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Certification

"Uncertified" timber is not the same as “unsustainable” timber. The fact that some timber products are uncertified can be a reflection of the technical limitations of existing certification schemes rather than the quality of forest management. Lack of infra-structure, land tenure and political problems have meant slow progress in the tropics. Fragmentation of forest ownership and industry has been a major constraint limiting certification of temperate hardwood forests, notably in the United States.  Timber certification systems have been developed to provide independent assurances that forestry operations are sustainable. A certified forest satisfies standards for environmentally, socially and economically responsible management. Wood products are then labelled so that they can be identified as derived from certified sources. This requires that wood trading companies are independently assessed against “chain of custody” standards to demonstrate that the wood product – or a specified proportion of that product - derives from certified forests.

Two major international frameworks have evolved to oversee and promote development of forest certification. These are the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), based in Germany, and the Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) headquartered in Geneva.

Certified Forest Progress

Total global area of independently certified forest amounted to 325 million hectares at the end of 2008. Around 57% of all certified forest area is in North America while a further 25% is in Europe. Nearly 60% of the total area of forest that is available for wood supply is certified in both continents. Elsewhere this proportion is negligible, rising to 6% in Oceania (mainly due to certification in Australia and New Zealand) but no higher than 2% in other regions.  Overall only a small minority (11%) of global commercial forest land is certified.

Certified softwoods and panel products are now readily available as standard from many suppliers and do not usually attract a price premium. Certified hardwoods may be difficult to obtain and prices may be higher.    

UK Market Report

The TTF commissioned a report with support from the UK Government's Department for International Development (DFID) on the volumes of certified and legally verified timber products available in the UK market. The report was published in December 2009 based on data for 2008 and showed that the proportion of certified timber products in the UK had risen to 80%. As a result of the report, the Secretary of State for the Environment, food and Rural Affairs, Rt Hon Hilary Benn, MP, and Gareth Thomas, International Development Minister have praised the UK's timber industry for its commitment to using certified and sustainable timber. To read the Press Release detailing the Ministers' comments click here. To access a copy of the UK Market Report click here.  

EU Market Report

The TTF also commissioned a report with support from DFID on the current EU market conditions for “verified legal” and “verified legal and sustainable” wood products. This report provides an overview of the European market for these products in late 2008 and the early part of 2009. It forms part of a regular series to track market conditions, the first four reports covering only the UK. This report extends coverage to 7 countries of the European Union including: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, and the UK. To access the different sections of the report click below:

Introduction & Summary

EU Market Overview

Supply Situation

Demand Drivers

Case Studies

UK Market

Other EU Markets

Annex