Basic introduction

　　Forest certification, also known as certification of sustainable forest management, is a tool to promote sustainable forest management by using market mechanism. It is referred to forest certification, timber certification or collectively referred to as certification. Forest certification includes two basic contents: forest management certification and chain of custody certification. Forest management certification is based on a series of principles, standards and indicators, in accordance with the prescribed and recognized procedures of forest management performance certification, and  chain of custody certification is the certification of all production links of wood processing enterprises, that is, the whole chain from log transportation, processing, circulation to final consumers. The reason why forest certification is carried out by an independent third party is to ensure the impartiality and transparency of forest certification.

　　At present, China's forest certification covers forest management certification, chain of custody certification, non-timber forest product certification, bamboo forest certification, forest ecological environment service certification, production and operation rare and endangered species certification, carbon converging forest certification and forest fire prevention certification. Through capacity-building and demonstration and promotion activities, more and more people with insight who care about the environment and pay attention to forests have participated in the forest certification to jointly practice the concept of sustainable development and share the benefits of forest certification.

Standard features

　　At present, China's forest certification system is carrying out international mutual recognition with PEFC system. It is undoubtedly very helpful to realize international mutual recognition by referring to PEFC production and marketing chain of custody certification standards as far as possible. The certification requirements of the production and marketing chain of supervision in this standard have been greatly changed in terms of the overall structure and standard content.

　　Forest certification is an effective means to regulate forest management activities, improve forest management level, improve forest quality, enhance forest ecosystem service function, and promote the international market access of China's forest products and the development of forestry industry. It provides a new mechanism for the reform of forest ecological resources supervision system by the government and the society, which will effectively promote the transition from the direct supervision and management of the government to the joint supervision and management of the government and the society. Wang Huanliang, Director of Science and Technology Development of the State Forestry Administration, said that forest certification has played a positive and even crucial role in promoting regional or national economic development, forest resource protection and industrial development.

China Forest Certification Council (CFCC) is the supreme authority for China's forest certification. It is consisted of members from the government, research institutions, universities and colleges, manufacturers and social organizations. Its major responsibilities are: 

(1) To organize the drafting, review and release of China's forest certification system documents;

(2) To operate and manage China's forest certification system;

(3) To arbitrate the disputes, complaints and appeals about China's forest certification system;

(4) To promote and publicize China's forest certification system;

(5) And to participate in international communications and cooperation on the behalf of China's forest certification system.

The procedure for using the auditing mark of CFCC:

Article 1 Any certification body who carries out China's forest certification activities and uses the mark of China's forest certification shall be agreed by CFCC. 

Article 2 A certification body can apply for the use of the mark of China's forest certification from CFCC when it meets the following conditions:

(I) Having the approval document by CNAS;

(II) Having an effective license;

(III) Having the qualification certificate accredited by CNCA;

(IV) Having at least five full-time auditors. 　　

Article 3 CFCC follows the following audit procedure to approve or disapprove the use of the mark:

Submit the application -- Organize the appraisal -- Approve and sign the agreement　　

Article 4 A certification body who is approved to use the mark shall sign the Certification Body Mark Use Agreement with CFCC.  

Significance of implementation

　　Through the transformation to national standards, it will enhance the implementation scope of forest certification in China, provide technical requirements and evaluation standards for sustainable forest management in China, which is of great significance to promote sustainable forest management and protect China's export market of forest products.