Introduction

The UK Government Timber Procurement Policy requires central departments to purchase legal and sustainable or FLEGT licensed timber and wood derived products.  Forest certification schemes are referred to as 'Category A' evidence under the timber procurement policy.

Forest certification schemes in practice

Forest certification schemes provide a way of defining sustainable forest management as well as third party, independent verification that a timber source meets the definition of sustainability. Certification schemes include a mechanism for tracing products from the certified source forest to the end use. Acceptable forest certification schemes thus provide evidence of legal and/or sustainable timber.

Various forest certification schemes operate around the world. Some schemes are international, others limited to one country or region. The two international certification schemes have been approved as satisfying the UK Government’s requirements for sustainable and legal timber:

• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
• Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)

See Approved schemes for further infomation.

The Elements of a Certification Scheme

Although they may vary in details, each certification scheme is made up of four main components. The standard sets out the requirements that must be met in forest management – how the forest should be managed.  Certification is the process through which a third party (the certifier) checks a forest’s compliance with the standard. Accreditation is the process for approving the certifier’s procedures and ensuring that they produce credible results. Finally, the certification scheme defines how the chain of custody – the supply chain from forest to final consumer – is managed, ensuring that products sold as ‘certified’ really are certified.

The Certification Process

During the certification process, the certifier checks that a specified, geographically defined area of forest is being managed according to the requirements set out in the standard. The owner or manager of the forest must be committed to achieving certification. Sometimes the certification process involves an initial visit by the certifier to help identify issues and provide guidance on meeting the requirements. The main certification assessment is usually done by a team, who check technical, social and environmental performance in relation to the standard. Following the assessment, the certifier provides the forest owner or manager with a report detailing areas of compliance and non-compliance with the standard. Non-compliances may have to be addressed before the forest can be certified. Once the certifier is satisfied forest management meets the standard, a forest management certificate is issued for the specified area.  The certifier makes regular monitoring visits following certification, often annually.

To sell the forest’s products, the management of the supply chain must also be evaluated at all stages from forest gate to final consumer.

Useful resources

Each certification scheme’s website provides details of their standards, approved certification bodies and procedures, and a list of holders of forest and chain of custody certificates.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): www.fsc.org

Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) www.pefc.org