PEFC Sustainability of Timber Certification

The PEFC Council (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes) is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation, founded in 1999, which promotes sustainably managed forests through independent, third-party certification. 

The PEFC provides an assurance mechanism to purchasers of wood and paper products that they are promoting the sustainability of management of forests. Specifically, PEFC acts as a global umbrella organisation for the assessment and mutual recognition of national forest certification schemes developed in a multi-stakeholder process. These national schemes build upon the inter-governmental processes for the promotion of sustainability in forest management, a series of on-going mechanisms supported by 149 governments in the world, covering 85% of the world’s forest area. As a result, PEFC schemes now manage over 126 million hectares of forest, producing millions of tonnes of certified timber for the market – making PEFC the world’s largest certification scheme. In addition, millions of tonnes of certified timber are produced for the market.

Similarly, Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) is an international non-profit organisation dedicated to the promotion of responsible forest management. The FSC® has developed a unique system of independent forest certification and product labelling, helping consumers identify timber and products from responsibly managed woodlands. Furthermore, the FSC® operates as an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation (NGO).

Any timber merchant that gains the right to display the FSC® logo can confidently say that their sourced timber comes from responsibly managed forests. In other words, when consumers purchase more FSC® products, they support the management of more FSC® certified forests for the long-term well-being of people and the planet. Consequently, it’s important to look out for the FSC logo when buying timber.

FSC® has developed 10 rules, or principles, that define good management. Importantly, these principles are global; they can be applied to any forest in the world.

Principles for forest stewardship:

• Compliance with laws and FSC® principles
• Rights and responsibilities relating to land tenure and use
• Indigenous peoples’ rights
• Community relations and workers’ rights
• Benefits from the forest
• Environmental Impact
• Management plan
• Monitoring and assessment
• Maintenance of high conservation value forests
• Plantations

Scenic top down view of mixed forest in Finnish countryside, at sunset. Nature of Finland