The Northeast Master Logger Certification Program offers third-party independent certification of logging companies' harvesting practices. The certification system is built around standards that have been cross-referenced to all of the world's major green certification systems.
The NEMLC program is the recipient of the world’s first SmartLogging certificate – an international harvest standards recognition by the Rainforest Alliance’s SmartWood program, and NEMLC is audited annually to maintain this certificate. The innovation of point-of-harvest certification within the NEMLC program is also integrated with it’s parent organization’s, the Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands’ (TCNF), FSC certificates for forest management, chain of custody and controlled wood toward building an independently third party certified supply chain at every link.
The content of the master logger program is based on a common vision for the rural communities and forest resources of the Northeast. These eight goals guide Master Loggers in their work: Document Harvest Planning, Protect Water Quality, Maintain Soil Productivity, Sustain Forest Ecosystems, Manage Forest Aesthetics, Ensure Workplace Safety, Demonstrate Continuous Improvement, and Ensure Business Viability. There are detailed harvest responsibilities with explicit performance standards under each goal.
Field verifiers visit actual harvest sites to determine whether candidates for Northeast Master Logger Certification are meeting and exceeding the standards that are required for certification. Their findings are submitted to an independent, national board that makes the final decision on whether a company will be certified.