Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification

Description

The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification is an international, non-profit, non-governmental organization that certifies sustainable forest management.

As an umbrella body, it endorses national forest certification systems that are developed through multi-stakeholder processes and tailored to local conditions, rather than setting one single global standard itself. It works to protect forests by promoting sustainable forest management through certification, so that forest products can keep being used while forests remain for future generations. Certification is carried out by independent third-party auditing bodies recognized by PEFC in each country. It also sets standards for chain-of-custody, and it partners with forest owners, businesses, supply chain companies and other stakeholders to expand certified forest management.

PEFC was created in 1999 by European forest owners and managers, led by the Confederation of European Forest Owners, initially under the name Pan-European Forest Certification Council. It made its first endorsements of national standards in 2000 and later expanded beyond Europe, endorsing standards in countries including Australia, Chile, Canada, Gabon and Malaysia. It is now the largest forest certification system in the world by certified area, with endorsed national systems in dozens of countries across Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia and Oceania.

PEFC is based in Geneva, Switzerland.