Comprehensive, online decision-support tool to facilitate direct dialogue and collaboration between producers and buyers on various issues; allows users to evaluate trade-offs in purchasing decisions.

Geographical Areas of Interest

Global, but primarily U.S.and Canada

Supply Chain Focus

Forest production

Processing/Manufacturing

Retail/Use

Related CHapters

Traceability

Rates percentage of new fiber input that can be traced back to its origin to the forest management unit. Allows users to view individual companies’ part of the final product.

Information Accuracy

Rates degree of verification. It also rates whether a company has EMS, monitoring programs and procedures to manage negative impacts on communities.

Legality

Rates compliance of paper-making facilities with international labor, human and health conventions.

SFM

Rates fiber from operations certified under CSA, FSC, PEFC, SFI and other national and international certification systems.

Unique Forest Values

Measures the extent to which paper producers and their fiber suppliers identify and manage fiber from sensitive forests. Criteria for sensitive forests include biodiversity, viable natural species populations, rare, threatened or endangered ecosystems, ecosystem services, subsistence needs and critical cultural values.

Social Aspects

Rates mill systems for ensuring worker safety and health, engagement with stakeholders, and public disclosure of indicators covered by EPAT.

Pollution

Rates minimization of impacts on water, air, soil and climate; rates release of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, total particulate matter, mercury, absorbable organic halogens, total suspended solids, carbon dioxide, as well as solid waste, total suspended solids and oxygen demand per unit of finished product and by types of mills.

Fresh and Recycled Fiber

Rates the percentage of pre- and post-consumer fiber, as well as the use of agricultural residues.

Climate

Rates the CO2 emitted to the air per unit of product, as well as efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.