What is FSC and PEFC Certified Timber?
FSC, or the Forest Stewardship Council, is an international non-profit organisation established in 1994 to promote responsible forestry. It is the only forest certification program supported by major environmental organisations such as WWF, the Woodland Trust, and Greenpeace.
PEFC, The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, is a global alliance of national forest certification systems. As an international non-profit, non-governmental organisation, PEFC is committed to promoting sustainable forest management through independent third-party certification.
What is the difference between FSC and PEFC certifications?
The FSC uses a centralised approach with one global standard, which all certified forests must meet. This rigorous standard covers environmental, social, and economic criteria.
PEFC uses a decentralised approach, endorsing national forest certification systems that meet its international requirements. This allows for greater flexibility in adapting to local conditions and regulations.
What does FSC Certified Timber or PEFC Certified Timber mean?
FSC and PEFC certified forests ensure that products meet the highest environmental standards when sourcing timber. This means:
- Harvested trees are replaced or allowed to regenerate naturally, with old-growth forests remaining untouched.
- Portions of the forest are left undisturbed to protect wildlife and plant species.
- The rights of indigenous peoples are respected, with sacred sites excluded from logging activities.
- Forest owners are required to employ local workers and provide them with fair wages, training, and safety equipment.
- Local rivers, lakes, and wetlands are safeguarded.
- The forest owner must support the local community.
- Forest management practices must protect water quality, prevent the loss of natural forests, and limit the use of highly hazardous chemicals.
- Converting natural forests into plantations, real estate developments, or agricultural land is strictly prohibited.
- Forest businesses must be economically viable, ensuring profitability without compromising the forest, ecosystem, or local communities.
In essence, an FSC or PEFC certified forest is managed in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically sustainable way.
When their respective logos are displayed on a product, it guarantees that it was made from forest-based materials sourced from FSC or PEFC certified forests.
What is a Timber Chain of Custody?
A Chain of Custody (CoC) refers to the documented and unbroken path that products take from their source—such as a forest—through all production, processing, and distribution stages until they reach the end consumer. The primary purpose of a CoC is to ensure that materials and products originate from certified, responsibly managed sources and that their integrity is maintained throughout the supply chain.
FSC’s Chain of Custody (CoC) certification tracks FSC-certified material through every stage of the production process, from the forest to the final product. This ensures that products carrying the FSC label are truly sourced from responsibly managed forests.
PEFC also offers Chain of Custody certification, which similarly tracks certified materials from the forest through the supply chain. PEFC allows some flexibility in mixing certified and non-certified materials, provided the non-certified materials meet certain controlled criteria.
FSC and PEFC Certified Products at Belgravia
The choice between FSC and PEFC certification often depends on the forest or business’s specific needs, scale, and geographic location.
FSC is known for its strict, globally consistent standards and strong emphasis on environmental and social criteria. It may be more rigorous and transparent, particularly with its public consultation requirement.
PEFC is recognised for its flexibility, making it more accessible to smaller forest owners and better suited to local conditions by endorsing national standards. It may be more cost-effective and adaptable.
At Belgravia, our products hold both FSC and PEFC certifications.
Want to learn more? Speak to one of our experts today about your timber certification needs.