PEFC endorses Canada's national forest certification system

Kleanthis Economou

SAN FRANCISCO , October 25, 2005 (Edited by Forestweb) – The Canadian Standards Assn. (CSA) forest certification system has been endorsed by the PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes).

The CSA scheme is the 18th national system to attain the international verification for credible forest certification schemes, according to a PEFC release on Mar. 29.

Based in Luxembourg, PEFC is a framework for the mutual recognition of forest certification schemes that have been developed based on internationally recognized requirements for sustainable forest management. With the addition of the CSA system, PEFC-endorsed programs around the globe now account for more than 100 million hectares of forests.

Peter Johnson, Manager of CSA International’s Forest Products Group, said the PEFC endorsement would provide access to international markets for eco-friendly produced forest and paper products. "And, the PEFC logo is a clear sign that forest management practices certified by CSA International are in compliance with the principles of sustainability," he added.

The PEFC endorsement of the Canadian system followed a year-long process in which an independent consultant assessed the system and found it to be in compliance with the stringent international PEFC Council requirements. Part of the independent assessment was a public consultation period in which the general public was invited to review and comment on the Canadian system. The consultant's detailed assessment report is publicly available at the PEFC Council website at www.pefc.org.

Editor's Note--An original press release from the PEFC is below

PEFC tops 100 million hectares worldwide

LUXEMBOURG, Mar. 29--Canada's National Sustainable Forest Management Program has gained endorsement by the PEFC Council. The Program, developed by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), is the 18th national system to attain this international verification for credible forest certification schemes. PEFC endorsed programs around the globe, including Canada, now account for more than 100 million hectares of forests, making PEFC the first forest certification system ever to reach this significant milestone.

"We are delighted that PEFC certified Canadian forest and paper products can now be labeled with the PEFC logo", said Peter Johnson, Manager of CSA International’s Forest Products Group. "The PEFC endorsement provides access to international markets for ecofriendly produced forest and paper products. And, the PEFC logo is a clear sign that forest management practices certified by CSA International are in compliance with the principles of sustainability."

"There are now PEFC certified forests in North and South America, Australia and Europe", said PEFC Council Secretary General Ben Gunneberg. "That is the equivalent to about half of all certified forests around the globe. The remaining half is certified by over a dozen other forest certification systems, of which a significant number are members of the PEFC Council currently working towards attaining PEFC endorsement."

The PEFC endorsement of the Canadian system followed a year-long process in which an independent consultant assessed the system and found it to be in compliance with the stringent international PEFC Council requirements. Part of the independent assessment was a public consultation period in which the general public was invited to review and comment on the Canadian system. The comments received and the findings of the consultant were documented in the consultant’s detailed assessment report, which, in line with PEFC’s rules of transparency and openness, is publicly available at the PEFC Council website at www.pefc.org.

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