In an important step towards ensuring the raw materials coming out of a PEFC-certified forest comply with EUDR requirements, the revised PEFC Sustainable Forest Management benchmark standard was approved by the PEFC General Assembly on Wednesday 13 November 2024. This revised standard, PEFC ST 1003:2024, comprises several new and amended requirements that will enable EUDR alignment for PEFC-certified material coming directly from a PEFC-certified forest. This marks an important step in our PEFC roadmap to EUDR alignment.

While the PEFC Sustainable Forest Management benchmark standard already covered a much wider spectrum of sustainability safeguards, reaching far beyond EUDR requirements and scope, some additions and amendments were needed to enable full EUDR alignment. The main elements included further structuring of the various forest input categories and specification for deforestation and forest degradation EUDR definitions. In addition, the modifications create a clearer and enabling environment for Trees Outside Forests (TOF) to contribute to sustainable supply chains in the PEFC framework. These additional features build on the national and regional forestry contexts while ensuring comparability at international level.

Vietnam Forest Certification Office (VFCO) is updating the new provisions from the PEFC ST 1003:2024 standard and Circular No. 13/2023/TT-BNNPTNT into the VFCS/PEFC ST 1003:2019 Sustainable Forest Management Standard. The updated standard will be issued in the near future to ensure that timber and non-timber forest products (NTFPs) from forests certified under VFCS/PEFC meet the requirements of the EUDR.

VFCO