The Austrian, Canadian, UK and Uruguayan national forest certification systems have successfully achieved PEFC re-endorsement. Combined, these four systems account for over 40 million hectares of sustainably managed forest. For both Austria and the UK, this is the fourth time these systems have achieved PEFC endorsement; it is the third time for Canada and the second for Uruguay.
To achieve endorsement, a national system goes through a rigorous assessment to confirm it was developed in line with our requirements. Through this process, PEFC can ensure that the country’s national standards meet our globally accepted PEFC Sustainability Benchmarks.
An independent PEFC Registered Assessor conducts the assessment, which evaluates the compliance of the national system. The assessor bases the assessment on comments received from a 60-day global public consultation, field trips and other available information.
After a national system has successfully passed the assessment, the PEFC General Assembly votes on its endorsement.
PEFC is the world's largest forest certification system.
