Forest Certification
Is Certification Relevant in New Zealand?
Throughout the world, companies and governments are coming
under
increasing pressure to adopt measures to verify that products have been
produced by methods that are environmentally acceptable.
Certification is becoming increasingly relevant in the New
Zealand
forestry scene. This is because:
- Many markets in Europe and some in the USA are starting to
require some
form of certification.
- Increasing numbers of Asian processors who are utilising NZ
Pine for
remanufacture into finished products for the developed world are also
requiring certified lumber because their wholesale markets require
certified wood products.
- Worldwide, certification (including FSC certification) is
increasing in
both the developed and developing world.
- 42 % of plantation forest area is now FSC Certified in NZ
as are a
large number of processors.
- Some regions have significant processors or dominant
processors whose
customers require certified product.
- Changes to future Chain of Custody (CoC) rules covering the
“dilution” of product mean that many processors
will require a high percentage of certified log input in the future.
- Governments, including the New Zealand Government are
starting to
review recommended procurement policies for use of wood and wood based
products by government agencies.
These factors drive expectations that certification will be a
requirement for preferential and more reliable market access. Such
preference may also become reflected through price or transport
premiums as mills seek certified logs from greater distances. Most
companies have obtained certification to:
- Maintain current markets.
- To provide the flexibility to meet new or evolving markets
requiring
certification.
- To provide assurance to institutional investors that the
forests are
“well managed” in environmental terms.
- Enable provision of management service to clients protects
all options
for the client.
To view International FSC Certification Statistics (courtesy of Forest Stewardship Council) -
(click here)
To view Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified companies
in NZ and
the world – (click here)
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