A presentation by Ben Gunneberg, the Secretary General of PEFC International, given at the May 2010 Stakeholder Dialogue held in Geneva, Switzerland.

1. Group Forest Management
Certification Requirements
(PEFC ST 1002:200x (ED 1.0)
Ben Gunneberg,
PEFC Council Secretary General
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2. Main differences between “old” and proposed
new documentation
1. Cancels and replaces requirements for group and regional
certification as defined in Annex 3 of the Technical
Document
2. Provides one set of requirements for all multi-
site/group/regional approaches,
3. Removes duplication / overlaps in documentation and
provides clear definitions
4. Provides a concise and precise Meta standard
requirements for forest certification systems which allow
group forest management certification.
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3. Why do we need Group forest certification ?
1. It is normal practice in certification to audit every company
site covered by the certificate
2. Implications for forest owners:
1. Small forest owners could not afford the costs
2. Many Forests would not be certified
3. Solution:
1. Group Certification based on sampling / other
information / monitoring, making use of existing
information on forest management
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4. What does Group forest certification do ?
1. Allows forest owners to become certified under one
certificate and share
1. the financial obligations
2. Common responsibilities for forest management
2. Aims to improve information dissemnination and co-
operation in forest management amongst forest owners
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5. Structure of Document
1. This document defines the requirements “inside the group”
including certain management structures between owners /
managers and/or the entity representing them. This in turn
leads to the correct implementation of sustainable forest
management and provides confidence in sampling
2. Requirements for “auditing” including sampling etc to be
covered in the document on requirements for certification
bodies
3. Provides a meta standard as strong framework for
development of locally adapted and suitable solutions
5 4. Contains requirements which have to be followed to
ensure a clear approach and structure

6. Basic approach
Group organisation (3.3)
Group entity
(Central office) (3.2)
Participant (3.6)
Participant (3.6)
Participant (3.6)
Participant (3.6)
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7. Basic Model
1. Whole box defines group forest organisation which is
certified
2. Any non conformity in any of the participants applies to the
whole group organisation
3. Any sampling requires structure, rules and management
between the Group entity and the participants to ensure
robustness
4. This model applies to all situations where more forest
owners are covered by one certificate,
5. National terms can be applied provided each element is
identifiable in the structure of this standard.
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8. Functions and responsibilities of Group Entity
1. To represent the group forest organisation in certification
process
2. Provide commitment on behalf of organisation to comply
with SFM and other scheme requirements
3. Establish written procedures for management of group
4. Keep records including
1. All participants, contact details, id of properties and
size
2. Conformity of participants with requirements
3. Certified area
4. Implementation of internal monitoring, its review and
any preventative / corrective actions taken
5. Written agreements on participants comitments and
obligations
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9. Functions and responsibilities of Group Entity
5. Provide “confirmation on participation“ in group forest
certification
6. Provide info and guidance for effective implementation of
SFM and other scheme requirements
7. Operate annual internal monitoring programme for
evaluation of participant’s conformity with requirements
8. Operate Review of conformity with SFM standard,
including results of internal monitoring, CB’s evaluations
and surveillance, corrective and preventative measure if
required and evaluation of effectiveness of CARs
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10. Functions and responsibilities of Participants
1. Contractual relationship with group entity on conformity
with SFM and other requirements
2. To comply with SFM standard and other requirements
3. Provide full co-operation and assistance to group entity or
CB requests for data etc
4. To implement corrective actions and preventative action
established by group entity.
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