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posted on 23 Jan, 2012
Win-win Cooperation of GFA and BSHD on Certification Know-how
„Responsible forest management means active climate and environmental protection”, claims the Association of the German Sawmill and Wood Industry (BSHD). Increasingly, consumers demand sustainable products so that the latter’s market share is on the rise. Forest owners as well as sawmill and wood enterprises which meet internationally recognized standards, indicate an environmental responsibility and commitment towards a holistic management concept regarding wood as a raw material. Hence, sustainable forest management certification has become an important marketing tool of this sector, and its supply chains, worldwide.
The development of FSC and PEFC as the leading private and voluntary systems worldwide is just a beginning. Legal requirements of the Lacey Acts in the United States and the European Union’s Timber Regulation, in Germany represented by the law on trade in illegally logged timber (HolzSiG), have been added. The linkages of individual systems, their development and revisions as well as their technical and timely implementation has become ever complex.
In early January 2012, BSHD and GFA Certification have initiated a cooperation agreement that aims at updating the association’s members on FSC, PEFC and the EU Timber Regulation. Moreover, GFA as a leading certifier offers first-hand information and services related to certification processes and can suggest independent consultants. In a recent news article, BSHD Vice President Lars Schmidt is looking forward to the cooperation with GFA: „The cooperation is a real win-win situation for GFA, BSHD and associated enterprises.“
