Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris, receives PEFC project certification, certifying the sustainability of the solid oak used to rebuild the cathedral's roof structures

25 April 2024 Sustainable construction

Now that the rebuilding of the entire roof structure of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral in solid oak has been completed, the FCBA Institute of Technology, along with PEFC France, has officially awarded PEFC project certification to public establishment Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris, the contracting authority for the restoration project.

This certification confirms the sustainable origin of the solid oak wood materials used, and the responsible nature of the work carried out by the contracting authority, chief architects of historic monuments and project managers.

A commitment to cultural and natural heritage

The medieval frames of the nave and choir, built in the 13th century, and those of the Viollet-le-Duc spire and both arms of the transept, dating from the 19th century, were destroyed in the fire on April 15, 2019. They were restored identically, using the same techniques and materials as the original, solid oak.

By rebuilding Notre-Dame de Paris' roof structure in wood, part of which - the great roof - is also known as "the forest", the shared history of the cathedral and French forests will continue to be written for centuries to come.

Like Notre-Dame de Paris, France's forests are living symbols of our cultural, tangible and intangible heritage, so it's important to preserve them to ensure their longevity for future generations.

An industry wide commitment

In a show of solidarity, the entire French forestry and timber industry mobilized to supply the wood needed to meet the specifications of this exceptional project.

Actors from state-owned forests, community forests, forestry cooperatives, forestry experts, private owners and processing companies were all involved in ensuring that each stage of the reconstruction of the frameworks was carried out using a sustainable forest management approach, maintaining the balance between the economic, social and environmental dimensions of the forest.

This systemic approach enables the renewal of the forests from which the timber was sourced, thereby maintaining their multifunctionality, while preserving diversity, vitality, productivity, and regeneration capacity.

PEFC project certification: proof of commitment

Project certification, developed by PEFC, certifies that at least 70% of the total volume of wood used is PEFC-certified, ensuring that PEFC’s forest certification requirements, which define and control a set of forest management rules applicable to all forest stakeholders (forest owners, forest managers, forest operators, forestry contractors), have been implemented.

Additionally, the implementation of PEFC chain of custody in project certification certifies that all parties involved in a construction or renovation project, whether certified companies or subcontractors, have applied the control principles defined by PEFC, making it possible to track the flow of certified wood at every stage of the supply chain.

Today, thanks to the 35 PEFC-certified sawmills involved in the project, the majority of which are PEFC-certified, 175 PEFC-certified forests, and the use of over 80% PEFC-certified logs, the entire framework of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral benefits from PEFC project certification.

The implementation of PEFC’s rules for sustainable forest management on the one hand, and chain of custody on the other, means that PEFC certification can now be awarded for the entire Notre-Dame de Paris timber reconstruction project, a testament to stakeholder commitment to sustainable forest management and an environmentally, socially and economically responsible timber construction site.

“I would like to thank PEFC France and the FCBA Institute of Technology for this certification. It recognizes the remarkable commitment and strong support of all the players in the forestry and timber industry: the ONF, France Bois Forêt and its members, the mayors of forest communities, private owners and their representatives, and sawmillers all over France, who donated trees and processed the timber. I extend my warmest thanks to them, as well as to the hewers, squarers and carpenters who have placed their expertise at the service of the cathedral's rebirth, as part of an exemplary restoration project", commented Philippe Jost, President of Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris. 

Christine de Neuville, President of PEFC France, added "awarding this certification today recognizes the commitment of not only the client, Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris, but also of the entire forestry and timber industry to the long-term survival of the French forest. This unprecedented industry mobilization to restore a symbol of French heritage is a perfect illustration of the vision and determination that PEFC has been pursuing for 25 years now: to bring together and offer all forestry stakeholders solutions to meet the common challenges that lie ahead: the changing environmental, economic and societal challenges facing forests in France in the face of global warming, and thus preserve the French forest".

About PEFC

Founded in 1999, PEFC is an international organization dedicated to preserving forests and sustaining forest resources to meet the wood needs of society today and into the future. PEFC ensures sustainably managed forests through a set of rules (called "standards") applicable in certified forests. To ensure continuous improvement, these requirements are periodically revised.

Present in 56 countries around the world, PEFC certification unites people around a vision of the forest that seeks to balance its environmental, societal and economic dimensions, ensuring sustainable forest management and the involvement of over 82,000 forest owners and over 3,000 companies in France.

About the public establishment Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris

Provided for by the law of July 29, 2019, the public body Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris was created on December 1, 2019, following the fire of April 15, 2019, to lead, coordinate and carry out studies and operations contributing to the conservation and restoration of the cathedral, and in particular its reopening in 2024. This public body, part of the Ministry of Culture, is also responsible for promoting the project and the trades and expertise involved.

Keep up to date with all the latest news from the site: @rebatirnotredamedeparis on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube and rebatirnotredamedeparis.fr

About the FCBA Institute of Technology

Founded in 1952, the FCBA (Forêt Cellulose Bois-construction Ameublement) industrial technical centre’s mission is to promote technical progress and contribute to improving efficiency and quality assurance in industry. Its scope covers the entire forestry-wood and furniture sector: forestry, pulp and paper, logging, sawmills, carpentry, joinery, structures, wood-based panels, furniture, packaging and miscellaneous products...

Press contact: Elisa CHEMINAUD-GHEERAERT - elisa.cheminaud-gheeraert@insign.fr - 06 12 45 73 43

Photo credits: © David Bordes - Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris, © Patrick Zachmann - Magnum Photos, © Patrick Zachmann - Magnum Photos, © David Bordes - Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris