The New Brunswick RRA assesses each indicator following the requirements of  SBP Framework Standard 1: Feedstock Compliance Standard  for the province of New Brunswick. Where there is a high probability that an indicator is being met, it is assessed as “low risk”. Where there is a reasonable likelihood that an indicator is not being met, or there is insufficient information available to assess the risk, then the indicator is assessed as “specified risk” – precautionary approach. A Biomass Producer that has the potential of sourcing biomass where one or more indicators have been identified as “specified risk” must undertake mitigation measures to reduce the risk of non-conformance to acceptable levels. In total there are thirty-eight (38) individual indicators ranging from legality of ownership and land use to health and safety of workers. These indicators are standard globally and were developed by Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP).  

 

The scope of the New Brunswick RRA process is fibre sourced from uncertified forested land-bases found in the province. Once the New Brunswick RRA is approved by SBP, the need for individual Biomass Producers to conduct risk assessments is avoided and there is consistency between Biomass Producers in the same region.