Responsible procurement of wood and paper is at the heart of a policy statement signed by the Dutch municipalities Vlissingen, Terneuzen, Hulst, and Kapelle, on Zeeland's Sustainability Day last week.
The statement aims at promoting sustainable forest management by procuring forest-based products from those forests that are managed in compliance with requirements set out by certification systems such as PEFC.
"We appreciate this joint effort from the four municipalities to promote sustainability", commented Kees Boon, Chairman of PEFC Netherlands. "By accepting various forms of evidence, including certification, this initiative enables the signatories to promote sustainable forestry while maintaining the widest possible supply of responsible sourced products."
The policy statement requires suppliers to demonstrate that paper and wood-based products are responsibly sourced. This can be done for example through PEFC Chain of Custody certification. Chain of Custody certification outlines requirements for tracking certified material from the forest to the final product, thereby providing assurances that wood originates from PEFC-certified, sustainably managed forests.
"We are very proud that we have been a part of this vital way of ensuring the sustainability of the world's forests for future generations, and we look forward to providing support to the different municipalities over the coming years," concluded Mr. Boon.
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