The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (PEFC) has identified more than 60 “areas of concern” in its review of a World Bank/WWF plan to assess forestry certification schemes.
The PEFC Council said field-testing of the World Bank/WWF alliance’s questionnaire for assessing the comprehensiveness of certification schemes (QACC) is premature because of shortcomings in the document. Instead, it has offered the alliance joint consultations in an open dialogue process.
Areas of concern in the QACC highlighted by the PEFC Council include a lack of external multi-stakeholders in drawing up the document; an alleged bias towards one international certification scheme; and that it is complex and highly repetitive.
The questionnaire is designed to aid the Bank in evaluating whether it can back forestry programmes as part of its initiative with the WWF to help bring 200 million ha of production forests under independent certified management.
The PEFC Council believes the document needs futher development before it can be used in an objective manner and recommends consultation with all stakeholders.
