how the SmartWood certification process works as implemented by the Institute for Sustainable Forestry.

Making certification work as a tool of forest conservation and sustainable community development demands the cooperation and coordination of three major elements of the forest to the consumer chain of events. First, the forestland owner must meet the standards of certifications. Second, techniques for properly tracking products, such as timber, from the forest to the primary manufacturer, to the secondary manufacturer, to the wholesaler, and finally to the retailer must be in place to ensure that the certified product can be distinguished at every step of the way, from the noncertified product throughout the distribution system. Third, the consumer must be able to identify the product as certified and be willing to purchase it.