Environmental certification: A summary of US perspectives and attitudes

Environmental certification of forest management, harvesting and resulting wood products is a complicated set of issues that affect many stakeholders. Between 1996 and 1998, a series of studies were conducted to determine attitudes toward certification. Solid wood manufacturers, home center retailers, building contractors, architects, consumers, and public forestland managers were surveyed. Results indicate that there are differences in attitudes and willingness to pay for certified wood products or certification procedures between these groups. By better understanding the different positions on certification, informed business decisions and policies about environmental certification can be made.