Timber and timber products certified under the Guyana National Forest Certification System (GNFCS) will now carry highly revered Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) International labels and trademarks. This endorsement not only recognizes the credibility of Guyana’s forest certification systems, but also assures buyers that Guyanese timber is legally sourced and sustainably managed.
This latest development was noted by the Ministry of Natural Resources. The PEFC, along with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), is one of the two major global initiatives advocating for sustainable forest management. The ministry said the endorsement positions Guyana’s forestry management practices on par with global standards, promoting sustainable forest management through rigorous third-party certification.
It was stated that the certification not only highlights the global environmental, social, and economic standards of the certified forest operators but also assures buyers of compliance with both national and international legal requirements. These include adherence to fundamental International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions and prohibitions against child labour. It therefore means that all forest management and chain-of-custody certificates issued by the GNFCS are now regarded as equivalent to those of the PEFC International certification system.
The GNFCS is structured around three key standards: Forest Management, governed by the Guyana Standard for Sustainable Forest Management (GSSFM); Chain of Custody; and Group Certification. This comprehensive framework ensures that all certified practices meet stringent environmental, social, and economic criteria.
The journey toward this PEFC recognition began in 2020 when the Ministry of Natural Resources initiated the development of the GNFCS. In 2021, a formal process was spearheaded by an independent, multi-stakeholder working group chaired by the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC). This group included representatives from various sectors such as the Forest Products Association (FPA), the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), indigenous NGOs, environmental NGOs, academia, research institutions, workers’ organisations, and youth and women’s groups.
Two editorial drafts of the GNFCS were subjected to public review and comment before the system was finalised and submitted for PEFC’s assessment. The robust development process ensured that the GNFCS was both comprehensive and inclusive, reflecting the diverse interests and expertise of Guyana’s forestry stakeholders.
The GNFCS aligns with several national initiatives, including the European Union’s Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreement, and the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030. These initiatives reinforce Guyana’s commitment to sustainable forestry and environmental stewardship.
The Ministry of Natural Resources expressed its gratitude to all forestry stakeholders, the local PEFC working group, and the GFC team for their dedication and hard work in achieving this significant milestone. It also noted that this international recognition is a testament to Guyana’s ongoing efforts to uphold and advance sustainable forest management practices.
