THE PEFC LABEL
WHAT CERTIFICATION MEANS
Many products carry endorsements and logos. For the future of the world’s forests, look for PEFC’s distinctive ‘two trees’ logo.
PEFC is an independent, not-for-profit organisation promoting sustainable forest management by certifying forests and the products that come from them.
This is your assurance that wood-based products (timber, furniture, packaging or paper) bearing the two trees logo come from well-managed forests. Today it is a recognised brand carried on many everyday products, providing consumers around the world with the knowledge that the wood or fibre used in the product originates from a responsibly-managed forest.
WHY FORESTS MATTER We all know that forests are wonderful places. They are a precious living resource providing habitats and shelter. They play a key role in regulating our climate and, of course, they supply our need for timber and paper. In addition, 1.6 billion people across the globe rely on forests for their livelihoods, yet illegal logging and forest clearance for agriculture and urban development is jeopardising their futures. The need to protect the world’s forests has never been greater.
PEFC stands for Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, which works in more than 30 countries around the world, to ensure that forests meet its high sustainability standards and that the wood fibre and timber they produce is carefully tracked through the supply chain to a huge range of finished products.
Forests are critical for sustainable development. They provide a wealth of goods and services that are essential for people’s lives, livelihoods and the green economy. Maintaining and enhancing our planet’s forest resources is essential if we are to succeed in the global efforts to alleviate poverty, address water scarcity and biodiversity loss, and mitigate climate change.
As consumers, we can make a difference: we can choose to buy only certified wood and paper products.
PEFC’s approach to sustainable forest management includes demanding environmental, social and economic requirements. Independent auditors verify that these are being met.
Certification is a two part process: Forest certification assures that forests are managed in line with challenging environmental, social and economic needs, balancing People, Planet and Profit. Chain of Custody certification covers traceability of the wood from forest to final product. Certification is awarded after third party audits verify that the forestry practices and the Chain of Custody systems are in compliance with PEFC’s internationally-recognised standards. Today, over 15,000 companies and over 260 million hectares of forest globally, are PEFC certified.
KEY REQUIREMENTS SET BY THE PEFC STANDARD INCLUDE: • Ecologically important forest areas are safeguarded • Biological diversity is enhanced and protected • Plantations established by conversions from natural forests can’t be certified • The most hazardous chemicals are prohibited • Genetically modified trees are prohibited • The rights of forest workers and indigenous peoples are protected • Local employment is encouraged • Fundamental International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions are complied with • Local people and stakeholders are consulted • Traditional land rights and local customs are respected.
SUPPORT FOR THE WORLD’S FORESTS Today about 10% of the world’s forests are certified – 60% of these to PEFC-endorsed standards. Look for the PEFC Logo to ensure you only buy responsibly-sourced products and support businesses which invest in sustainability. You’ll find our green trees logo on catalogues, magazines, company literature, supermarket packaging, DIY timber products, copier paper and envelopes, and in many other places as more and more businesses recognise the benefits of the PEFC programme and label. Remember that by choosing products bearing the PEFC two trees logo you are demonstrating your support for the responsible management of our most precious natural resource: the world’s forests.
PEFC’s distinctive ‘two trees’ logo transcends language barriers, making it a truly global brand. Find out more at
www.pefc.co.uk
PEFC UK Limited Sheffield Technology Parks Cooper Buildings, Arundel Street Sheffield S1 2NS t 0114 307 2334 e info@pefc.co.uk w www.pefc.co.uk
PEFC: THE RESPONSIBLE CHOICE FOR FOREST PRODUCTS A CONSUMER GUIDE TO PEFC