Author: Many Stakeholders
Report– Mar 08, 2006
Executive Summary
The Pan Canadian Woodlot Certification Program (PCWCP) is designed for application to private woodlots and other small forests under 4000 ha (10,000 acres) in area.
Forest products companies are increasingly obtaining certification to one or more of the three main forest management certification programs in use in Canada (CSA, FSC, SFI). Wood from private woodlots is often an important component of their wood supply. The Pan Canadian Woodlot Certification Program (PCWCP) has been designed to meet those requirements of the three programs that are applicable to private woodlots. Discussions are underway with the administrators of the three programs that will hopefully lead to endorsement of the PCWCP. A common audit protocol is also being discussed.
Prior to endorsement, or recognition, audits will be carried out by auditors working for accredited Registrars/Certifiers. Following endorsement and until an agreement has been reached on a common audit protocol, audits and certification to the requirements of the PCWCP will be carried out by auditors and registrars/certifiers accredited to the program(s) favoured in the local marketplace (CSA, FSC or SFI).
Woodlot Management Organizations that provide technical and management services to a group of woodlot owners may want to offer PCWCP certification to woodlot owners. This will be done most efficiently with an organized Implementation Program that provides participating woodlot owners with information and assistance to comply with the requirements of the PCWCP. An efficient Implementation Program will facilitate audit procedures. The audit will include a review of the implementation program as well as an on-the-ground audit of a sample of participating woodlots.
The PCWCP proposes to use the existing system of auditors and registrars/certifiers that carry out other forest management audits and certification. Both woodlot management organizations and individual woodlot owners that want to claim certification to the requirements of the PCWCP will undergo a third party audit.
Claims and Labelling: The PCWCP does not include a proprietary labelling program. Claims and labelling will conform to the requirements of the certification program used by the forest products companies purchasing the wood.
Dispute Resolution: In cases of dispute over a Third-Party Certification, the procedures established by the certification bodies will be followed.