Both the Canadian Sustainable Forest Management Standard (CAN/CSA-Z809-08) and the Canadian Sustainable Forest Management for Woodlots and Other Small Area Forests (CAN/CSA-Z804-08) have been endorsed by PEFC International, the world's largest forest certification system announced today."

"It is satisfying to see that it has been possible to deliver a workable standard that responds to the specific needs of Canadian woodlots owner and at the same time complies with PEFC International's Sustainability Benchmarks," said Peter de Marsh, President of the Canadian Federation of Woodlot Owners (CFWO), which initiated the development of the standard in late 2003."

"Canadian woodlots are on average less than 40 hectares in size and generally owned by rural families, with particular values that the standard needed to address. This standard gives woodlot owners across Canada, which together produce approximately 15% of the Canadian wood supply, access to the benefits of PEFC certification."

CAN/CSA-Z804 - Sustainable Forest Management Standard for Woodlots and other Small Area Forests was developed by the CSA (Canadian Standards Association) Technical Committee on Sustainable Forest Management. The main requirements are based on the Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management approved for Canada by the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM).

The standard is very similar in structure and content to CAN/CSA-Z809 SFM Standard, which first achieved PEFC endorsement in 2005. The requirements have however been adapted where necessary to meet the practical realities of managing small forests owned by families, communities and other organizations.

Both standards have been subject to an independent assessment for compliance against PEFC International's Sustainability Benchmarks and public consultations at both national and international level.

53 woodlot owners in Nova Scotia have already broken new ground with certification to the standard in a pilot program supported by the provincial government. The program has now grown to cover 92 woodlot owners and 107 woodlots.

Peter Duinker, Professor of Resource and Environmental Studies at Dalhousie University and Chair of CSA's Sustainable Forest Management Technical Committee, said, "This is a milestone achievement for sustainable forest management in Canada. I'm so proud that the first woodland certified to this standard is right here in my home province."