ASTM D7612-21

Standard Practice for Categorizing Wood and Wood-Based Products According to Their Fiber Sources

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Voluntary forest certification systems have become an important factor in promoting sustainable forest management. The standards in use are highly variable, however. Even within a family of standards with a common label there is the potential for wide variations in practices. This prevents producers and consumers from using a certification label to characterize products according to a specific set of qualities or values. This practice creates a framework to differentiate products based on a set of qualities and values identified as important in the market for wood products. (A) See Appendix X3 for discussion of additional concepts related to sub-categorization of certified sources.(B) For the purposes of categorizing products under this practice, distributors and retailers can rely on “on-product” labels for chain of custody or a certified procurement system if they are not engaged in significant value-added processing or remanufacture. In lieu of an on‐product label, a certificate of compliance indicating conformance with the applicable chain of custody or certified procurement system is permitted.  
5.2 This practice is intended to be used by producers, distributors, retailers, or consumers who wish to understand where a product fits within three categories. At a minimum, the user will need to know the geographic origin of the wood going into a product and whether it is labeled or otherwise certified to a procurement system or chain of custody based on a voluntary forest management or certification standard. Producers who want to use this practice must be able to identify the geographic origin of the wood to at least the level needed to support the claims to consumers associated with a given category and described in 6.1.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice sets forth minimum criteria and evaluation requirements for products employing the use of different systems to trace wood fiber to sources operating under different forest management or forest certification systems.  
1.2 The purpose of this practice is to provide wood products manufacturers, distributors, and retailers with a system to provide clear, objective information to communicate to consumers regarding product conformance to different wood fiber tracing systems within specific forest management or forest certification programs. It provides a structure that segregates the different types of labels and tracing systems in use among major forest certification standards and other voluntary and regulatory standards governing the production of forest products.
Note 1: The principles in this practice apply internationally, provided that the required information is available to support categorization. For example, products certified to the globally recognized forest certification standards will meet the “Certified Sources” category regardless of their origin, and documented risk assessments (noted in Appendix X5) provide the basis upon which raw materials sourced from Canada and the United States can be deemed to meet the “Legal Sources” category. To categorize raw materials sourced outside of Canada and the United States as “Legal Sources,” it is recommended that the adopting entity develop supplemental provisions to address country-specific issues as needed.  
1.2.1 This practice provides an objective basis to differentiate among:
1.2.1.1 Non-controversial (that is, legal) sources of forest products,
1.2.1.2 Responsible sources of forest products (that is, non-controversial sources together with certified procurement systems or from forests managed using responsible practices), and
1.2.1.3 Certified sources of forest products (that is, non-controversial sources together with certified chain of custody).  
1.2.2 This practice is intended to provide a framework to help wood product vendors identify the competent and reliable evidence needed to substantiate product claims as required by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s Guides for ...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-Apr-2021
• ICS: 79.060.01 - Wood-based panels in general
• Technical Committee: D07 - Wood
• Drafting Committee: D07.08 - Forests

