The Vietnam Forest Certification Schemes (VFCS) is the newest member of PEFC and has been endorsed by PEFC to meet PEFC international standards. “This has been a great effort, and we are proud of Vietnam’s Vietnam Forest Certification Scheme, which PEFC has recognized,” said Dr. Bui Chinh Nghia, Deputy Chief of the VFCO Office.
“Recognizing that VFCS’s national standards for sustainable forest management meet and even exceed the Global Sustainability Standard for sustainable forest management reinforces our belief Vietnam is on the right direction to build a national sustainable forest management certification system practically and applicably. The PEFC accreditation recognizes all the collective efforts of the National Sustainable Forest Management Certification System.” Mr. Nguyen Quoc Tri, Director of Vietnam Administration of Forestry, delivered a speech.
Vietnam Administration of Forestry has started to approach and cooperate with the PEFC system since 2015, becoming an official member of PEFC in early 2019. Proud to provide sustainable solutions for the rubber industry. The fact that 12,000 ha of hybrid acacia and rubber plantations were certified by VFCS before PEFC endorsed the National Sustainable Forest Management Certification System has shown the high determination of stakeholders in practice national sustainable forest management system into operation.
“We are delighted that Vietnam is the first PEFC member to supply PEFC certified natural rubber and rubberwood,” said Dr. Bui Chinh Nghia. “We appreciate PEFC’s holistic approach to helping newcomers like VFCS. PEFC accreditation is not only related to technical components, but we have received practical support from PEFC through beneficial projects and initiatives to enhance the capacity of the Vietnam Sustainable Forest Management Certification Office. All those are improving the ability to market access for Vietnamese certified products and providing a platform to encourage stakeholder engagement in sustainable forest management across the country,” added Dr. Le Van Binh.
“Vietnam is a prime example of PEFC’s unique efforts and approach, member countries working together into a strong alliance where we have experienced member countries from emerging markets. Major consumer markets such as Europe and the United States are helping new members such as Vietnam grow by providing market linkage support,” emphasized Mr. Ben Gunneberg, CEO of PEFC International.
Next step
“Vietnam’s national sustainable forest management certification system that has achieved international recognition is an outstanding achievement, and VFCS is ready for further achievements. VFCS has a target of 50,000 hectares of certified plantations by 2021 and is ready to experiment with different mechanisms to make forest certification more accessible to many small forest owners and companies in Vietnam.
Along with the expansion of certified acreage, building market confidence and acceptance of PEFC/VFCS certified products is a crucial priority for VFCS.
“Our goal is to continuously improve the National Forest Certification System regulations to ensure sustainability and strengthen market confidence in the PEFC/VFCS trademarks. VFCS is looking forward to working with other members of the PEFC Alliance for our success next year.” Dr. Bui Chinh Nghia emphasized.
The Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) is the world’s most extensive sustainable forest management certification system, certifying 320 million hectares of forest, accounting for 75% of the total certified forest area globally. PEFC currently has 55 member countries. More than 20,000 companies in 83 countries have trusted PEFC to demonstrate that their timber and timber products come from legally and sustainably managed forests.
