NZ forest growers join trade-boosting global forest certification system
PEFC is the world's leading forest certification system that promotes sustainable forest management through independent certification.
The NZ Forest Certification Association (NZFCA) has been accepted as New Zealand’s member of the Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), the world’s leading forest certification system that promotes sustainable forest management through independent certification.
“We are delighted to be accepted into membership of PEFC and to represent PEFC in New Zealand” Dr Andrew McEwen, chairman of NZFCA, said in a statement.
Globally, PEFC has more than 260 million hectares of certified forests. It works throughout the forest supply chain to promote good practice and ensure products are produced to the highest ecological, social and ethical standards.
In addition, customers and consumers about the planet are able to identify products from sustainably managed forests through its labelling system.
Many of the countries that buy New Zealand forest products, as well as those which compete with New Zealand exports, are already PEFC members. These include China, Japan, Indonesia, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Russia, and the US, while other major markets such as India are also looking to join.
“It makes sense for New Zealand forest growers to be in a position to supply PEFC-certified forest products to all these markets” Dr McEwen said.
According to the NZFCA, an increasing number of companies in New Zealand are taking on PEFC certification, enabling them to manufacture and trade PEFC-certified products and use its label, which, NZFCA says has been found to be the most trusted forest certification label globally.
Until now, this only has only been possible with imported forest products to New Zealand.
“We are pleased for New Zealand to join PEFC, and its commitment to support sustainable forest management” Ben Gunneberg, PEFC secretary general, said in a statement.
“We appreciate the tremendous efforts of stakeholders in New Zealand in establishing NZFCA and we are looking forward to a long and fruitful collaboration advancing responsible forestry and trade in forest products.”
Jamie Ball
Tue, 27 Jan 2015
Tue, 27 Jan 2015
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NZ forest growers join trade-boosting global forest certification system
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