Annual review of certification schemes

Five schemes designed to combat illegal logging and protect forests worldwide have been given the Government seal of approval after a review to check their continuing effectiveness.

The first review of schemes, assessed by the Central Point of Expertise on Timber (CPET) as assuring government departments in the UK that they are buying timber from responsible sources, found that standards and procedures continue to merit their current CPET approval status.

Responses to comments submitted as part of the 2006 Review are now available in the Review & comments section of the CPET website.

2006 Review of forest certification schemes

Appendix 1a - CSA

Appendix 1b - FSC

Appendix 1c - MTCC

Appendix 1d - PEFC

Appendix 1e - SFI

The review of these five schemes has been undertaken on the basis of the scheme requirements, as set out in the publicly available documentation for each scheme. The implementation of these documented scheme requirements may also be checked. No assessments of the actual outcome of certification in the forest has been be made. Schemes have been reviewed against the May 2006 version of Criteria for Evaluating Certification Schemes and its Annexes.