Based on suspicions of illegal logging, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has announced the cancellation of harvesting agreements for 13 million ha of rainforest, corresponding to three times the size of Belgium. Meanwhile, FSC certification in the Congo Basin is progressing Read more

Canada's largest home improvement chain, RONA, has adopted a procurement policy that sets out goals for minimum supplies of FSC-certified products. For example, by the end of 2011, 90% of RONA's commodity dimension lumber and plywood should be traceable to certified forests. FSC has more

When many cars are produced, even the small parts make up a big volume. The Swedish car producer Volvo now pledges to demand FSC labelling for all of the more than 400,000 car instruction books that are produced each year for new Volvo cars Read more

Based on strong market demands for FSC certified timber, the large Swedish Södra group has announced that it prepares to make FSC group certification available to its members. Södra will also install a premium to forest owners having an FSC or PEFC certificate in place, with double reward for having both certificates Read more

With 54 votes in favour and only one against, the Environment Committee of the European Parliament is now proposing to impose tough penalties on illlegal timber trade. The proposal includes requirements for traceability of suppliers and wood products, and tightened requirements in case of high-risk sourcing Read more

As of 15 March, a new Chain of Custody standard applies to forest operations holding an FSC certificate issued by the Rainforest Alliance. The standard does not imply additional requirements, but is a more explicit way of stating the chain of custody requirements that already exist for forest operations Read more

PEFC is about to launch a comprehensive review of two of its core documents: PEFC's global criteria for sustainable forest management and its standard setting procedures at national level. PEFC invites nominations for participants in the review working group Read more

By agreement with the Rainforest Alliance, NEPCon is now managing the Rainforest Alliance's SmartWood Program in 29 European countries. This will enable NEPCon to coordinate certification efforts in countries with strong business interrelationships Read more

The secret of the oil from the Ojon palm nut has been known for centuries among the Tawiri people - also called 'the people of beautiful hair'. Now the company Ojon® Corporation of the Estee Lauder group is teaming up with the Rainforest Alliance, to ensure responsible and socially beneficial use of this rare rainforest product   Read more 

PEFC is establishing a new stakeholder forum for international forest leaders, which may guide and influence the PEFC system. WWF recognizes this as a positive step but has decided not to join the PEFC process at the present stage Read more