Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) schemes

PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) is an international non-profit organization that certifies forests and forest-based supply chains against rigorous sustainability standards. It operates as an umbrella body, endorsing national forest certification schemes that have been developed through multi-stakeholder processes and tailored to local ecological, social, and legal conditions. Each national scheme is assessed against PEFC's global Sustainability Benchmark before receiving endorsement, ensuring a consistent baseline of credibility across all member programs. Today, PEFC encompasses over 35 national schemes covering more than 220 million hectares of certified forest worldwide.

For businesses in construction, manufacturing, and other industries that use timber or non-timber forest products, PEFC certification provides a verifiable way to demonstrate that materials have been sourced from responsibly managed forests. Certification applies across the entire supply chain — from forest operators and loggers to processors, manufacturers, and retailers — allowing companies to make credible claims about the sustainability of their products and meet the sourcing requirements of green building standards, procurement policies, and customer expectations.

PEFC is recognized globally and relevant to organizations operating in virtually any country. It is particularly well suited for companies that need a widely accepted, internationally recognized sustainability credential for wood-based materials used in construction or manufactured goods.