Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification
What is PEFC?
The PEFC Council (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) 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 sustainable management of forests.
The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification means we are part of the worlds largest forest certification programme. Two thirds of the worlds certified forests (a total area in excess of 200 million hectares) are managed by PEFC-endorsed certification systems, delivering millions of tonnes of certified timber onto the global market. In just over three years, PEFC UK has seen a ten fold increase in demand for Chain of Custody certificates, demonstrating a growing appetite for certified products.
Why is PEFC so successful?
PEFC respects and relies on worldwide, internationally agreed processes for certification and sustainable forestry as the basis on which to build national certification standards and schemes. Through PEFC, customers, trade and industry all over the world can rely on the fact that forest management with PEFC certification in any country will exceed the internationally approved strict requirements.
What will certification do for you?
Consumers - can support sustainable forestry through the purchase of products that use raw material harvested from certified forests.
Retailers/traders (customers of the wood processing industry) - can support their business activity by promoting the use of wood / paper products sustainably managed sources.
The wood processing industry - can improve the image of its sector and promote the use of its products.
