Who is it for?

The PEFC standard is intended for organisations involved in forest management and all businesses operating in the timber and paper industries. Certification of compliance with PEFC requirements may apply both to the forests themselves (sought by forest owners or managers) and to individual links in the timber supply chain – from harvesting to the final product. The PEFC system can be implemented by:

• sawmill owners,
• manufacturers of joinery and carpentry products,
• manufacturers of prefabricated timber products (e.g. chipboard),
• manufacturers of prefabricated timber houses,
• manufacturers of furniture and joinery products,
• manufacturers of wooden or paper packaging,
• manufacturers of wooden instruments,
• paper mills, publishers, printing houses,
• businesses dealing with timber or timber products (wholesalers, distributors, transport companies, warehouses, etc.).

As the PEFC label is intended to guarantee that the highest standards have been met at every stage of the supply chain, only organisations whose operations are based on certified products and services may apply for PEFC certification.

Information about the standard

PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) is the name of an international, non-governmental organisation established in 1999 in Geneva to promote and support sustainable forest management. PEFC-accredited standards serve as the tools for this purpose. Confirmation of their implementation in a given company is carried out through an independently conducted certification process. Alongside FSC, PEFC is the largest international certification scheme in the timber industry.

In the case of forests, the implementation of the PEFC standard means that they are managed in accordance with legally recognised environmental, social and economic requirements. PEFC certification in the supply chain serves to confirm that:

• wood products originate from certified forests (meeting PEFC standards),
• the origin of the wood raw material is known at all stages of processing,
• and the quality and safety standards specified by PEFC are met at all stages of processing, as well as during the transport and distribution of products.

Benefits of implementation

Implementing PEFC standards brings a number of practical benefits, such as increased business efficiency (resulting from operating on the basis of proven, effective procedures) or a reduction in the risks associated with using raw materials from unreliable sources. A company operating in accordance with these principles may apply for PEFC certification and the right to label its products with the organisation’s distinctive logo. In doing so, it gains the image of a company that respects the principles of sustainable forest management.

Entities operating in the timber and paper industry increasingly expect their business partners to confirm that their company has implemented the PEFC guidelines. The PEFC logo on products also attracts the attention of environmentally conscious consumers. Therefore, certification to this standard can result in:

• greater customer confidence,
• access to new markets (including overseas ones),
• building a competitive advantage over other companies,
• an increase in the company’s revenue.