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| PEFC Austria hosted the information event ?PEFC ? Timber With Responsibility? in the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, on Thursday, 20th November. About 100 guests from economy, industry and politics informed themselves about PEFC and its development into the leading certification system worldwide.
PEFC - Timber With Responsibility!
Successful event in the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber
Vienna, November, 21st , 2003, PEFC Austria
PEFC Austria hosted the information event "PEFC - Timber With Responsibility" in the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber yesterday, on Thursday, 20th. About 100 guests from economy, industry and politics informed themselves about PEFC and its development into the leading certification system worldwide. Beside interesting speeches this day provided the possibilty to discuss relevant topics.
In his opening speech, Christoph Leitl, president of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, underlined the importance of Austrian Wood worldwide and congratulated PEFC on its successful work.
Once more, the interest of industry and trade in promoting sustainable forest managment was emphasized. Certifying timber with PEFC has become an important marketing instrument, counting over 240 member companies, working in Paper-, Board-, Saw Mill Industry and Trade.
In her speech Doris Stiksl-Mitteramskogler pointed out the importance of PEFC for her company in stating "As a supplier of the ressource for the wood-processing industry, and to fulfill our company's philosophy, we of course supply environmentally friendly and sustainably managed material. Certifying our suppliers is an extra guarantee for us."
Concerning DIYs, Georg Nieders?? from IMO-MARKT referred to the fact, that customers would rather buy certified wood, produced and managed environmentally friendly. "Though many products (teak) are only available in adequate amounts without a certificate."
Rudolf Bretschneider from Fessel-GfK explained the public attitude and knowledge in timber and wood. According to his data, 41% of the people think highly of a quality label for wood products. Because of their specialist knowledge, experts in forestry are on the first hand estimated best in issuing this label.
"In my of view, forestry lives sustainablity. Concerning today's measures of value, convincing the public of that fact first of all is possible by excellent marketing. PEFC is the instrument,"
Gerhard Mannsberger from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Environment and Water Management explained in closing his speech."Wood has been a source of income historically and shall remain so, which only is possible through sustainable lived management."
Christian Brawenz, vice president of PEFC International stated explicitly that an acceptance between all credible certification systems would be preferable. This cooperation would benefit the customers in providing a larger range of certified timber and timber products.
Picture:
From the left to the right: Christian Brawenz, Ben Gunneberg, Christoph Leitl, Thomas Stemberger
Picture: PEFC Austria
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