Anderson first to earn RPP certification from NWFA
Anderson Hardwood Floors has become the first company to be certified under the National Wood Flooring Association’s Responsible Procurement Program (RPP), following an audit that began in August. The audit was conducted by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), an accredited certifier with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
The NWFA established the RPP to recognize wood flooring companies that work to sustain forests. The program is supported by the Forest Stewardship Council-US and the FSC Family Forests Alliance. Anderson was certified in both Tier One and Tier Two of the program. A third tier is also available as part of the program.
Tier One is the entry-level stage, and requires a company to: develop and adopt a Responsible Procurement Policy that conforms to RPP requirements; source domestic raw materials from forests that are identified as renewing by the USDA Forest Service, and conform to FSC criteria for controlled wood; participate in the RPP Chain of Custody Program; provide independent verification for legal harvesting of raw materials sourced outside the US; and advance to Tier Two within three years.
Tier Two is the transitional stage, and requires a company to: obtain FSC Chain of Custody certification; source raw materials from FSC-certified forests and establish targets to increase use of FSC-certified materials; join the FSC Procurement Group to help increase availability of FSC-certified wood; and meet FSC controlled wood standards within two years of entering Tier Two.
Tier Three, the highest-level stage, requires a company to: meet all Tier One and Tier Two requirements; achieve at least 50% sales in FSC-certified wood; and meet FSC controlled wood standards for all non FSC-certified wood.
According to the NWFA, Mullican Flooring is undergoing its audit for NWFA RPP certification. Other companies that have begun the process include Cikel America, Johnson Premium Hardwood Flooring, Mannington, and Mohawk.
The NWFA established the RPP to recognize wood flooring companies that work to sustain forests. The program is supported by the Forest Stewardship Council-US and the FSC Family Forests Alliance. Anderson was certified in both Tier One and Tier Two of the program. A third tier is also available as part of the program.
Tier One is the entry-level stage, and requires a company to: develop and adopt a Responsible Procurement Policy that conforms to RPP requirements; source domestic raw materials from forests that are identified as renewing by the USDA Forest Service, and conform to FSC criteria for controlled wood; participate in the RPP Chain of Custody Program; provide independent verification for legal harvesting of raw materials sourced outside the US; and advance to Tier Two within three years.
Tier Two is the transitional stage, and requires a company to: obtain FSC Chain of Custody certification; source raw materials from FSC-certified forests and establish targets to increase use of FSC-certified materials; join the FSC Procurement Group to help increase availability of FSC-certified wood; and meet FSC controlled wood standards within two years of entering Tier Two.
Tier Three, the highest-level stage, requires a company to: meet all Tier One and Tier Two requirements; achieve at least 50% sales in FSC-certified wood; and meet FSC controlled wood standards for all non FSC-certified wood.
According to the NWFA, Mullican Flooring is undergoing its audit for NWFA RPP certification. Other companies that have begun the process include Cikel America, Johnson Premium Hardwood Flooring, Mannington, and Mohawk.
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