PEFC given all-clear CPET certification review

Four timber certification schemes have been accepted as evidence of legal and sustainable wood sourcing by the government following its review of certification schemes.

The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC), which had been on “probation” by the government since 2005 in terms of its sustainability credentials, has been given a clean bill of health by the Centre Point of Expertise on Timber (CPET) as providing assurance of legal and sustainable timber sourcing.

The other successful schemes are the Canadian Standards Association, Forest Stewardship Council and Sustainable Forestry Initiative. The Malaysian Timber Certification Council scheme will continue to be accepted as assurance of legally logged timber, but was judged as not quite meeting CPET’s criteria for sustainability.

“We are delighted that the government’s recommendation on PEFC has been so clear,” said Michael Clark, chairman of the PEFC Council.

“It gives UK companies a strong incentive to commit to responsible sourcing of wood products by undergoing PEFC chain of custody certification.”

More details will follow in the next edition of TTJ.