How is PEFC different to FSC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification)

• FSC was originally designed for tropical forest conditions,
• PEFC was designed for the forests of a cooler climate. FSC is mainly used by large forest owners, such as industrial and state owned forests.

• An umbrella organisation that covers national forest certification schemes, such as the Finnish Forest Certification System (FFCS)
• The PEFC council defines the minimum requirements for developing national standards, based on intergovernmental processes for the promotion of responsible forest management
• The largest forest certification system in the world
• Originally developed for European needs, to suit the special characteristics of small-scale private forest ownership. In time, the PEFC has been widened to cover the northern hemisphere and now endorses 35 different schemes.

PEFC like FSC is:

• based on third-party audits
• is independent, non-profit making, non-governmental organisations
• promotes environmental, social and economically responsible forest management
• develops and establishes criteria through an open and transparent process
• is equally accepted in national public procurement policies.

PEFC systems have good sound environmental programmes. All sources of are traceable through a chain of custody. PEFC is about producing paper using a responsible forestry programme which is engineered to help protect the world’s forests indigenous rights and biodiversity. It’s about doing the right thing by the environment.