The Bulgarian Forest Certification Scheme achieved PEFC endorsement on 25 October 2019. The national system was replaced by the regional Balkan Forest Certification Scheme in July 2025. 

2024 system elements

Endorsement milestones

To maintain its PEFC endorsement, the system must meet specific endorsement milestones. The first milestone is the start of the periodic review within five years of the national approval of the sustainable forest management standard.

• National approval date: 24 February 2024
• Review date:28 February 2029

2024-25 system assessment

• Status: Assessment finished, system endorsement maintained (endorsement of the new Trees outside Forests appendix still to be achieved) 
• Assessment Report
• Type: Revised system and new TOF endorsement
• Assessor: Indufor
• System submitted for assessment: 6 April 2024
• Consultation: 28 May - 27 July 2024

Watch the recording of the webinar to find out more about this national system.

System history

• Re-endorsed: 29 July 2025
• Endorsed: 25 October 2019
• Joined PEFC: 31 May 2017

Council for Sustainable Forest Management and Certification in Bulgaria

History before PEFC 

Antony Stefanov - Chairman

On February 18, 2011 PEFC Bulgaria was established as a non-profit association "PI-EF-CI-BULGARIA-UNION FOR SUPPORT OF FOREST CERTIFICATION". This working group drafted a scheme with criteria and indicators for the sustainable management of forests in Bulgaria, according to the PEFC Council framework criteria. The following procedure was let by PEFC International and included a public consultation.

In 2017, the statute was changed, which included the change of the name of the organization to “Council for Sustainable Forest Management and certification in Bulgaria” (CSFMCB or PEFC Bulgaria).

The leading member organizations/institutions in the Council are represented by:

• BULPROFOR – Branch organization of the foresters and forest entrepreneurs in Bulgaria;
• Branch Chamber of Woodworking and Furniture Industry;
• Forest Institute in Bulgarian Academy of Science;
• Forestry University;
• National association of non-state forest owners “GOROVLADELETZ”
• NATURA-21 Foundation;
• NGO - “NATURE FOR THE PEOPLE AND REGIONS”

The Statute of the Council provides an open space for the stakeholders in forestry to apply for the membership in the organization.

The CSFMCB is a non-profit and non-governmental organization established as a National Governing Body for promotion of sustainable forest management according to the requirements of PEFC.

What are the benefits of being part of the PEFC alliance?

PEFC certification is more flexible than other certifications and respects equally ecological and environmental functions of forests and their social and economic functions. PEFC certification is oriented towards the needs of the forest owners and is open to innovative approaches to certification and monitoring of management. PEFC certification is business-oriented and brings together forest owners and forest-related organizations.