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D7612 − 21
Standard Practice for
Categorizing Wood and Wood-Based Products According to
1
Their Fiber Sources
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7612; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope evidence needed to substantiate product claims as required by
the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s Guides for the Use of
1.1 This practice sets forth minimum criteria and evaluation
Environmental Marketing Claims (also known as “The Green
requirements for products employing the use of different
Guides”).
systemstotracewoodfibertosourcesoperatingunderdifferent
1.2.3 Products from unknown sources are not covered by
forest management or forest certification systems.
this practice.
1.2 The purpose of this practice is to provide wood products
1.2.4 This practice is intended for voluntary use by
manufacturers, distributors, and retailers with a system to
manufacturers, distributors, retailers, consumers, and standards
provide clear, objective information to communicate to con-
developers in the wood products sector.
sumers regarding product conformance to different wood fiber
1.3 The category structure of this practice is derived from
tracing systems within specific forest management or forest
publiclyavailablesourcesorbasedontheprovisionsofvarious
certification programs. It provides a structure that segregates
forest management or forest certification standards. Documen-
the different types of labels and tracing systems in use among
tation of compliance with specific category requirements is the
major forest certification standards and other voluntary and
responsibilityoftheuser.Theobjectiveofthiscategorizationis
regulatory standards governing the production of forest prod-
to provide a concise and easily communicated description
ucts.
based on grouping of significant practices. It is possible that
NOTE 1—The principles in this practice apply internationally, provided
this grouping will result in some consolidation of concepts and
that the required information is available to support categorization. For
practices of individual programs. Details of these practices or
example, products certified to the globally recognized forest certification
categorization of products complying with more than one
standards will meet the “Certified Sources” category regardless of their
program are beyond the scope of this practice.
origin, and documented risk assessments (noted in Appendix X5) provide
the basis upon which raw materials sourced from Canada and the United
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
States can be deemed to meet the “Legal Sources” category.To categorize
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
raw materials sourced outside of Canada and the United States as “Legal
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Sources,” it is recommended that the adopting entity develop supplemen-
tal provisions to address country-specific issues as needed.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.2.1 This practice provides an objective basis to differen-
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
tiate among:
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.2.1.1 Non-controversial (that is, legal) sources of forest
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
products,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.2.1.2 Responsible sources of forest products (that is,
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
non-controversial sources together with certified procurement
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
systems or from forests managed using responsible practices),
and
2. Referenced Documents
1.2.1.3 Certified sources of forest products (that is, non-
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
controversial sources together with certified chain of custody).
D9 Terminology Relating to Wood and Wood-Based Prod-
1.2.2 This practice is intended to provide a framework to
ucts
help wood product vendors identify the competent and reliable
D7480 Guide for Evaluating the Attributes of a Forest
Management Plan
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D07 on Wood and
2
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.08 on Forests. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved April 15, 2021. Pu
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D7612 − 10 (Reapproved 2015) D7612 − 21
Standard Practice for
Categorizing Wood and Wood-Based Products According to
1
Their Fiber Sources
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7612; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice sets forth minimum criteria and evaluation requirements for products employing the use of different systems to
trace wood fiber to sources operating under different forest management or forest certification systems.
1.2 The purpose of this practice is to provide wood products manufacturers, distributors, and retailers with a system to provide
clear, objective information to communicate to consumers regarding product conformance to different wood fiber tracing systems
within specific forest management or forest certification programs. It provides a structure that segregates the different types of
labels and tracing systems in use among major forest certification standards and other voluntary and regulatory standards governing
the production of forest products.
NOTE 1—The principles in this practice apply internationally, provided that the required information is available to support categorization. For example,
products certified to the globally recognized forest certification standards will meet the “Certified Sources” category regardless of their origin, and
documented risk assessments (noted in Appendix X5) provide the basis upon which raw materials sourced from Canada and the United States can be
deemed to meet the “Legal Sources” category. To categorize raw materials sourced outside of Canada and the United States as “Legal Sources,” it is
recommended that the adopting entity develop supplemental provisions to address country-specific issues as needed.
1.2.1 This practice provides an objective basis to differentiate among:
1.2.1.1 Non-controversial (that is, legal) sources of forest products,
1.2.1.2 Responsible sources of forest products (that is, non-controversial sources together with certified procurement systems or
from forests managed using responsible practices), and
1.2.1.3 Certified sources of forest products (that is, non-controversial sources together with certified chain of custody).
1.2.2 This practice is intended to provide a framework to help wood product vendors identify the competent and reliable evidence
needed to substantiate product claims as required by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s Guides for the Use of Environmental
Marketing Claims (also known as “The Green Guides”).
1.2.3 Products from unknown sources are not covered by this practice.
1.2.4 This practice is intended for voluntary use by manufacturers, distributors, retailers, consumers, and standards developers in
the wood products sector.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D07 on Wood and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.08 on Forests.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2015April 15, 2021. Published October 2015May 2021. Originally approved in 2010. Last previous edition approved in 20102015 as
D7612 - 10. DOI:10.1520/D7612–10R15.– 10 (2015). DOI:10.1520/D7612-21.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D7612 − 21
1.3 The category structure of this practice is derived from publicly available sources or based on the provisions of various forest
management or forest certification standards. Documentation of compliance with specific category requirements is the
responsibility of the user. The objective of this categorization is to provide a concise and easily communicated description based
on grouping of significant practices. It is possible that this grouping will result in some consolidation of concepts and practices
of individual programs. Details of these practices or categorization of products complying with more than one program are beyond
the scope of this practice.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international
...