Newsroom

Despite the introduction of the European Timber Regulation (EUTR) and increased monitoring and policing efforts, the EU remains one of the largest markets for the global trade in illegal timber. 

Myanmar teak worth 1 Million USD has been smuggled into the EU via a timber firm in Croatia, according to an investigation by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA). 

As the global appetite for wood chips and pellets receives a boost from green transitioning, critics of the biomass industry are casting doubt on its sustainability. In Ivory Coast, a small Danish company may be proving the critics wrong.

Never before has auditing been faced with such overwhelming challenges, but remote auditing, risk management and client goodwill are making it all possible.

Two months after we shifted to remote audits, our auditors reflect on the challenges they have encountered, and steps taken to address these and help develop robust remote audits for a post-pandemic new normal. 

Despite no immediate solution to the COVID-19 challenge at this time, responsible tourism players in Latin America have found ways to connect and collaborate, to support each other navigating during these tumultuous times. 

There are a number of schemes for palm oil plantation traders and processors, as well as retailers and manufacturers to demonstrate their sustainability efforts and good agricultural practices. In this article, we’…

The Friis Thaagaard family recently unveiled Villa Grenaa, the world’s first Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) certified villa. Located in the southern part of Grenaa (Grenå) in Denmark, this villa is not only made of responsibly-sourced PEFC certified timber…

In the rural communities of Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, opportunities to earn a stable living are hard to come by. This is especially true for women, who are often the primary caretaker of their families. In…

NEPCon’s 35 country offices are all at different stages on the COVID-19 curve. We asked three regional managers, how they are being impacted by the virus. 

It may never fully replace field visits, but as COVID-19 is spreading around the globe, remote auditing combined with a risk-based approach is proving invaluable, tells NEPCon Executive Director Peter Feilberg.  

The current COVID-19 outbreak is having a profound impact around the world. NEPCon is taking the situation very seriously and we are committed to taking all necessary actions in order to protect health and lives. 

Globally, March 8 officially marks International Women’s Day. We spoke with Cristina Calvo, co-founder of Asuaire Travel to understand what this day means to her and how her work creates new…

Businesses have a key role in addressing the threats to ecosystems worldwide. By joining forces, NEPCon and The Long Run will accelerate the expansion of nature conservation by the private sector and within the tourism industry.

More sustainable choices for travellers are available now on thegreenwall.com.au as the platform has now included hotels and resorts certified by NEPCon.

Only 9 per cent of all plastic waste ever produced has been recycled. The plastic waste problem, especially packaging waste – must be addressed for a more sustainable future. Tetra Pak is moving towards a…

PEOPLE OF NEPCON. The demand for certification will not disappear sometime soon. Luckily, there is a market for quality services, says Michael Jakobsen, NEPCon Regional Director for Western Europe.

Ukraine’s timber industry is marred by illegal logging, bark beetles and corruption. While FSC certificates have been booming in an effort by the forest industry to increase sales to the EU, a fundamental flaw in the auditing system leaves a door wide open for fraud. 

The Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP) was initially developed and governed by energy companies with an interest in using woody biomass to replace coal and gas. Earlier this year, SBP changed its governance structure and transitioned into a multi-stakeholder led organisation that…

Viscose is a natural-based material made from the cellulose derived from wood pulp but is produced from a chemical-laden process. Recently, it is starting to gain popularity in response to the demand for natural…