TRACEABILITY OF WOOD

Forest certification emerged in the early 1990s on the initiative of the environmental movement. The background was primarily a widespread concern about the pace of deforestation in the tropics and disappointment that international policy initiatives failed to reduce the rate of deforestation. The aim was to create a market-driven and voluntary tool to encourage responsible use of the world’s forests.

The first independent certification organization founded was FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) in 1993. FSC has since been followed by several other forest certification schemes which PEFC™ (Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes) today is the largest, in terms of certified forest area.

Pursuant to Skandinaviska Träimports Responsible Sourcing Policy, wood may not come from controversial sources. It must not come from illegal cuttings, areas of particular natural value (unless measures promoting biodiversity are involved), gene-modified trees or areas with serious social conflicts including violence and confrontation. Neither the wood may come from natural forests transformed to other use.

Wherever possible, we try to find certified alternatives. In most countries, the certificates standards demand a much higher level of consideration than the national laws require. The FSC and PEFC traceability standards together with EU timber regulation EU-TR 995/2013 contributes to minimize sourcing of illegally harvested timber. Illegally harvested wood is not permitted in certified products and are illegal to import to the countries of the European Union. Only approved and certified forestry owners, traders and producers can manage and sell certified products. Audits made by an independent external certification body ensure that the companies in the chain of custody fulfill the demands placed under the standards.

CERTIFICATIONS AND REGULATIONS