Participation, openness, inclusiveness, and transparency are fundamental principles that PEFC applies to the development of national-level certification standards.
Along with other compliance bodies like ISO and IAF, PEFC firmly believes that the independence and complete separation of standards development, certification, and accreditation processes is key to the long-term credibility of any certification system.
PEFC is the only global forest certification system that has implemented internationally-recognized mechanisms to ensure unambiguous separation of these three essential activities.
Standards Development Process
National forest certification systems are developed in response to local demand, interest and commitment.
Before standards can be developed, PEFC requires that the process be initiated by or have the support of national forest owner organizations.
For long term sustainability, it is vital that those ultimately responsible for implementing societies requirements for forest management are committed to the standards and the processes in which they are developed. Engagement post facto is a much more difficult process.
The standards development process consists of the following steps:
- The creation of a Forum for Standard Setting, which includes representatives from all interested stakeholder groups. The Forum is responsible for defining its own documented standard-setting procedures tailored to the national context. A complaints and appeals mechanism must be designed at this stage to enable the impartial resolution of any issues that may arise. The Forum works on the principle of consensus.
- Once created, the Forum will announce the start of the standards development process. It will issue regular updates on progress to enable engagement by interested stakeholders at any or all stages of the process and to keep all interested parties fully informed of proceedings.
- Once the Forum has agreed a draft standard, it will initiate a 60-day national-level public consultation to seek further inputs and comments. Following the consultation period, the Forum will publicly communicate information on changes and amendments resulting from this process.
- Pilot testing of national standards is another required element, with lessons learned being incorporated into the standards.
- Following this phase of development, the standards are finalized for implementation.
- The standards must be formally approved based on the evidence of consensus within this Forum.
The requirements for stakeholder involvement in the standard development process and for consensus by stakeholders in the approval of all standards make PEFC unique in the world of forest certification.
Regular Revisions
Standards development doesn't stop once stop once a national standard has been finalized. PEFC requires and implements 5-year revisions of national standards. Consequently, PEFC recognition of national standards is time-limited, with national system being required to apply for re-endorsement.
This allows for continuous improvement of standards through the integration of new scientific research, experience and best practices. Equally important, however, it encourages permanent ongoing dialogue among stakeholders, thereby enhancing understanding, support and development of the concept of sustainable forest management at national level.
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