Aug 30, 2011. /Lesprom Network/. International Forest Products Limited (Interfor) has achieved third-party certification to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) standard for its recently acquired Grand Forks and Castlegar Woods Divisions in south east British Columbia, Canada, as the company said in a press release received by Lesprom Network. All of Interfor's woodlands in BC are now certified to SFI. Interfor has been a leader in forest certification - in 2001, its Coastal Woodlands became the first public lands in Canada to be certified to the SFI standard. “With SFI forest certification, Interfor is demonstrating our commitment to sustainable forest management. We are proud to be part of one of the world's leading forest certification programs,” said Ric Slaco, VP and Chief Forester. Non-profit SFI is a comprehensive, independent certification program that works with environmental, social and industry partners to promote sustainable forest management in North America and responsible fibre sourcing worldwide. More than 73 million hectares are certified to the SFI forest management standard in North America making it the largest single forest standard in the world. “Interfor joins progressive organizations that are demonstrating their leadership by certifying their lands to the SFI standard,” said SFI President and CEO Kathy Abusow. “This is especially important at a time when just 10% of the world's forests are certified and demand for products from certified forests is rising." In the spring of 2011 Interfor also certified its Grand Forks and Castlegar sawmills to both SFI and PEFC chain of custody. As part of its forest certification, Interfor is required to undergo annual surveillance audits as well as full certification to the SFI 2010-2014 standard every three years. Interfor is one of the Pacific Northwest's largest producers of quality wood products. The Company has operations in British Columbia, Washington and Oregon, including two sawmills in the Coastal region of British Columbia, three in the B.C. Interior, two in Washington and two in Oregon.