Public consultation: Korean forest certification system

28 March 2023 PEFC system news

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the revised Korea Forest Certification Scheme. Deadline for comments is 25 May.

The Korean Forest Certification Council (KFCC) revised the country’s national forest certification system following the entry into force of the revised 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard.

See all system assessment details

The Korean system was submitted to PEFC after being revised in line with PEFC requirements. The national system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this assessment to maintain its PEFC endorsement. 

An important aspect of the assessment process is the public consultation. Over the sixty-day consultation, stakeholders from around the world can give their comments and provide feedback on any aspect of the system. The Registered Assessor will use the information received from this consultation in their assessment of the system.

Need more information?

To provide you with additional information about this revised national system, we held a webinar on 27 March at 08:00 CET. Watch the webinar recording:

PEFC in the Republic of Korea

KFCC joined the PEFC alliance in 2016 and achieved endorsement of its national forest certification system in 2018. This is the first time the country has revised their national system following endorsement. There are currently around 700,000 hectares of PEFC-certified forest area in the country. 

Maintaining endorsements

For a national system to maintain its endorsement, it must meet a series of endorsement milestones. These milestones are linked to the national periodic review of the system and the sustainable forest management standard.

National systems go through a periodic review five years after their national approval (first endorsement milestone). The periodic review includes a gap analysis, public consultation and consideration of feedback received while the standard is in force.

National approval of the Korean forest certification standard: 21 December 2021

Find out more about PEFC ensures national standards continue to meet expectations.