Forest certification is the process of inspecting particular forests or woodlands to see if they are being managed according to an agreed set of standards. Twenty-four NGOs from 12 countries discussed the PEFC at a meeting in Antwerp last week. They complained that the PEFC has failed to show that it would ensure meaningful improvement in forest management. The attack comes as the PEFC is finalising accreditation of its first three national schemes in Finland, Norway and Sweden. Consultants hired by the PEFC are assessing programmes put forward by the three countries.
Public comments are welcome.
PEFC believes that everyone's views should be heard. European policy office said. The FSC has one-third of its representation from NGOs. Environmental NGOs are concerned that logging continues in Europe's last old growth forests in Norway and Sweden, and that indigenous people's rights have been ignored. The planned speed of PEFC's certification plans throws doubts on what it is doing, von Zitzewitz said.