PEFC, which had been on probation by the government in terms of its sustainability credentials, has been given the all clear as providing assurance of legal and sustainable timber sourcing.
The others successful schemes in the Central Point of Expertise on Timber‘s review are the Canadian Standards Association, Forest Stewardship Council and Sustainable Forestry Initiative. The Malaysian Timber Certification Council scheme will continue to be accepted as assurance of legally logged timber, but was judged as not quite meeting CPET‘s criteria for sustainability.
“I am pleased that our rigorous review saw schemes responding positively to negative findings and making significant improvements to their requirements,” said biodiversity minister Barry Gardiner.
He said he was confident the schemes provide credible assurance of responsible timber procurement.
Timber Trade Federation president Neil Donaldson welcomed the green light for PEFC.
“The announcement is of utmost importance to traders in the UK, who import nearly £3bn of timber products each year,” he said. “The government’s recommendation on sustainable sourcing of timber-based products will enable our member companies to offer more responsibly and sustainably sourced products to their customers.”
FSC UK has “reserved judgement” on the government’s review and questioned how quickly other certification schemes could deliver on their sustainability commitments.
WWF, Greenpeace and FERN have criticised the decision to give CSA, PEFC and SFI a “sustainable” rating, saying the schemes allow destructive logging practices.
Schemes will be reviewed again in 2008.
