The successful PEFC certification of Estonia’s state forests should send a message to private forest owners in the country that certifying to the PEFC scheme is a wise move, according to the head of Estonia’s Forest Certfication Council.
Mart Kelk, the council’s secretary-general, said PEFC certification would allow small and family forest owners to demonstrate their responsible forest management practices and respond to increasing demand for PEFC-certified timber.
“PEFC certification creates significant opportunities for Estonia’s forest and timber industry, whose customers increasingly require cerification of timber and timber products,” added Tiit Timberg, management board member of Estonia’s State Forest Management Centre (RMK).
“While RMK has been certified to FSC since 2002, it has been important to finally be able to obtain PEFC certification. With some markets showing a preference for FSC, other markets prefer PEFC, so it is important to finally be able to obtain PEFC certification.”
