FSC reflected in scientific and professional literature
FSC reflected in scientific and professional literature
FSC reflected in scientific and professional literature
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Forest Stewardship Council<br />
FERN (2004) <strong>in</strong> their comparison of eight different certification schemes f<strong>in</strong>d about the l<strong>in</strong>k<br />
between avoid<strong>in</strong>g illegal logg<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> voluntary forest certification schemes:<br />
“Many l<strong>in</strong>k discussions on forest certification with the verification of legality, necessary to<br />
identify illegally sourced timber. (…) forest certification schemes are not ideal tools to address<br />
illegal logg<strong>in</strong>g practices, although some schemes (<strong>FSC</strong> <strong>and</strong> CSA) are notably better<br />
<strong>in</strong> identify<strong>in</strong>g them than others. Even these schemes are not based sufficiently on the unannounced<br />
audits, cont<strong>in</strong>uous sampl<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong> depth cha<strong>in</strong> of custody analyses that are<br />
seen as essential for verification of legality <strong>in</strong> cases where fraud could be a problem. Furthermore,<br />
certification schemes do not address – or adequately address – the legality of<br />
the non-certified timber supplies. While most certification schemes are attempt<strong>in</strong>g to address<br />
the legality of non-certified timber supplies procured <strong>and</strong> purveyed by certified companies,<br />
the procedures are still largely <strong>in</strong>adequate. It is therefore advisable to de-l<strong>in</strong>k the<br />
discussions on verification of legality from the qualitative audit<strong>in</strong>g of forest management<br />
practices (p.35).” 401<br />
Hirschberger’s study (2005) 402 of certification <strong>in</strong> Estonia states <strong>in</strong> the summary:<br />
“Illegal logg<strong>in</strong>g is one of the ma<strong>in</strong> problems <strong>in</strong> the Estonian forest sector. <strong>FSC</strong> certification<br />
cannot elim<strong>in</strong>ate illegal logg<strong>in</strong>g, but the ability to trace (…) millions cubic meters of certified<br />
timber from its orig<strong>in</strong> will make illegal harvest<strong>in</strong>g activities harder. It should be noted that<br />
even illegally logged timber, which is recovered by the legal owner, cannot be sold as <strong>FSC</strong><br />
certified.”<br />
Not surpris<strong>in</strong>gly, Hirschberger drew the same conclusion for the Latvian CARs studied.<br />
Guillery et al (2007) <strong>in</strong> their case studies for the <strong>FSC</strong> evaluation (see separate publication)<br />
gives another example where <strong>FSC</strong> certification dried up illegal timber trade: In Vietnam jo<strong>in</strong>t<br />
efforts of retailers <strong>and</strong> manufacturer (supported by WWF <strong>and</strong> Tropical Forest Trust) were successful<br />
at cut-t<strong>in</strong>g out an illegal supply of timber <strong>and</strong> improv<strong>in</strong>g social conditions <strong>in</strong> a large<br />
sector of the forest products marketplace.<br />
401 FERN (2004): Footpr<strong>in</strong>ts <strong>in</strong> the Forest: Current Practice <strong>and</strong> Future Challenges <strong>in</strong> Forest Certification. FERN,<br />
UK. www.fern.org/pubs/reports/footpr<strong>in</strong>ts.pdf (as of June 2008)<br />
402 Hirschberger, Peter (2005): The Effects of <strong>FSC</strong>-certification <strong>in</strong> Estonia: an analysis of CARs. WWF Forest Program.<br />
18 p. http://www.p<strong>and</strong>a.org/downloads/forests/f<strong>in</strong>alanalysisestonia.pdf (as of June 2008)<br />
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