Improving forest management through the supply Chain: An assessment of wood procurement management systems in the forest products industry

Out of concern over the sustainability of harvesting practices on nonindustrial private forests, primary forest product companies are changing their wood procurement practices to improve forest management throughout their supply chain. A survey of 700 wood procurement operations industry-wide was conducted to measure environmental management system (EMS) development related to the adoption of these practices. EMS were evaluated for policies, goals and a process for implementing, monitoring, evaluating and improving performance. Of the 261 operations responding, 14 operations had well developed, 111 moderately developed, 107 poorly developed and 29 undeveloped EMS. Operations that participated in SFI, underwent FSC, ISO or SFI 3(rd)-party certification, that were publicly owned, or had high levels of public-interaction had the most developed EMS. Operations that did not participate in forest certification, had low levels of public interaction, or were privately owned had less developed EMS. Firms that have poorly developed EMS will have difficulty improving forest management throughout their supply chain in the future.