Malaysian and Gabonese certification schemes open for public consultation

13 August 2013 PEFC system news

The Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS) and the PAFC Gabon Forest Certification Scheme are now open for global public consultation, with both national forest certification systems seeking PEFC endorsement for the second time. Stakeholders globally are invited to provide feedback on their compliance with PEFC International's Sustainability Benchmarks by 12 October 2013.

PEFC International limits the validity of endorsements to five years, meaning that national schemes must be revised in multi-stakeholder processes and apply for re-endorsement to continue benefitting from PEFC recognition. As part of the endorsement process, PEFC seeks comments and feedback from all interested parties to ensure full compliance of the national systems with PEFC's Sustainability Benchmark during a 60-day global public consultation.

The MTCS achieved endorsement in 2009, becoming the first tropical timber certification scheme in the Asia Pacific region to be endorsed by PEFC. Over 90% of the world's certified forest area is in the temperate forests of Europe and North America, making the endorsement of the MTCS a significant achievement towards sustainable forest management in tropical forests.

PAFC Gabon joined PEFC in December 2004, and five years later its scheme became the first in Africa to meet PEFC's sustainability benchmark requirements. With more than two-thirds of Gabon covered in forest, as well as home to some of Africa's most biodiverse rainforests, the Gabonese scheme is an important step towards the development of sustainable forest management throughout the Congo Basin region.

"We have worked very hard the past two years to revise our scheme and meet PEFCC benchmarks and deadlines, so we are proud to submit this scheme to the PEFC Council," said Rose Ondo, President of PAFC Gabon. "I would like to thank all our partners and stakeholders who were involved throughout the process."

All comments received during the global public consultation will provide valuable information for the third-party assessor in determining whether the respective national system is in compliance with international requirements.

Interested stakeholders are invited to use PEFC's Online Consultation Tool to provide comments on the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme and the PAFC Gabon Forest Certification Scheme by 12 October 2013.