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Joining the RPP

The NWFA Responsible Procurement Program (RPP) entails a commitment to continuous progress within its framework, as measured by increased sales of products approved by the program.

  • View a sample RPP licensing agreement
  • To join the RPP, please contact Michael Martin.

    The RPP provides progressive “tiers” that act like rungs on a ladder on which participants move gradually upward toward ever-higher levels of social and environmental performance.

    Tier 1 requires participation in the RPP Chain-of-Custody program. It details Program requirements for use of the NWFA Verified From U.S. Renewing Forests label with products made from domestic timber, and for assessing and managing risk for products made from timber harvested outside of the U.S. Program participants have three years from the date of issuance of their RPP Chain-of-Custody certificate to progress from Tier 1 to Tier 2.

    Tier 2 requires FSC Chain-of-Custody certification and a commitment to building, over time, trade in FSC-certified wood products. Participants at this level are expected to support the work of the FSC Procurement Group whose goal is to overcome the barriers to the FSC certification of family forest lands across the hardwood region of the U.S.

    Tier 3 is the highest level of achievement within the RPP. While the other two tiers are mandatory and time-bound, Tier 3 is has no prescribed timeline in recognition of its aspirational nature. It recognizes companies whose trade in FSC-certified products exceeds 50% of overall sales.

    For information on preparing for your audit, and further information regarding the RPP, please contact Jason Grant of Jason Grant Consulting.

    RPP Information Resources

  • RPP Program Document
  • RPP Digital Brochure
  • Green Toolkit for Wood Flooring Manufacturers

    • Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the cost of the program?
    Annual licensing fees to NWFA are based on the size of the company and underwrite the expense of developing, administering, and marketing the program. These range from $2000 to $7500 per year. The cost of annual audits also varies according to the size of the company and the complexity of its operations, but in most cases will range from $1500 and $5000

    What assures public confidence that the program is not just another “green-washing” scheme?
    The program requires an independent audit of your wood procurement practices. Also, the program has the input of and is supported by a number of prominent organizations that are widely trusted when it comes to environmental certification and claims.

    How does auditing under the RPP work?
    The NWFA will help you prepare for the initial audit. You will establish procedures to demonstrate that your products can be classified into one of the following categories based on the origin of raw materials: Unknown/Unacceptable, Verified from US Renewing Forests, FSC Certified, and Other Acceptable. The audit is conducted by an independent and professional certification organization.

    How does a company progress through the RPP framework?
    In addition to advancing through the program tiers as described above, RPP participants commit to gradually phasing out products in the unknown/unacceptable category and to increasing their production of products that are classified as acceptable, including FSC-certified products provided that FSC-certified supply is available.

    When it comes to the Verified from U.S. Renewing Forests label, who determines that the U.S. forests are renewing at a equal to or greater than what is being harvested?
    Approximately every five years, the USDA Forest Service conducts a Forest Inventory Assessment (FIA) for forests all across the US hardwood region on a county-by-county basis.

    About Our RPP Partners

    The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior.

    Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) is a global leader in independent certification and verification of environmental, sustainability, stewardship, food quality, food safety and food purity claims.

    The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests.