The new PEFC certification standard maintains adherence to the established principles of sustainable development certification, ensuring consistency with the framework that has guided forest certification for many years. This continuity provides stability and reliability, as the standard does not introduce fundamental changes to the certification process. Forest managers, owners, and industry stakeholders can continue to rely on this established framework that guarantees credibility and international recognition. This continuity preserves stakeholder confidence in the system, while maintaining the transparency and rigor that certification has always embodied. At the same time, the revised standard constitutes a significant evolution. It strengthens the certification framework by placing increased emphasis on the multifunctionality of forests, recognizing the diverse ecological, social, and economic benefits that forests provide. Beyond wood production, forests serve essential functions in maintaining biodiversity, protecting water resources, regulating soil quality, and making substantial contributions to climate change mitigation through carbon storage. They also offer spaces for recreation, cultural value, and community well-being, rendering them indispensable to society. By explicitly integrating these multiple functions into the certification requirements, the new PEFC standard reflects a more holistic understanding of forests as complex ecosystems. This shift ensures that certification remains relevant in addressing current environmental and societal challenges, while aligning with the expectations of citizens, consumers, and stakeholders worldwide. Thus, the standard balances continuity, stability, and progress, reinforcing its role as a reliable instrument for sustainable forest management.
Fauque et al. (Tue,) studied this question.