· facilitate discussion on creating a better understanding of stakeholder views on Forest Certification schemes
· Alhassan Attah
- Timber Export Development Division(Ghana Forestry Commission)
- London Office Manager
· Overview
· Comparability of schemes
· Credibility Factors
· Conclusions and Recommendations
· 1980's - Debate on boycotts of tropical timbers
· Result:Evolution of Forest Certification schemes
*International Level - FSC
*Regional Level - PEFC
*National level - GFCS
· "Good forest practice
· Recognition of responsible forest management
· Proliferation of schemes
· Confusion in the market place
· Juggling for position in markets
· PR
· Differences raising questions
n Comparability and mutual recognition of schemes is being encouraged by:
* Race to put certified timber on market
* Growing market demand
* recognition that differences exit in forest structure and quality
* Differences in stakeholder expectations
· COMPARABILITY OF SCHEMES
· MUTAL RECOGNITION OF SCHEMES
· Consensus on definitions
· Independence of assessment teams and certification bodies
· Market acceptance of Certificates and Labels.
· Quality of assessment
· Regulatory framework
· Inter- governmental agencies e.g ITTO to continue to create for a for discussions on certification
· International support and cooperation for reporting systems in producer countries
· Establish regulatory body for certification schemes(Gov't/Professional )