An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a management tool that enables an organization to control the impacts of its activities, products or services on the environment. It is a structured approach for setting and achieving environmental objectives and targets, and for demonstrating that they have been achieved. The EMS requires an organization to have in place the mechanisms, policies and structure to comply with environmental legislation and regulations and to evaluate such mechanisms, policies and structure with the objective of continual improvement.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies from 130 countries. This non-governmental organization was established in 1947 to promote the standardization of related economic activities around the world. In 1996 ISO developed an international standard for environmental management systems, ISO 14001. This standard was subsequently updated in 2004.
The Environmental Management Systems for Canfor's woodlands operations received certification to ISO 14001 following an audit from independent registrars. The EMS standardizes woodlands environmental management for the identified woodlands operations and will help ensure environmental performance improves over time. Canfor recognizes that the ISO 14001 standard is an essential step in achieving independent recognition of our commitment to sustainable forest management.