Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
January 20, 2016

Committed to Responsible Stewardship

ISO 14001:2004 Certification Demonstrates Environmental Accountability

The Forestry and Agrifoods Agency, Forestry Services Branch, has achieved ISO 14001:2004 certification for its Environmental Management System, thereby positioning Newfoundland and Labrador on the leading edge of environmentally-responsible forest management.

�Achieving ISO 14001:2004 certification is a great achievement. It enables the Provincial Government to explore the feasibility of further forest management certification for Crown lands from which wood products companies obtain their timber. Certification will have a positive impact on Newfoundland and Labrador�s integrated sawmills and value-added forest products companies. This provides a competitive advantage for companies compared to those who do not market under any such label.�
- The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is the world�s largest developer and publisher of international standards. The ISO 14001:2004 certification is an environmental management standard used in all industry sectors to demonstrate commitment to environmental protection and to assure public confidence in management activities. Achieving ISO certification is a commitment outlined in the 2014-2024 Provincial Sustainable Forest Management Strategy, Growing Our Renewable and Sustainable Forest Economy.

�The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society congratulates the Newfoundland and Labrador Government on achieving ISO 14001:2004 certification. This is a significant achievement and builds upon the Provincial Sustainable Forest Management Strategy released last year.
- Chris Miller, National Conservation Biologist, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society

To maintain certification, Forestry Services Branch must demonstrate continuous improvement in its Environmental Management System implementation and ensure all Crown forest land operators continue to operate within the prescribed standards.

�This achievement will strengthen Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited�s chain of custody for wood from outside Corner Brook Pulp and Paper�s timber limits originating from environmentally-sound, managed forests. Certification to ISO 14001:2004 is an important commitment to environmental management for any organization and demands continual improvement in order to maintain certification. Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited offers its continued support to the Forestry Services Branch on sustaining this certification.�
- David Chamberlain, Woodlands Manager, Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited

Forest management certification is voluntary and available to organizations that wish to have their forest management activities certified against a sustainable forest management standard. Forest industry stakeholders have indicated they support pursuing certification on Crown forest land.

The ISO 14001:2004 certification assures residents of Newfoundland and Labrador that the forest industry, which is valued at $286 million annually and employs approximately 5,120 people through direct and indirect employment, is being managed to higher standards.

Information on Environmental Management System Certification can be found at www.faa.gov.nl.ca/forestry/ems/index.html

QUICK FACTS

• The Forestry and Agrifoods Agency, Forestry Services Branch, has achieved ISO 14001:2004 certification for its Environmental Management System.
• ISO 14001:2004 certification is an environmental management standard used in all industry sectors to demonstrate commitment to environmental protection and to assure public confidence in management activities.
• ISO 14001:2004 certification enables the Provincial Government to explore the feasibility of further forest management certification for Crown lands from which wood products companies obtain their timber.
• Achieving ISO certification is a commitment outlined in the 2014-2024 Provincial Sustainable Forest Management Strategy, Growing Our Renewable and Sustainable Forest Economy.

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Media contact:
Tansy Mundon
Director of Communications
Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
Forestry and Agrifoods Agency
709-729-4570, 693-1865
tansymundon@gov.nl.ca

2016 01 20                             10:55 a.m.