PEFC Certification

SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT AND PRODUCT CHAIN OF CUSTODY

Forest management certification refers to a recognized, well established verification procedure that leads to the issuance, by an independent body, of a certificate attesting that forest management practices meet specified sustainability requirements.

What is PEFC?

PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) is a foremost global coalition of national forest certification schemes. It is an international, nonprofit, non governmental organization dedicated to advancing sustainable forest management through independent, third party certification.

PEFC is grounded in the commitments adopted at the European Ministerial Conferences on the Protection of Forests in Europe. It was established in the 1990s by stakeholders from the forestry and timber sectors, and its 2005 revision reflects subsequent developments. The program recognizes a wide range of national forest standards and other relevant norms.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF PEFC CERTIFICATION?

  • Supply chain criteria
    Applies consistent criteria across the entire supply chain to ensure paper and wood products sourced from forests managed under environmental, economic, and social standards comply with those requirements

  • Trust mark for buyers
    Serves as a reliable indicator for customers and consumers to identify products originating from sustainably managed forest resources

  • Umbrella function
    Acts as an umbrella organization, enabling national forest certification schemes to be implemented at regional and local levels

  • Broad recognition
    Acknowledges numerous national certification programs

  • Uniform Chain of Custody
    Maintains a mandatory, internationally harmonized Chain of Custody (product traceability) standard.

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HOW TO OBTAIN PEFC CERTIFICATION?

The main stages of the certification process proposed by Bureau Veritas include:

  • Preliminary review (on request)
    Gap analysis and assessment of the organization’s current conformity with the requirements of the standard

  • Certification audit
    An assessment to verify the system’s conformity with the reference standard, culminating in the issuance of the certificate

  • Surveillance audits
    Periodic (annual) audits to check ongoing compliance with the applicable standards and to maintain the validity of the certificate

  • Recertification
    After 5 years, a full audit is conducted to reissue the certificate for a new 5 year period.

At each step of the process, the company receives a comprehensive report, and Bureau Veritas provides support throughout the entire validity period of the certificate.

FAQ – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PEFC CERTIFICATION

  • WHO BENEFITS FROM PROGRAMME FOR THE ENDORSEMENT OF FOREST CERTIFICATION?

    PEFC sets baseline criteria for forest certification systems and is geared toward forest businesses, the timber trade, and the wood processing sector. The PEFC label signals responsible forestry practices and end to end traceability, documenting the flow of wood all the way to the final consumer.