Forest and timber certification schemes

1 Introduction
2 Associated terms
3 Country based certification schemes
4 Other certification schemes
5 External links
6 Related articles on Designing Buildings

[edit] Introduction

Certification of forest management might be defined as “an established and recognised procedure which results in a certificate confirming the quality of forest management in relation to a set of predetermined standards, based on an independent (third party) assessment.” (Baharuddin and Simula, ITTO, December 1997).

The two best known forest certification labels are the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) which is an international mark and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) which is also international and often favoured by smaller scale producers. Whilst it is generally accepted these schemes are an important tool in the management of forests and the primary checking mechanism both in Europe and Internationally they are not perfect and are not without criticism.

It should also be noted that, although arguably the most established, FSC and PEFC certification schemes are not the only schemes in existence, many country level schemes also exist, (recognised to varying degrees by both FSC / PEFC) as well as other certification schemes. In all cases certification schemes are not perfect but should be third party recognised and assessed individually.

Sustainable Forest Management SFM is defined by the UN as “dynamic and evolving concept, which aims to maintain and enhance the economic, social and environmental values of all types of forests, for the benefit of present and future generations.”

[edit] Associated terms

Although many certification schemes are voluntary they may also directly or indirectly relate to guidelines, laws, regulations, terms and acronyms. Some of these are outlined below:

EUTR - European Union Timber Regulation aims to counter illegal logging and associated trade in timber and timber products in the member states of the European Union, and ultimately contribute to sustainable management of forests and reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation beyond EU borders.
FLEGT - Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade. The EU's FLEGT Action Plan was established in 2003. It aims to reduce illegal logging by strengthening sustainable and legal forest management, improving governance and promoting trade in legally produced timber.
ASI - Assurance Services International is responsible for checking certification body compliance with rules and procedures through a combination of field and office audits.
FAO UN - Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations applies the Forest Principles, which were included in Chapter 11 of Agenda 21, adopted by nations at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.

[edit] Country based certification schemes

Below is a list of country or regional level schemes and whether they are operational and endorsed (NB their status changes and should be checked).

UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS) is an independent certification standard for verifying sustainable woodland management in the UK that is used for both Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) certification.
Responsible wood - Responsible Wood is the National Governing Body for PEFC in Australia.
SFI - Sustainable Forestry Initiative - USA (& parts of Canada). In operation and endorsed by PEFC.
CFV (Consejo Boliviano para la Certificacin Forestal Voluntaria) – Bolivia. In operation and endorsed by FSC.
Finnish Forest Certification Council- Finland. In operation and endorsed by PEFC.
Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific, PNG- Papua New Guinea. In operation and targeting FSC endorsement.
Lembaga Ekolabel Indonesia (LEI)- Indonesia. In operation, indicatively comparable to FSC but endorsement unclear.
Living Forests LRF Skogsagarna- Norway Sweden. In operation and endorsed by PEFC.
PEFC Austria- Austria. In operation and endorsed by PEFC.
PEFC Germany- Germany. In operation and endorsed by PEFC.
PEFC Switzerland and HWK-Zertifizierungsstelle- Switzerland. In operation and seemingly endorsed by PEFC.
Standards Council of Canada- Canada. In operation and endorsed by PEFC.
Swedish FSC Council- Sweden. In operation and endorsed by FSC.
UK Woodland Assurance Scheme Steering Group- United Kingdom. In operation and endorsed by FSC.
Associacao Brasileira de Normas Tecnicas- Brazil. Indicatively not in operation and endorsement status not known.
Brazilian Forest Certification Programme (CERFLOR). In operation and endorsed by PEFC.
CEF (Certification Espanola Forestal)- Spain. Status not known.
PEFC Spain. - In operation and endorsed by PEFC.
Conselho Da Fileira Florestal Portuguesa- Portugal. Status not known.
PEFC Portugal. - In operation and endorsed by PEFC.
Council of the National Certification Centre - Czech Republic. Status not known.
PEFC Czech Republic. - In operation and endorsed by PEFC.
German FSC – Germany. Indicatively in operation.
Ghana Forest Management Certification Systems Project – Ghana. In operation seeking PEFC endorsement.
National Timber Certification Council, Malaysia – Malaysia. Status not known.
Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC)- In operation and endorsed by PEFC.
PEFC Council of Latvia Latvia. In operation and endorsed by PEFC.
PEFC Denmark. In operation and endorsed by PEFC.
PEFC France. In operation and endorsed by PEFC.
Sociedad para el Manego Forestal Sustainable, A.C.- Mexico. Status not known.

[edit] Other certification schemes

Below is a list of known international certification schemes, their status changes and so should be checked via the internal and external links provided.