PEFC launches public consultation on revised project certification requirements

24 October 2025 PEFC system news

PEFC International has launched a 60-day public consultation on the revision of its Project Certification Requirements, marking an important step toward making sustainable construction more accessible and verifiable across the built environment.

The consultation, open from 24 October to 23 December 2025, invites stakeholders to review and comment on the proposed PEFC Project Sourcing standard and the accompanying Requirements for Certification Bodies.

Fill out this form to get access to the standards for feedback.

Strengthening sustainability in the built environment

The revision represents a major milestone in PEFC’s efforts to support the responsible sourcing of forest and tree-based materials. Until now, what has been known as Project Certification operated under guidance outlined in Annex 1 of PEFC GD 2001:2014, which adapted the PEFC Chain of Custody standard (ST 2002) for construction projects - treating each building or structure as a distinct “product.”

With the revision, this system will evolve into PEFC Project Sourcing certification - a clearer, more practical framework that aligns with how projects are planned and managed in today’s construction and design sectors.

Since the first project certificate was issued in Spain in 2008, project certification has supported sustainable material sourcing in major developments such as the London 2012 Olympic Park, the Mount Fuji World Heritage Center, the Sydney Metro Northwest, and the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris.

From guidance to global standard

While the existing framework has proven successful, it has also revealed challenges. Because the current guidance is non-normative, it leaves room for interpretation and lacks clarity for certification bodies and companies implementing the requirements. It also uses terminology not always familiar to the built environment sector, making implementation less straightforward.

To address these issues, PEFC has developed a standalone international standard, Sustainable Sourcing and Traceability of Forest and Tree Based Materials for Projects – Requirements, known as the PEFC Project Sourcing standard, along with the associated certification body requirements, Requirements for Certification Bodies operating Certification against the PEFC Project Sourcing standard.

These normative documents introduce clear definitions, simplified procedures, and a structure that reflects modern project management. The framework ensures full traceability across all contractors, whether certified or not, providing a transparent chain of custody for forest and tree-based materials throughout a project’s lifecycle.

Fill out this form to get access to the standards for feedback.

Alignment with green building frameworks

A key feature of the revision is its alignment with internationally recognised green building systems such as LEED, BREEAM, DGNB, and Green Star. The updated standard adopts language familiar to industry professionals, reduces administrative complexity, and supports diverse project types and sizes. It strengthens due diligence and traceability while promoting the use of responsibly sourced, PEFC-certified materials in construction, renovation, and creative design projects.

Projects covered under this standard can include any type of structure or creative work using wood or tree-based materials - from homes and offices to bridges, parks, and public art installations - within a clearly defined location and scope.

Information webinars

To support understanding of the proposed changes, PEFC will host information webinars later this year. Sessions for organisations affected by the Project Sourcing requirements will take place on 10 November and 1 December, while certification bodies are invited to dedicated sessions on 10 November and 15 December. These webinars will explain key updates and how the revised framework will be implemented in practice.

Invitation for stakeholder participation

Through the public consultation, PEFC invites feedback from construction professionals, certification bodies, accreditation bodies, sustainability experts, green building certification organisations, green building councils, policy makers, consultants working on responsible sourcing and traceability, architects, and project developers. Input gathered will help finalise the standard before it is presented for approval at the 2026 PEFC General Assembly following pilot testing.

By evolving project certification into PEFC Project Sourcing certification, PEFC continues to bridge forest management and sustainable construction, ensuring responsibly sourced materials can be confidently traced from the forest to the finished project.

Fill out this form to get access to the standards for feedback.

© David Bordes - Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris