An independent study which examined the performance of forest certification in Finland, Sweden and Norway has concluded that the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC) improves the standard of forest management.
The study, carried out by Savcor Indufor Oy, analysed how successful certification systems, including Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), are in implementing sustainable forest management and why private family forest owners are willing to participate in certification.
The report, entitled Effectiveness and Efficiency of FSC and PEFC forest certification on pilot areas in Nordic countries, found that the impact of forest certification on improving forest management depends largely on the area certified.
It also revealed that certified wood in Sweden and Norway attracts a higher sales price.
