Latvia has increased the range of certified timber products it can offer the UK following the completion of PEFC forest management certification.
Independent auditors inspected eight forest management divisions in the country and concluded balanced forest management was in operation in line with environmental, social and economic requirements.
Certification was carried out by BM TRADA and SGS and the certificate is valid until 2016.
Latvian state forester LVM also has two forest regions FSC-certified, with audits for the remaining regions planned for later this year.
LVM’s goal is dual certification of Latvian state forests. PEFC and FSC chain of custody certification has already been secured.
LVM’s FSC certificate was suspended last summer after major corrective actions were issued by FSC. Since then LVM has resubmitted state forests for certification.
“The certification of all eight forest management divisions will increase the supplies of the timber bearing the green quality label to our customers and help them maintain and strengthen the positions of the Latvian timber products in the global market,” said a spokesperson for LVM.
