The Pan African Forest Certification (PAFC) Congo Basin Regional Initiative is a collaboration among several national member organisations from Africa that are part of the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) Alliance. This alliance aims to establish a distinct regional approach to certifying sustainable forest management in the Congo Basin. PAFC Gabon, PAFC Cameroon, and PAFC Congo have all committed to the initiative, promoting sustainable forest management and ensuring traceability of timber from the forest to the final product.
Developing a certification scheme for sustainable forest management in this exceptional region addresses current needs while preserving the ecosystem and biodiversity for future generations. The organisations involved in the Congo Basin PAFC believe sustainable forest management is essential for fostering a robust forest economy in producing countries. Certification in sustainable forest management aids in combating deforestation, preserving biodiversity, and meeting the needs of local communities.
The initiative established a regional certification scheme for sustainable forest management, PAFC Congo Basin. Developed by local stakeholders, this scheme is based on the international criteria and requirements set out by the PEFC Council. Consequently, the PAFC Congo Basin certification scheme is globally recognised.
Start your certification journey by completing our service request form or contacting us directly. Our experts will guide you through the scope of certification that best suits your company’s set-up and needs. The process outlined below details the PAFC Certification procedure:
Step 1. Application Process
Contact Preferred by Nature to express your interest and initiate the certification process. We will provide you with an overview of the PAFC Congo Basin Forest Management Standard and its national interpretation guides to gain a better understanding of forest management certification. Meeting the requirements outlined in the document is essential for certification.
Step 2. Audit
Undergo a comprehensive audit of forest management practices and chain of custody systems in alignment with the PAFC Congo Basin standard. All necessary documentation regarding your scheme should be submitted in advance. Our auditors will carry out a site visit to evaluate your concession.
Step 3. Earning Certificate
Receive a certification decision based on the audit findings. Upon a positive certification decision, your certificate will be issued. The certificate is granted for a maximum period of five years.
Step 4. Surveillance Audits
To maintain your certification status, you must participate in annual surveillance audits.
Step 5. Re-certification
You must complete a new certification audit to renew your current certificate before it expires.
Complaints and resolutions
If a complaint is raised about our certification services or one of our clients, we handle this in accordance with our Dispute Resolution Policy.
The PAFC Congo Basin certification applies to forest owners, operators, and companies engaged in the forest supply chain who wish to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable forest management.
There are two certification options under the PAFC Congo Basin scheme: Forest Management (FM) and Chain of Custody (CoC). Preferred by Nature offers only FM certification under this scheme, as we are already accredited to provide PEFC Chain of Custody certification.
Wood processing companies in the Congo Basin can apply for PEFC CoC certification to sell PAFC-certified material and ensure traceability through the supply chain.
Sustainable Forest Management Certification
Sustainable Forest Management certification attests to compliance with forest management's environmental, social, and economic functions. It ensures that all stakeholders in the forest, such as owners, loggers, and forest contractors, meet requirements. The PAFC Congo Basin Sustainable Forest Management Standard is recognised by the PEFC Council, which allows timber from certified forests to enter the PEFC chain of custody.
The PAFC Congo Basin Sustainable Forest Management Standard, endorsed by PEFC in 2021, promotes responsible forest management and ensures timber traceability across Gabon, Cameroon, and the Republic of Congo. You can access the standard here:
An infosheet covering information on the Pan African Forest Certification Congo Basin- Sustainable Forest Management certification.
An infosheet covering information on the Pan African Forest Certification Congo Basin- Sustainable Forest Management certification.
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How the Preferred by Nature Sustainability Framework Certification scheme is governed
The Preferred by Nature Sustainability Framework Certification (PBN SFC) scheme operates under a governance system designed to support transparency, impartiality, accountability and stakeholder participation.
The system defines how the scheme is managed, how standards and procedures are developed and revised, and how certification activities are independently assessed and overseen.
The scheme owner and the certification body are separate legal entities, with different staff, reporting lines and responsibilities. The scheme is owned by Preferred by Nature F.M.B.A. in Denmark, while certification is carried out by Preferred by Nature OÜ in Estonia, which holds the accreditation under which all certification activities are performed and takes certification decisions independently. Both entities sit within the Preferred by Nature organisational umbrella.
The scheme's governance structure also includes internal decision-making bodies, external stakeholder representation and mechanisms for stakeholder engagement and dispute resolution.
Scheme governance documents
The following documents describe the governance structure, procedures and requirements supporting the operation and integrity of the PBN SFC scheme.
Governance structure, roles and responsibilities
Explains how the PBN SFC scheme is governed, including the responsibilities of its governance bodies, decision-making processes, stakeholder participation and dispute handling.
Describes how PBN SFC standards are developed, reviewed and revised, including stakeholder consultations, approval processes and transition arrangements.
Sets out the procedures for developing, reviewing, approving and publishing scheme documents other than normative standards, including governance procedures and supporting documents.
Defines the requirements for accreditation bodies overseeing certification bodies operating under Preferred by Nature Sustainability Framework Certification, including competence, impartiality, information sharing and cooperation with the scheme owner.
Establishes the requirements for certification bodies conducting PBN SFC audits and certification activities, including auditor competence, certification decisions, surveillance, impartiality and quality assurance.
