Regional forest certification system for the Balkans submitted for endorsement

23 July 2021 PEFC system news

The PEFC Balkan Forest Certification Scheme was submitted to PEFC for endorsement earlier this month. The public consultation, which is your chance to give your feedback on this new system, will run from 4 August to 2 October.

Our national members for Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Slovenia developed a harmonized framework for their national forest management standards to create this regional system for the Western Balkans. 

This is the second regional system submitted for endorsement. It follows the Congo Basin regional system, which is currently under assessment. By developing a regional system, it enables our members to maximise their impact and reach, share resources and knowledge, and reduce the costs in developing and running a forest certification system. 

To provide you with additional information, we are holding a webinar on 4 August, at 10:00 CEST. The webinar is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. 

The endorsement process

After developing the regional system in line with PEFC requirements, it was submitted to PEFC. The system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this process and be approved by the PEFC General Assembly before it can achieve 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.

Want to know more? Join us for the webinar on 4 August.