Principles of recognition

International recognition of the quality of forest management is reflected by a brand or certificate with which the logs or timber is stamped. This certificate gives consumers the (international) assurance that the product they buy come from sustainably managed forests.

International recognition and certification is based on the following principles:

• Market mechanism: the consumer asks for a product with a certain quality. The producer supplies this quality at a reasonable price. In our case the consumer asks for an environmentally and socially responsible product.
  
  
• International agreements: the management of natural resources is done in a socially acceptable, economically viable and environmentally responsible manner. At various international meetings, generally and internationally accepted principles for sustainable forest management are formulated. Some principles form the basis of international certification schemes such as FSC, PEFC.
  
  
• Local definition of sustainability: All stakeholders of the forest sector define together what sustainability is in the local context. This definition should be aligned with international agreements.
  
  
• Independent review: Clear information between the links in the timber supply chain is important to maintain and/or to win the consumer’s confidence. Testing is done by third parties.