SFI Certified Sourcing
Sustainable Forestry Initative
Sets guidelines for responsibly sourced forest products.
Key Strengths
- Widely recognized in North American forest products markets
- Enables sourcing claims without requiring full forest management certification
- Supports supply chain transparency for wood and paper products
- Backed by SFI, a credible and established forestry standards body since 1994
- Accepted by major retailers and procurement policies as a responsible sourcing credential
- Covers a broad range of fiber sources including recycled content and certified forest content
Ideal For
This certification is best suited for forest product companies, paper manufacturers, wood product suppliers, and supply chain participants who source fiber from non-certified forests and want to demonstrate responsible sourcing practices. It is particularly valuable for organizations that cannot achieve full forest management certification but need to meet customer and market demands for verified sustainable sourcing.
Target Audiences
Relevant Roles
Industries
Alignment & Recognition
Accrediting Body
Recognized By
- SFI Standard
Product Categories
Overview
The SFI Certified Sourcing program ensures that wood and paper products come from responsible sources. Established by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), it began in 1995 to promote sustainable forest management in North America. The program monitors sourcing to ensure sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Participants include manufacturers, paper companies, and others in the supply chain. The certification standard requires companies to track the wood they use and demonstrate it comes from legal and responsible sources. Some key clients include major paper manufacturers like International Paper and Georgia-Pacific. SFI also collaborates with conservation groups and government agencies.
Certification includes rigorous auditing and continual improvement. Important stats: SFI has certified over 360 million acres of forest. Overall, the SFI program helps balance human needs with forest health, making sure forest products come from well-managed sources.
Requirements & Verification
Evidence Requirements
Applicants must document their fiber sourcing practices, demonstrating that wood and paper inputs come from legal and responsible sources. This includes maintaining records of fiber procurement, supplier information, and sourcing percentages. Companies must show they have systems in place to track fiber origin, avoid controversial sources, and promote responsible forestry practices among their suppliers. Third-party auditors review documentation and may conduct site visits to verify compliance with the SFI Certified Sourcing Standard requirements.
Prerequisites
Assessment Process
Certification is conducted by accredited third-party certification bodies, not SFI directly. Auditors review the applicant organization's fiber sourcing documentation, procurement records, and supplier management systems. The initial certification audit involves a desktop review of documentation followed by an on-site assessment to verify that sourcing practices meet the SFI Certified Sourcing Standard. Annual surveillance audits and a full recertification audit every three years are required to maintain certification status.
Renewal & Compliance
SFI Certified Sourcing certification requires annual surveillance audits and a full recertification audit on a three-year cycle, conducted by accredited third-party certification bodies. Organizations must maintain their sourcing documentation, continue meeting the standard's requirements, and pay ongoing certification fees to their chosen certification body. Any non-conformances identified during audits must be addressed within specified timeframes.
Accountability Model
Impact & Outcomes
Employer Recognition
Consider Alternatives If...
Organizations seeking the highest level of forest certification credibility may find that full SFI Forest Management or FSC Chain of Custody certification is more recognized in international markets. Companies primarily selling into European markets may face preference for FSC certification over SFI-based claims.
Alternative Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Facts
Certification
English
1995
Available
How to Use This Label
Certification Details
Assessment
Verification
Structure
Governance
Fee Structure
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Sources & Citations
Content on this page is AI-enriched from primary sources.
Sustainable Forestry InitativeLast verified Mar 10, 2026