What Does PEFC Stand For?

It's a good question. You've probably seen those four letters stamped on all sorts of paper products (including ours) but never really thought about what they mean. In this blog, we'll examine what they stand for and how they can help your business showcase its stance on sustainability, circularity and the environment.

The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification - PEFC - is an international non-profit, non-governmental organisation that is dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management through independent third-party certification.

Although it's now the world's biggest forest certification system, it has relatively humble origins. It began in 1999, when the European owners of small woodlands joined forces to create a certification system that would enable them to demonstrate their excellence in sustainable forest management.

Now based in Geneva, PEFC has more than 80 members globally, including national certification systems, NGOs, labour unions, businesses, trade associations, forest owner organisations and committed individuals.

Its 55 national members are independent, national organisations that develop and implement the PEFC system within their own countries, while its 31 international stakeholder members include companies, organisations and associations whose principles and objectives align with and actively support those of PEFC.

So, what does it mean to be PEFC-certified? For forest managers, it means timber can be sold knowing it meets the increasing global demand for proof of sustainability. More than half of all imported wood in the UK is PEFC-certified.

For paper merchants, it means they can sell a product they know is sustainable and comes from a trusted source, offering peace of mind to them and their customers, who are increasingly demanding eco-friendly products, services and solutions.

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and we are proud to say we are committed to the PEFC Chain of Custody standard. It ensures that wood fibre used for paper production has been sourced from well-managed forestry, and is certified to standards that uphold specific social, environmental and economic criteria.

Using the chain of custody process, PEFC means paper products can be traced back through each stage of distribution, storage and manufacture to their certified forestry source. The PEFC logo is used on publications to endorse the papers' sustainability credentials to the outside world.

But it's a lot more than just a label to put on packaging. PEFC demands there is access to information relating to both the tree species and the country of origin of certified wood fibre, preventing the use of illegally logged timber and timber content in products such as paper.

That additional supply chain transparency means our customers can be sure their businesses or projects are not having a negative impact on the planet.

As well as helping your business with the process of becoming PEFC certified, our team can also provide sustainability reporting that includes:

PEFC statements to assist with your audits if you're already certified

Tree species and country of origin statements

Due diligence statements to support EU Timber Regulations and Modern Slavery Act compliance

To find out more about the process of becoming PEFC certified or if you want to change your paper supply to greener, more cost-effective alternatives, contact our team today at info@denmaur.com or phone 01727 738750.