Canadian Environmental Auditing Association

Canadian Environmental Auditing Association

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The Appeal of ISO 14001

This article was taken from the Bulletin - Vol.5 No.1 April 1999, a newsletter published by the Sustainable Forest Management Coalition.

The ISO14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) standard is appealing to forest companies which have a proven track record with ISO 9000 as well as an interest in improving and demonstrating their environmental management performance.

Many Canadian forest companies are now seeking or have successfully achieved certification to ISO 14001 for their mills. Most are also committed to a high level of environmental performance throughout their forest management activities. By extending the application of ISO 14001 to their woodlands operations, they are able to pursue the implementation of one consistent company-wide approach to address site-specific environmental issues. Whether using the CSA or ISO Standards in Canada, Canadian Organizations start with the strong foundation of government regulations, forestry laws and provincial policy that promote sustainable forest management. Companies must demonstrate strong environmental commitment, in accordance with government SFM policy, and develop forest management objectives directed at rigorous performance on the ground.

Certification is viewed by Canadian forest industry as a tool that respects the role of government as the legally responsible body for the management of public lands. For this reason, Canada's National SFM System Standard requires compliance with forest legislation and adherence at the local forest level to the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers six (6) SFM criteria and supporting critical elements. The six criteria are a Canadian adaptation of the SFM criteria developed through the Montreal Process, an intergovernmental process for temperate and boreal forests outside Europe.

Most Canadian companies, who currently report plans for ISO 14001 certification of their forest operations are, in fact, incorporating sustainable forest management elements into their EMS. Many also indicate that their strategy is to start with ISO 14001, introducing sustainable forest management criteria and indicators as well as public participation mechanisms and eventually proceed towards certification to the CAN/CSA Z809 Standard. A January 1999 survey suggests that much of the 69 million hectares in Canada currently slated for certification to ISO 14001 is also expected, in time, to be certified to the Canadian SFM System Standard.

Companies seeking certification to the CSA or ISO standards will do so within Canada's National Standards System using certified independent auditors and accredited registrars.

Canadian Environmental Auditing Association
1-6820 Kitimat Road,
Mississauga, Ontario Canada
L5N 5M3
Phone:(905) 567-4705
Fax: (905) 814-1158
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Last updated on ... September 8, 2000