PEFC is an international non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting responsible forest management through independent third-party certification.
The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) was founded in 1999 in response to the specific requirements of small- and family forest owners as an international umbrella organisation providing independent assessment, endorsement and recognition of national forest certification systems. Today, PEFC is the world’s largest forest certification system by number of certificates issued.
PEFC is an internationally preferred eco-label for responsible forest management. Forest certification ensures that forests are managed according to environmental, social and economic criteria.
PEFC Chain of Custody certification for companies in the supply chain is a verified mechanism for tracking certified materials from the forest to the final product.
PEFC works throughout the entire forest supply chain to promote good practice in the forest and to ensure that timer and non-timer forest products are complied with the ecological, social and ethical standards set by PEFC.
PEFC certification permits you to trade the PEFC certified claim in the marketplace. Many public and private procurement policies require or prefer certified material, including PEFC certified.
> Learn more at the PEFC website
Watch this video so see the ‘Why and What of PEFC for Companies”
Roles and responsibilities of key actors
PEFC is an international organisation that owns the PEFC system and develops the certification standards and requirements that PEFC-certified companies need to follow.
PEFC National Governing Bodies (NGB), which nationally present PEFC, may set additional accreditation rules. We are accredited for PEFC Chain of Custody certification (registration no. PEFC/01-44-49) and Forest Management in Denmark and Russia.
PEFC stakeholders: Stakeholders from all parts of society who are involved in developing PEFC standards, including forest owners, NGOs, businesses, and governments.
PEFC Certification Bodies (CB) are accredited by national accreditation bodies and need to follow applicable accreditation rules published by ISO and PEFC International.
PEFC Certificate Holders are PEFC certified forest operations and companies that bring certified products to the marketplace. Certificate Holders must follow the applicable PEFC certification requirements and need to undergo annual PEFC audits conducted by a Certification Body.