The program and polices formed by the American Forest and Paper Association (AFandPA). SFI was developed in response to criticism from environmentalists aimed at logging practices that did not promote forest sustainability. SFI is the industrial counterpart to programs promoted by Smartwood (non-profit)and Scientific Certification Systems (for profit) which promote and certify landowners engaged in proactive and sustainable forest management. AFandPA requires all its members to comply with SFI principles among which is the requirement that forest management be "certified" by an independent third party. SFI certification can be easily confused with "green certification" promoted by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

A system of principles, objectives and performance measures developed by professional foresters, conservationists and scientists, that is based on the perpetual growing and harvesting of trees.

A comprehensive system of principles, objectives and performance measures developed by foresters, conservationists and scientists that combines the perpetual growing and harvesting of trees with the protection of wildlife, plants, soil and water quality. For more information, please go to http://www.afandpa.org