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Being part of PEFC offers Canadian organizations certified to the endorsed Forest Management standards and their downstream customers the opportunity to use the PEFC International Chain of Custody standard and the PEFC Trademarks. PEFC Chain of Custody certification, together with the PEFC on-product label, provides an assurance that wood and paper products are sourced from responsibly managed forests. PEFC certification and the PEFC labels are recognized internationally, which is beneficial for Canadian producers to access global export markets.
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It is with a heavy heart that we announce the sad news that our dear friend and colleague, John Dunford, passed away on October 26th, 2023. John was part of the small team that started PEFC Canada 15 years ago, and he was always a tireless and passionate leader. John served as Director and Chair of PEFC Canada, as well as representing PEFC Canada internationally on several boards and working groups. John cared very much about his work with PEFC Canada and the people involved. He will be sorely missed both professionally and as a friend. This is a huge loss to all of us. Please feel free to share your condolences to info@pefccanada.org which will be passed along to his family.
Visit Kamloops Funeral Home - John Dunford
In 2008, PEFC Canada was incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act and applied to PEFC International to become the PEFC National Governing Body for Canada, effective January 21, 2009.
Canada originally joined the PEFC alliance in 2001 with Canadian Standards Association (CSA) International, part of the CSA International Group which developed the National Standard of Canada Sustainable Forest Management (CAN CSA Z809). This Forest Management standard was first published in 1996, with CSA Group acting as the National Governing Body. The role of a National Governing Body was outside of CSA International’s normal business and so a new organization had to be created to assume that role.
The initial Technical Committee for the development of a standard for sustainable forest management was established in 1994, based on the concept of multi-stakeholder participation. The basis of the standard is the Criteria and Indicators of sustainable forest management in Canada published by Canada’s Forest Ministers in response to the Rio de Janeiro Environment and Development conference in 1992 Statement of Forest Principles. A key concept of the standard is the use of adaptive management procedures that recognize sustainable forest management as a dynamic process that incorporates new knowledge acquired through time, experience, and research, and that also evolves with society’s changing environmental, cultural, social and economic values. The Z809 standard was revised in 2022, 2008, 2016 and reaffirmed in 2021.
The first Canadian Forest Management standard was endorsed by PEFC March 22, 2005. Since that time, several standard revisions were made, including re-endorsement on June 29, 2011, March 29, 2018 and April 18, 2025.
The Technical Committee develops and maintains the PEFC Canada Forest Management Standard and related documents.
PEFC Canada wishes to express our gratitude to the Technical Committee members, past and present. Their valuable contributions make it possible to incorporate a broad range of perspectives into the Forest Management Standard and strengthen the implementation of responsible forest management in Canada.
PEFC Canada would like to acknowledge Jane Cameron's long-standing membership in her local Public Advisory Group in Powell River and the PEFC Canada Technical Committee. Jane’s contributions to advocating sustainable forestry in her community for many years are greatly appreciated. PEFC Canada, in cooperation with Western Forest Products, has set up a scholarship in her name at the local high school for future forestry students. Thank you, Jane.
The PEFC Canada Technical Committee's primary purpose is developing, reviewing, and revising the standard(s) and guidelines related to the Forest Management Standard. The scope includes systems for all types of forest organizations in Canada, both the public and private sectors. Standards are consistent with the relevant PEFC International benchmark standards and guidelines.
The Technical Committee is broad-based and includes groups with multiple perspectives and interests, including representatives from forestry academia and research, forest companies, non-government organizations, consumer groups, workers and trade unions, Indigenous communities, scientific and technological community, public advisory group members, and government.
If you are interested in participating, please contact us at info@pefccanada.org.