Forest certification scheme PEFC described the inclusion of social criteria within its chain of custody (CoC) certification standard as historic, but said it would probably have a limited impact on certified European timber traders.
Social criteria were already included in PEFC forestry certification, but have been added to its CoC programme for the first time. Previously it was limited to tracking certified material through the production process.
The new criteria oblige PEFC-certified companies to demonstrate that production of their goods does not involve forced labour, use of under-15s (or compulsory school attendance age children), workers prevented from associating freely or bargaining collectively with their employer, or workers denied equal employment opportunities.
PEFC head of communications Thorsten Arndt told TTJ that he did not believe the addition of social criteria would be too much of an issue for CoC-certified UK or other European companies, although would require some extra efforts to comply.
“Companies along the supply chain will have to ensure social rights are protected,” he said.
“I think the impact will be quite limited for the UK but in other [producer] countries in developing nations it may be a different story,” he added.
He said exporters in producer countries where there is no legislation covering some of the social criteria may have difficulties.
But Mr Arndt emphasised that most certification stakeholders were in favour of adding social criteria, which he said had the benefit of demonstrating that additional “risks” are covered in CoC certification.
“These social requirements provide an additional layer of confidence to consumers and buyers – that elementary rights of workers in companies along the supply chain have been respected,” added PEFC International chairman William Street.
Earlier this year Defra announced it was widening its timber procurement policy to include social criteria. Its Central Point of Expertise on Timber Procurement is currently assessing certification schemes standards for compliance with criteria.
