An Intro to Forest Certification
The Forest Certification Process
Sustainable Forests
Sustainable forest management is about caring for our forests in a way that ensures they remain healthy, growing forests for generations to come. By following practices like those outlined in the Responsible Wood Certification Scheme, we ensure that when we use the forest’s resources, such as timber, we do so responsibly. This means ensuring the trees regrow when they are harvested, the habitat for wildlife is maintained, and the well-being of local communities is supported.
It’s a balanced approach that considers the environmental, social, cultural and economic needs of today while preserving the forest’s ability to meet those needs in the future. In other words, we’re making sure the forest continues to be valued for generations to come.
Setting Standards
Setting a standard involves a thorough and inclusive process to ensure forest management and harvest practices meet the highest environmental and social benchmarks. This process begins with gathering input from a wide range of stakeholders, including environmental groups, industry experts, and local communities, to ensure the standards reflect a broad consensus on sustainable and responsible forestry.
The standards are then regularly reviewed and updated to incorporate the latest scientific research and feedback from on-the-ground experiences, ensuring they remain relevant and effective. This rigorous approach to standard-setting maintains the delicate balance between meeting today’s needs and preserving the forest for future generations.
Independent Verification
The audit process for forest certification is like a thorough examination to ensure that the forest is managed responsibly and sustainably. Auditors visit the forest, interviewing the people who work there and those affected by its operations, to get a full picture of how the forest is managed. They don’t just talk to people; they also closely inspect how the work is done, visit the places where all the action happens, and go through heaps of records to make sure everything is up to scratch.
As a part of this process, there’s a report summarising what was found during the audit that’s available publicly. This means anyone interested can see where the forest is and how well it is being looked after, ensuring transparency and accountability. This process makes sure our forests remain vibrant and healthy places for the environment, the community and the people who sell products from the forest.
Certificates and Logos
When an organisation is certified they receive a certificate and are entitled to use a sustainability logo. Certification acts as a promise that the products we use from forests, such as paper, cardboard and timber, are sourced in a way that’s good for the planet. When a forest is certified, it means it’s managed according to strict rules that protect nature and support the people living nearby.
A certification logo is a seal of approval that helps customers and businesses choose wood and paper products without worrying about harming the world’s forests. It’s a way of ensuring that we can enjoy the resources forests provide us while keeping them productive for wildlife, plants, and future human generations. It helps us make better choices when we shop, choosing products that come from forests that are cared for and preserved for future generations.
Chain of Custody
Trust
Chain of custody ensures products are sourced from forests managed in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable manner. It means consumers can be confident that their purchases come through a trusted supply chain and do not come from controversial source, contributing to deforestation or the exploitation of workers of the environment.
Transparency
Transparency in chain of custody involves clear, accessible information about where and how wood products are sourced. It means that the sourcing practices are documented, and certified entities are listed in public databases. This openness allows consumers to verify that the products they buy are from responsibly managed forests.
Traceability
Traceability refers to the ability to track the journey of wood products from their origin in the forest through every step of the supply chain to the final consumer. It provides a clear trail back to the source, ensuring that the wood comes from a sustainable source, and enabling consumers to make informed decisions based on the environmental impact of their purchases.
Find Out More
How does certification prevent deforestation?
Certification helps stop permanently removing forests (deforestation) and by making sure people use forests in a way that’s good for the environment. When forests get “certified,” it means they are managed properly, and the soil, water, animals and plants there are looked after. This certificate shows that companies are following the rules that protect the forest. This way, when people buy things like paper, cardboard or wood, and they see the certification logo, they know it comes from a forest that is being taken care of for the next generation.
About Deforestation
Learn more about how our standard is designed to prevent deforestation and forest degradation.
Why should you choose certified products?
Choosing certified products is a wise and responsible choice that supports environmental sustainability, including the fair treatment of workers and economic development. Certification serves as a seal of approval indicating that the products meet specific standards of environmental care and social responsibility. By choosing these items, you’re contributing to the protection of ecosystems by ensuring that resources are harvested sustainably. It also means supporting the rights and well-being of workers.
Certified Products
Learn more about how you can make a difference by choosing certified products.
How does forest certification work?
Forest certification is a way of making sure forests are managed sustainably, balancing environmental care, social benefits, and economic viability. It involves a thorough check-up by independent experts who ensure that forestry practices meet strict standards. This process not only helps protect forests but also supports the rights and well-being of communities and workers involved. Choosing certified forest products means supporting these good practices, contributing to the conservation of our forests for future generations
How can you find certified forests?
Finding certified sustainable forests involves searching our public database of forests that meet strict sustainability standards, verified at least annually by independent experts. These forests follow responsible management practices ensuring environmental, social, and economic benefits. Tools like the Responsible Wood “Find Certified” search function or PEFC’s database can help you locate these forests, supporting responsible sourcing and managing significant biodiversity as well as important social and cultural values.
