EU Parliament regards PEFC and FSC as equally suitable to give consumers assurance

The European Parliament considers PEFC and FSC certification systems to be equally suitable to give consumers assurances concerning sustainable forest management. This was announced in a report, adopted by the parliament last month, evaluating the implementation of the EU forestry strategy.

The resolution, which has been brought to the attention of the European Council and the European Commission, furthermore calls for the mutual recognition of the two certification initiatives to be promoted.

“Inclusive public timber procurement policies, which recognize certified products from all international certification systems, are an excellent way to encourage the use of certified wood and paper and help mutual recognition through procurement policies to be promoted”, said Mr Ben Gunneberg, Secretary General of the PEFC Council. “We therefore support the European Parliament in its call for harmonization and also in its appeal to further integrate the MCPFE results in the political decision-making process.”

The full resolution adopted by the EU Parliament is available in all EU languages on the European Parliament website, click here then follow the link to A6-0015/2006.