SFI certified products are produced at mills, which utilize fiber certified by the SFI program. Fiber coming from the program is certified based on a comprehensive system of principles, objectives, and performance measure developed by professional foresters, conservationist and scientist that combines the perpetual growing and harvesting of trees with long-term protection of wildlife, plants, soil, and water quality.

Under the SFI program, participating companies plant or grow more trees than are harvested each year. This is mostly a North American Initiative.