Forest Certification: Forging Novel Incentives for the Environment and Sustainable Forest Management Proceedings of the International Workshop Brussels, Belgium 6–7 September 2001 Markku Simula, Ewald Rametsteiner, Anni Blåsten, Tim Green and Brita Pajari (eds.) EFI Proceedings 43, 2001 Indufor Oy European Forest Institute European Commission EFI Proceedings No. 43, 2001 Forest Certification: Forging Novel Incentives for the Environment and Sustainable Forest Management Markku Simula, Ewald Rametsteiner, Anni Blåsten, Tim Green and Brita Pajari (eds.) Publisher: European Forest Institute Series Editors: Risto Päivinen, Editor-in-Chief Tim Green, Technical Editor Brita Pajari, Events Manager Editorial Office: European Forest Institute Phone: +358 13 252 020 Torikatu 34 Fax. +358 13 124 393 FIN-80100 Joensuu, Finland Email: [email protected] WWW: http://www.efi.fi/ Disclaimers: Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on behalf of the Commission is responsible for the following information and none of the information provided or opinion expressed reflect an official view of the European Commission. The papers in this publication comprise the proceedings of the event mentioned on the cover and title page. They reflect the authors’ opinions and do not necessarily correspond to those of the European Forest Institute. © European Forest Institute 2001 ISSN: 1457-0610 (online) ISBN: 952-9844-91-3 Contents Foreword ........................................................................................................... 5 Workshop Report .............................................................................................. 7 E. Rametsteiner Background Paper for Workshop on Forest Certification: Forging Novel and M. Simula Incentives for Environment and Sustainable Forest Management ................. 13 M. Simula Setting the Scene ............................................................................................ 73 S. Goodall Forest Certification: Opportunities and Benefits ............................................ 77 E. Wijkström Implications of International Trade Rules for the Design of Certification System ............................................................................................................. 81 P. Poschen Social Aspects in Certification Standards and Their Application .................. 87 W. Schopfhauser Revision of CEPI’s Comparative Matrix of Forest Certification Schemes .. 109 E. Rametsteiner Evaluation/Validation Criteria for Forest Certification Systems and for Forest Certification Standards ...................................................................... 113 S. Ozinga Forest Certification: a Lack of Trust on All Sides ........................................ 119 J. Crochet Minimum Requirements of Forest Certification Schemes: Viewpoint of European Forest Owners .............................................................................. 127 H. Valtanen Minimum Requirements of Forest Certification Schemes: Viewpoint of the Forest Industry ........................................................................................ 131 M. von Abendroth Minimum Requirements of Forest Certification Schemes: Stakeholder Views ........................................................................................ 135 J. Zwaenepoel Field Trip to Zoniën ...................................................................................... 137 and C. De Schepper K. Bosdijk Keurhout’s Lessons Learned on Verifying Forest Management and Chain of Custody Certificates ....................................................................... 141 M. Simula Options for an International Validation/Evaluation System of Forest Certification Schemes ................................................................................... 147 Group Work Tasks and Reports .................................................................... 153 Programme .................................................................................................... 163 List of participants ........................................................................................ 165 Foreword The European Commission hosted an international workshop, arranged by Indufor and the European Forest Institute, in Brussels on 6–7 September, 2001, to examine the scope and options for possible validation or endorsement of certification schemes to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of forest certification as a tool to promote sustainable forest management globally. The option of taking no action was also considered. The purpose of the Workshop was to inform certification experts of Member States and the Commission personnel on the current state of forest certification and its novel applications. In addition, the Workshop offered an opportunity for stakeholders to exchange views and share experiences on the implementation of forest certification. The Workshop was also a contribution to the on-going international dialogue on exploring the need for, and possible mechanisms of, mutual recognition between certification schemes. The Workshop built on the results of the FAO-GTZ-ITTO Seminar on ‘Building Confidence among Forest Certification Schemes and their Supporters’ (Rome, February 2001), the CEPI Seminar on Mutual Recognition of Credible Forest Certification Systems (Brussels, November 2000) and the PEFC/EU Technical Seminar on the Requirements of Mutual Recognition between Sustainable Forest Management Certification Schemes (Brussels, June 2000). The Background Paper by Rametsteiner and Simula was sent to participants before the Workshop, and formed the basis for further lively discussion during the event. Some of the contributions presented at this meeting were PowerPoint presentations. These contributions are also included in this Proceedings. The specific issues raised during the workshop were: • What new applications are emerging for forest certification; • Whether there is a need for action at international level to address the issue of several parallel market-based certification schemes; • What needs and opportunities does forest certification create for governments and how to link it with other instruments; • How far could existing elements serve for validation or evaluation of forest management standards and certification systems; • What minimum requirements could or should be set for forest certification systems; • What lessons can be learned from assessment of forest certification systems; • What needs and options exist for international institutional arrangements for validation of certification standards and systems; • How could modalities for a further dialogue be developed (e.g. how to involve all stakeholders and build mutual confidence and ownership of the international dialogue). The Workshop had a total of 61 participants representing governments, international organisations, and various stakeholder groups including forest owners, forest industry and Markku Simula, Ewald Rametsteiner, Anni Blåsten, Tim Green and Brita Pajari (eds.) Forest Certification: Forging Novel Incentives for the Environment and Sustainable Forest Management EFI Proceedings No. 43, 2001 6 Forest Certification: Forging Novel Incentives for the Environment… trade, buyers of forest products, and non-governmental organisations. Four participants came from developing countries. Finally, I would like to thank the speakers, moderators, rapporteurs, participants and all those involved in the organization of this event and in the publication of this Proceedings. Helsinki, October 2001 Markku Simula Workshop Report Moderators’ Closing Remarks The following Moderators’ Closing Remarks provide an overview of some of the main points raised in the Workshop. While the participants discussed and commented on the draft summary and their comments have been taken into account, the text still remains the Closing Remarks of the Moderators (Markku Simula and Ewald Rametsteiner). It should not be seen as expression of a consensus view of the participants and it should be read in conjunction with the summaries of the reports of the Group Work (see later in this publication). 1. In mid-2001 close to 82 million ha of forests have been certified to be well or sustainably managed. About 60% of the certified area is located in Europe, and only about 10% is located in developing countries. The area is growing fast under different certification schemes. 2. There is a potential to enhance the role of forest certification in promoting sustainable forest management (SFM) and to broaden the range of application, but proactive action is required to tap this potential. Forest certification might be used together with, or as a means of assisting, other instruments such as public procurement, eco-labelling, verification of carbon sinks and other environmental services of forests, enforcement of government regulation, implementation of tariff preferences, and development cooperation. However, operational links with these instruments would require careful assessment and definition of what ‘credible’ or ‘acceptable’ forest certification means in practice in order to ensure that the goals of certification are not compromised. 3. Certification offers opportunities to promote SFM and the use of timber, and to gain public support for forestry. Experience points to the importance of involving stakeholders in the process and trying to reach consensus before making decisions. Governments can act as a facilitator in this process. 4. Voluntary certification schemes are