All the main timber certification schemes have been given a clean bill of health in a biennial UK governement review.
The government’s Central Point of Expertise on Timber Procurment (CPET) said both the main FSC and PEFC forest certification schemes, which account for the majority of UK certified timber, continue to deliver evidence of sustainability in compliance with the UK government’s timber procurement policy.
CPET said both schemes had made improvements since the last assessment two years ago, including passing of new social criteria and ensuring the conversion of forests and national implementation criteria were met.
Malaysian timber certified by the country’s national forest certification scheme has also been given a vote of confidence.
CPET provided a clarification in its review to remind buyers and suppliers that the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme, as a PEFC-endorsed scheme was accepted as ensuring legality and sustainability in compliance with the UK government’s timber procurement policy.
Malaysia is a significant exporter of hardwood and plywood products to the UK.
“However, only PEFC-certified timber should be accepted,” CPET added. “CPET should be consulted for non-PEFC certified MTCS timber as it may still only ensure legality.”
FSC said its highest score in the review process reconfirmed it as the “gold standard” in forest certification.
PEFC UK chairman Peter Latham said CPET provided UK companies with a strong incentive to commit to responsible sourcing of wood-based products by undergoing chain of custody certification.
An independent technical panel carried out the review focusing on documentation but not including investigation of outcomes on the ground.
