Independent certification Sustainable forest management

growing environmental awareness , consumer demand more socially responsible businesses helped third-party forest certification emerge in 1990s credible tool communicating environmental , social performance of forest operations.

there many potential users of certification, including: forest managers, scientists, policy makers, investors, environmental advocates, business consumers of wood , paper, , individuals.

with third-party forest certification, independent organization develops standards of forest management, , independent auditors issue certificates forest operations comply standards. forest certification verifies forests well-managed – defined particular standard – , chain-of-custody certification tracks wood , paper products certified forest through processing point of sale.

this rise of certification led emergence of several different systems throughout world. result, there no single accepted forest management standard worldwide, , each system takes different approach in defining standards sustainable forest management.

in 2009–2010 forest products annual market review united nations economic commission europe/food , agriculture organization stated: on years, many of issues divided (certification) systems have become less distinct. largest certification systems have same structural programmatic requirements.

third-party forest certification important tool seeking ensure paper , wood products purchase , use come forests well-managed , legally harvested. incorporating third-party certification forest product procurement practices can centerpiece comprehensive wood , paper policies include factors such protection of sensitive forest values, thoughtful material selection , efficient use of products.

there more fifty certification standards worldwide, addressing diversity of forest types , tenures. globally, 2 largest umbrella certification programs are:

programme endorsement of forest certification (pefc)
forest stewardship council (fsc)

the area of forest certified worldwide growing slowly. pefc world s largest forest certification system, more two-thirds of total global certified area certified sustainability benchmarks.

in north america, there 3 certification standards endorsed pefc – sustainable forestry initiative, canadian standards association s sustainable forest management standard, , american tree farm system. fsc has 5 standards in north america – 1 in united states , 4 in canada.

while certification intended tool enhance forest management practices throughout world, date certified forestry operations located in europe , north america. significant barrier many forest managers in developing countries lack capacity undergo certification audit , maintain operations certification standard.