CSA standard is updated

An updated version of the world’s largest national standard for well-managed forests has been launched by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

John Dunford, chairman of the Forest User Group representing CSA-certified forest companies in Canada, said additional requirements further validated the group’s commitment to sustainable forest management.

CSA, which covers a quarter of the world’s certified forest area, now has a suite of mandatory core indicators for measuring sustainable forest management across the country.

It also requires ongoing public dialogue with local advisory groups, reflecting the Canadian context where more than 94% of forests are publicly owned.

Nearly 83 million hectares are independently certified to the CSA standard.