PEFC releases new list of PEFC product categories

6 December 2021 PEFC system news

The PEFC product categories are a key element in the implementation of the PEFC chain of custody by certified organisations and certification bodies. The revised list of PEFC product categories, as approved by the Chain of Custody Working Group on 15 October 2021, is now available.

The PEFC product categories define the PEFC product groups to which the chain of custody is applied and the scope of the chain of custody certificate. When checking the validity of a PEFC claim on a PEFC certified product, companies use the PEFC database to ensure the product is under the scope of their certified supplier.

Additionally, the categories serve as a tool for the promotion of certified products, with the list of product categories covered by a certified organisation available on the PEFC International website.

Download the list of product categories:

Previously, the PEFC product categories were used on an informative basis, to keep track of the certified products produced by a certified company. Following the last revision of the PEFC chain of custody standards, the requirements for the scope of chain of custody certificates were harmonized, requiring certification bodies to include, under the certificate scope, the products covered by the chain of custody according to the PEFC product categories (see PEFC ST 2003:2020, requirement 7.7.2.d).

To update the list of product categories and provide an accurate reflection of the wide range of certified products made from forest or tree-based material, PEFC has revised the product categories published in 2012, based on feedback received from different stakeholders.

At the beginning of 2022, PEFC will update the Find Certified section of the PEFC International website to make it easier for users to get information on the certified status of a company and/or a product. The new functionalities include access to certificate timelines and QR codes to check the validity of any information provided.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us at technical@pefc.org.