Forestry
Forest Conservation Program
SCS developed its Forest Conservation Program in 1991 and has since emerged as a leading certifier of forest management operations and wood product manufacturers. In 1996, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) accredited SCS as a certification body, enabling it to evaluate forests according to the FSC Principles and Criteria for Forest Stewardship. Through a well-developed network of regional representatives and contractors, SCS offers timely and cost-effective certification services around the world.
Overall leadership and direction for the program is provided by Dr. Robert J. Hrubes, SCS Senior Vice President. Dr. Hrubes is a registered professional forester and resource economist with extensive experience in third-party certification. A staff of 7 professionals and technicians reports to Dr. Hrubes, through two Divisional Directors: Mr. David Wager (forest management certification) and Mr. Aaron Maizlish (chain-of-custody certification).
Over the past 12 years, SCS has certified more than 23.8 million acres of natural forests and plantations in North, Central, and South America, Europe, Asia, and New Zealand through its Forest Management Certification division. Certified operations have ranged from small 100-hectare parcels to 2.5-million hectare forests. SCS also offers a group certification format, such as certified resource managers, to lower certification costs for small landowners. For each certification audit, an interdisciplinary evaluation team of experts in forest science and management is assembled.
Since the mid-1990s, SCS has also offered FSC certification to wood product manufacturers. Our Chain-of-Custody Certification division has audited and certified over 500 manufacturers, distributors, and retailers who make or carry certified wood products. SCS has issued chain-of-custody certificates in over 29 countries spanning 5 continents.
In addition to FSC certification, SCS offers an independent, non-aligned certification program for clients seeking an alternative to existing, potentially polarizing certification schemes. SCS also offers wood product manufacturers the option of pursuing single attribute claims (e.g., recycled, recovered, salvaged wood, etc.) certification.
SCS also provides third party validation and verification services of forestry carbon offset projects. Please contact Robert Hrubes for information about having your carbon offset project certified.
*FSC Trademark © 1996 Forest Stewardship Council A.C. FSC-ACC-003