Forest Certification and Labelling Sample Clauses

Forest Certification and Labelling. There is a considerable degree of interest globally in using certification standards to control market access for timber products. In some countries, there have been efforts (not in China) to impede or restrict the sale of products if they do not carry the Forest Stewardship Council’s label. Australia has completed its forest certification scheme, the Australian Forestry Standard (AFS), which has gained international recognition through the Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC)2. The Australian Government has played an important role in supporting the development of the Australian Forestry Standard. China is in the final stages of completing its forest certification standard. Neither the Chinese or Australian standards are recognised under the Forest Stewardship Council label. Australian companies have started to certify or accredit their forest management practices against the criteria and indicators of the AFS. However, not all Australian forests and plantations are currently certified. For those forests and plantations not covered by the AFS or any equivalent forestry standard, it is important to note that Australia’s forests and plantations are all grown and managed in accordance with the legislated Codes of Practice which operate in each State and Territory. While there have been attempts by environmental NGOs to prevent illegal logging by pressuring Governments only to support the purchase of timber from certified sources, the reality is that many places are similar to Australia. Not all sources of timber supply are currently certified and any legislated requirement to purchase timber from those companies covered by a certification standard would exclude a considerable amount of timber from market place.