Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) informed that the organization’s PEFC General Assembly had approved revised three standards. They will enter into force on February 14, 2020.
According to the announcement, most notable are changes to the chain of custody standard, specifically the expansion of the definition of controversial sources.
The new trademark standard, which replaces the PEFC Logo usage rules, is expected to strengthen the consistent use of PEFC trademarks worldwide, while also making it easier for consumers to understand what the PEFC logo stands for.
Auditors are now subject to additional training requirements for conducting PEFC chain of custody certification. This is expected to further safeguards the integrity of the conformity assessment process, and to ensure that specifics concerning PEFC requirements, including e.g. the expanded definition of controversial sources, international conventions on worker’s rights and labour contracts, or collective bargaining agreements, are accurately verified.
There is an 18-month transition period, after which all users of the standards will need to be in line with the latest requirements.