What is PEFC?
What we do and why
We endorse national forest certification systems developed through multi-stakeholder processes and tailored to local priorities and conditions. We believe that forest certification needs to be local; this is why we choose to work with national organizations to advance responsible forestry. Forest certification is at our core. We provide forest owners, from the large to the small, with a tool to demonstrate their responsible practices, while empowering consumers and companies to buy sustainably.
A global alliance
A membership organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, we have more than 80 members located around the world, including national certification systems, NGOs, labour unions, business, trade associations, forest owner organizations and committed individuals. Our 55 national members are independent, national organizations that develop and implement the PEFC system within their country. While our 29 international stakeholder members include companies, organizations and associations whose principles and objectives are in support of ours.
Our history
In 1999, small- and family forest owners from Europe came together to create a forest certification system that would enable them to demonstrate their excellence in sustainable forest management. 20 years on, PEFC is the largest forest certification system in the world!