What is PEFC?

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 sustain-
able management of forests. PEFC certification is a transparent

system of forest inspection plus a means of tracking timber and

paper, from harvested tree through to the finished product.

PEFC is a global umbrella organisation for the assessment

and mutual recognition of national forest certification schemes

devel oped in a multi-stake-holder process. These national sche-

mes build upon the inter-governmental processes for the pro-

motion of sustainable forest management, a series of on-going

mecha nisms supported by 149 governments in the world covering

85% of the world’s forest area.

The interest in certification of sustainably managed forests and
trace bility of wood and paper products grew out of concern for

the pre servation of tropical forests and as a proactive alternati-

ve to timber boycotts, in order to protect the rainforest from

clear cutting and il legal felling. It has developed into an interest

in cer tifying all the World’s forests.

Forest certification provides an assurance that the timber and

paper products you are buying come from legal and sustainable

sources.