The Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) schemes Council has approved two changes to its regulations to comply with the UK government’s Central Point of Expertise on Timber (CPET).
PEFC council member countries voted in favour of making a summary of certification audit reports publicly available and having a public consultation for each individual forest certification at an extraordinary general assembly meeting.
The submission comes one month before the government’s deadline for certification systems to make changes as identified by CPET, whose initial assessment rated PEFC as evidence of legality but not sustainability in timber sourcing.
PEFC Council secretary-general Ben Gunneberg said: “We have thoroughly discussed all of the British government’s requests in this matter and with the experts involved. We now look forward to an early re-assessment and a positive result, so that a continued acceptance of PEFC-certified products is assured after the transition period.”
