New UL Standard References SFI as Credible Sustainable Forestry Standard

Submitted: The Two Sides Team November 29, 2013

UL Environment, a business unit of Underwriters Laboratories (UL), has issued a new UL Standard (UL 175) for Sanitary Paper Products that specifically includes the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) among forest certification standards that can be used as evidence that a product meets the 'Sustainable Forest Source' or 'System for Evidence Sourcing' criteria.

via Sustainable Forestry Initiative

November 21st, 2013

"With this new standard, UL Environment joins a growing list of leading organizations who recently announced their recognition of all credible forest certification standards , including SFI," SFI President and CEO Kathy Abusow said. "From the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and The Sustainability Consortium to GreenBlue, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Association of State Foresters, respected authorities agree that all the leading forest certification programs demonstrate adherence to responsible forestry practices."

"We were happy to work with UL Environment to upgrade this Standard's requirements for the sustainable sourcing of fiber, including clearer rules for how to evidence the sourcing of fiber," said Jason Metnick, SFI Vice President for Customer Affairs. "As the North American leader in forest certification, SFI is committed to promoting responsible forestry and sourcing of forest and paper products, including sanitary paper products."

The UL Standard was designed to 'improve and/or maintain environmental quality by reducing energy and materials consumption and by minimizing the impacts of pollution generated by the production, use and disposal of goods and services.' It covers sanitary paper products, including toilet tissue, facial tissue, table napkins, kitchen towels and hand towels. UL looked at seven key indicators that include lower energy use, lower emissions, increased landfill diversion, lower emissions of greenhouse gases, responsible management of water use, careful screening of toxicological risks and higher use of recycled content and other sustainable choices.