|
| The Belgian Forest Certification scheme, was officially endorsed today as meeting the strict requirements of the PEFC Council, the international umbrella for independent national forest certification schemes, which are based on the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe.
The Belgian scheme underwent a 10 month assessment process comprising rigorous public consultation procedures and a thorough assessment by independent consultants before being voted upon by member schemes of the PEFC Council. The scheme now joins nine others that already account for over 41 million hectares of certified forests, making PEFC the world?s biggest forest certification scheme umbrella
Mr Bertrand Auquiere, spokesman for the Belgium Forest Certification Scheme said "Through independent certification, foresters will now be able to provide assurances to the Belgian public and people further afield, that the forest environment will be maintained and enhanced for current and future generations to enjoy and benefit from."
Mr Gunneberg, Secretary General of PEFC Council added "Timber products from independently certified forests managed to the Belgian Forest Certification Scheme will in future be identifiable through the PEFC label (see above), which is only available via a chain of traceability, and consumers and specifiers buying products with this label will be supporting and promoting sustainable forest management.
For more information contact:
Mr. Ben Gunneberg, PEFC Council Secretary General; Tel +352 26 25 90 59
WOODNET asbl
Mr Bertrand Auqui?re, National Secretary, Belgium; Tel +32 2 223 4421
|
