Certification of forestry activities is considered as a best practice in forest and sustainable resource management, and an important tool for market access. Domestic and international market interest in buying wood products from certified forests has increased steadily and many forest companies in the province have received third-party registration of their forest management programs. While forestry certification is voluntary, it is supported by the provincial government and complements the Forest and Range Practices Act.

BCTS has achieved third-party forestry certification for its forestry operations in all Business Areas. This achievement has required significant collaboration with licensees, contractors and permittees.

The Skeena Business Area has achieved certification in its operating areas through the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS). Details about various procedures, checklists, training modules and other aspects of an EMS are available from the following link.

• Environmental Management System (EMS) through the ISO 14001-2004 standard

The Skeena Business Area will be seeking certification within the North Coast, Kalum and Skeena-Stikine Forest Districts through the Sustainable Forestry Board Inc, Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFIS 2005-2009). Details about the Skeena Business Area SFMP is available from the following link:

• Sustainable Forest Management Plan (SFMP) through SFIS 2005-2009

In September 2007, an audit team from KPMG Performance Registrar Inc. (KPMG PRI) carried out a SFI certification audit of the BC Timber Sales Skeena Business Area (Skeena BA) woodlands operations in northwestern British Columbia against the requirements of the 2005 - 2009 edition of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) standard. To provide for a more efficient audit, an ISO 14001 surveillance audit was conducted at the same time. The Certification Summary Report provides an overview of the process and KPMG’s findings.

• Skeena SFI Certification Audit 2007

If you have any question about BC Timber Sales Certification, have an environmental concern, or have found an activity that you feel is an environmental concern, please click on the following link to complete and send the Certification Public Comment Form.

• Certification Public Comment Form

An Environmental Management System is the standard that forestry organizations must achieve and adhere to in order to be recognized as a certified forestry operator under ISO 14001, which is the standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization. An EMS allows an organization to arrange and focus its management activities into an integrated, functioning system built on ISO 14001 requirements, including the monitoring and management of environmental impacts and risks within administrative, planning, and operational activities.

Further information on Certifications can be found on the Certification Home Page at http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/het/certification/index.htm