Friday, September 16, 2011

SFI is losing another battle against FSC with seven companies deciding to stop using it

ForestEthics announced earlier this week that seven companies, including five Fortune 500 companies has joined a growing corporate movement against the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), a controversial forestry certification.

Here is a summary of actions or commitments by these seven companies as provided by ForestEthics:
  • Sprint will shift all billing statement paper from SFI to Forest Stewardship Council, a more rigorous label, and will phase out use of the SFI logo on billing envelopes. Finally, Sprint has committed to give purchasing preference to FSC-certified paper.
  • Norm Thompson Outfitters removed all references to SFI in print materials and websites and committed to avoid promotion of SFI.
  • King Arthur Flour stopped using the SFI logo on its catalogs and switched to FSC certified paper.
  • AT&T committed to avoid using the SFI logo and name in its materials, and to give purchasing preference to FSC certified products for all new paper purchases.
  • State Farm changed the paper for its biggest promotional item, the State Farm Road Atlas, from SFI to FSC – and committed to state a preference for FSC when the company revises its comprehensive paper policy.
  • U.S. Bank committed to avoid using the SFI name and logo on printed materials and other company communications, and to use only the FSC seal when a forest eco-label is used.
  • Comcast committed to steps that will avoid future company promotion of SFI.
You can read my analysis on the latest round in the fight on the credibility of the SFI certification and its implications on Triple Pundit.

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