
- West Fraser's internal environmental management systems (“EMS”) are based on the ISO 14001 framework
- Woodlands EMS is audited internally, our forestry management and fibre sourcing is audited and certified by independent auditors
Environmental Performance & Compliance
Our operations are subject to environmental protection laws and regulations in the United States and Canada. We have developed and apply internal programs (such as our environmental monitoring systems) and policies to help ensure that our operations are in compliance with applicable laws and standards and to address any instances of non-compliance. We are committed to responsible stewardship of the environment and to the continual improvement of our forest practices and manufacturing procedures so we can optimize the use of resources and minimize the impact of our operations on the environment.
Our environmental management systems (“EMS”) are based on the ISO 14001 framework. Our EMS provides a systematic approach to meeting our Environmental Policy commitments, complying with environmental legislation, reducing the potential impact of our activities on the environment and striving for continual improvement. The core elements of the EMS are common to all divisions, while each mill or woodlands division customizes the operational elements.
One of the most effective methods to achieve continual improvement is to investigate environmental incidents, including near misses. The West Fraser EMS requires the identification of the root cause(s) of an incident and development of an action plan that includes corrective measures, preventative measures to reduce the likelihood of a reoccurrence, and follow-up at a later date to evaluate effectiveness of the action plan.