Applying for a PEFC forest certificate

Forest owners can get the PEFC forest management certificate by applying through regional group certification or directly for their own forest.  On the other hand, all PEFC Finland forest management certificates are regional group certificates.

Regional group certification is applied for by the regional forest owners union. If the forest owner belongs to the union or a member organization – the forest owners association – they will be informed automatically about becoming certified. If the owner does not want to be certified, they can opt out by informing the forest owners union.

Forest owners who do not belong to the union can join the group certification by announcing there wish to the union.

If the forest owner wants a certificate specifically for their own forest, they should apply through an approved certifying body.

The certificate is granted, both to individuals and group applicants, subject to passing a verification audit by the certifying body which checks that the applicant's forest management fulfils the requirements of the standard.

Forest management certification will cost the applicant.