Forest Certification Growing, Says U.N. Report

The

Forest Products Annual Market Review for 2005-2006, released by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, describes an increase in the area of certified forest throughout the world and growth in chain-of-custody certifications. Certified forest area increased 12% from 2005 to 2006, with much of the certified forest concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere. Chain-of-custody certifications increased approximately 20% to reach 7,200 certifications worldwide. Only two bodies offer this type of certification: the Forest Stewardship Council and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forestry Certification Schemes (PEFC). PEFC is an international organization that recognizes several certification programs, including the Sustainable Forest Initiative, which is allowed to use PEFC chain-of-custody certifications for its participants. According to the report, governmental procurement policies, rather than end-user demand, are largely responsible for the growth in certified forest products.