A major international workshop on forest certification in
Beijing, China, 16-17 September has focussed on the important role of PEFC
certification in improving the management of the World's forests.
Representatives from Japan, Canada, Finland, Malaysia, Indonesia, Russia, the
United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, PEFC International, the International
Tropical Timber Organisation and some one hundred Chinese stakeholders
participated in the workshop. The diversity of international interest was
driven by the fundamental role China plays as an importer of wood fibre and an
exporter of wood and paper products.
The workshop celebrated the recent endorsement of the China Forest Certification Scheme by PEFC which represents a significant milestone for
safeguarding global forests. Through the Chinese Forest Certification Council,
China will actively promote both forest management and chain of custody
certification. AFS Ltd National Secretary, Richard Stanton, presented an
overview of the Australian Forest Certification Scheme at the Workshop and
highlighted the role that certified Australian forest managers and wood and
paper products manufacturers can play in meeting the increasing Chinese demand
for PEFC certified wood fibre and products.
