A top government officer has warned that some forest certification schemes currently under scrutiny by the Central Point of Expertise on Timber Procurement (CPET) could fall short of government standards.
Bob Andrew, procurement adviser at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), said CPET’s assessment of five prominent schemes, to be published in October, may result in changes to government procurement policies. He said until now the schemes had been taken at face value.
He said: “It may change things. It could be that some schemes do not quite meet the criteria.”
CPET consultants ProForest and Environmental Resources Management are currently assessing the Forest Stewardship Council, the Programmme for Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes, the Canadian Standards Association, Sustainable Forestry Initiative and Malaysian Timber Certification Council, to examine whether they meet contract requirements for legal and/or sustainable timber.
But Mr Andrew added: “This will not be a comparison of schemes but will provide an assessment on particular requirements in terms of government contracts.”
He emphasised that it would not be a “judgement” of schemes.
Mr Andrew said CPET may also look at other certification schemes in the future, and provide advice on an ad hoc basis when buyers and suppliers of timber experience difficulties.
CPET’s results will be published on the Sustainable Development in Government website in October, when a six month pilot helpline for selected government departments is also due to start.
Meanwhile, the CPET Reference Board met again on September 1 to provide comments on CPET’s methodology for assessment. The board comprises DEFRA, the Timber Trade Federation and WWF.
