ATFS Certification

The American Tree Farm System offers third party certification to lands meeting the ATFS Eligibility Requirements.  Landowners have three options to ATFS certification.

1.  Individual Third Party Certification

2.  Group Certification through Independently Managed Group (IMG) Organizations

3.  Group Certification through ATFS Regional State Program Forest Owner

Who can certify to ATFS?

Certification Bodies operating forest management certification against ATFS shall be accredited by ANAB accreditation program for ATFS and notified by US PEFC National Governing Body, SFI Inc. Certification shall be carried out as accredited certification within the scope of the ANAB accreditation.

ATFS Eligibility Requirements

The AFF Board of Trustees approved the attached requirements for all properties seeking ATFS Certification. The approved requirements apply to Individual Certification, Independently Managed Group (IMG) Certification, and properties certified through ATFS Regional State Program Forest Owner Group Certification.

Eligibility Requirements for ATFS Certification

Standards and Guidelines

Certification in ATFS is voluntary. The certification process incorporates established standards and guidelines. All properties certified under the three certification options must conform to the AFF Standards of Sustainability for Forest Certification (AFF Standards). The American Forest Foundation, a 501c.3, not-for-profit, organization located in Washington DC has sole responsibility for setting the AFF Standards.

AFF Standards and Glossary of Terms

For more information on AFF Standard Setting Process visit www.forestfoundation.org

Chain of Custody Certification

The American Tree Farm System offers Chain of Custody (CoC) through the PEFC Annex 4 CoC Standard and PEFC requirements for Certification Bodies operating CoC Certification for Annex 4 – as valid and amended. For more information visit www.pefc.org.

PEFC Logo Use

Forest entities covered by ATFS certification may use the PEFC logo, limited to off product use. All entities interested in using the PEFC logo must obtain a license by the PEFC National Governing Body, SFI Inc. SFI Inc is the agency responsible in the USA for issuing PEFC logo use rights in the USA. The PEFC US Governing Body will direct you to the PEFC Annex 5, PEFC Logo Use Rules and guide you through the process. For more information, visit www.pefc.org.

ATFS Logo Use

ATFS does not offer an on product label. The ATFS logo may be used by qualified parties. Please refer to the ATFS Logo Use Rules for more information.

ATFS Signage Use

Certified Tree Farmers may display the ATFS sign and crossbar. The sign must be displayed properly and only while the landowner is in conformance with the AFF Standards.