Sep 18, 2009. /Lesprom Network/. On 16 September, the first orders of FSC-certified timber were delivered from Södra Timber, the company said in a press release received by Lesprom Network. “The first contracts were purchased by our two biggest customers in the Netherlands, PontMeyer and Stiho," said Andreas Jonasson, marketing manager at Södra Timber. Södra has for many years certified its forestry in accordance with PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes). Södra Timber customers are, however, increasingly requesting products with FSC-certification (Forest Stewardship Council). As awareness grows amongst end consumers that forestry certification systems exist, interest in buying certified products is also increasing. “FSC is a strong brand. In some countries FSC has also become a strong criteria in public procurement processes, which means our customers see it as a requirement for the timber they deliver,” Jonasson commented. Interest in FSC-certified products is greatest in the Netherlands and Great Britain. Södra was accepted this spring as a member of the Swedish Forest Stewardship Council and can now offer those of its members who deliver to its mills the opportunity for dual certification under both FSC and PEFC. Currently, 1.5 million hectares of Södra member estates are PEFC certified. The objective is for two-thirds of the current PEFC area to be dual certified in 2010.