CSQA CERTIFIES THE SMALLEST FOREST AREA IN THE WORLD
The forest area certified by the PEFC-Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes, by CSQA, a leading national body in the certification sector, is equal to just 7 hectares. It is the smallest certified land in the world.
The "Wood Enhancement Group of the Small Dolomites" has obtained from CSQA the certification for Sustainable Forest Management according to the PEFC scheme. The certification of this Group (with the woods grown on the Vicenza Prealpine chain) adds to the 27 already existing corresponding to over 824,000 hectares , equivalent to the surface of all of Umbria.
The relevance of this new certification is linked to the strategic nature of the territory for two fundamental factors:
- from this area valuable maple, linden, ash and chestnut wood will be obtained for the local market forced, until now, to procure certified material from the foreign market;
- it is an example of valorisation and correct management of the territory, which could take the form of a driving force for other similar realities.
The project was financed by the entrepreneurial world and, in particular, by a group of companies belonging to the "Consorzio Legno Veneto" and led by Montagna Flli srl of Montecchio Maggiore (Vi) and by Profilegno srl of Quinto Vicentino (Vi). The latter has already distinguished itself in the past for its activity of enhancing the local chestnut in the renovation of the wooden flooring of Villa Thiene in Quinto Vicentino. (Source: www.pefc.it )
PEFC-Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes
PEFC is a Forest Certification based on compliance with the criteria and indicators defined in the Ministerial Conferences for the Protection of Forests in Europe (Helsinki 1993, Lisbon 1998). Among the objectives: to conserve the forest as a habitat for animals and plants, to maintain the protective function of forests against water, soil and the climate, to protect biodiversity, to verify the origin of woody raw materials, to ensure that the plants are cut while respecting the natural growth rate of the forest and that the areas are reforested or regenerated and renewed naturally, to protect the rights and health of workers, to encourage short supply chains and to guarantee the rights of indigenous peoples and forest owners.
The PEFC scheme certifies the entire wood supply chain
In the production phase, CSQA certifies with the GFS-Gestione Forestale Sostenibile (Sustainably Managed Forest) scheme and evaluates the management and use of forests and forest land with a view to sustainable development.
In the product transformation phase, the institution takes care of certifying according to the CoC scheme - Chain of Custody. It is necessary to guarantee the traceability of the certified wood raw material within the transformation process and to keep the origin from certified forests unequivocal.
CSQA, in addition to the PEFC accreditation, has obtained the ACCREDIA accreditation both for Sustainable Forest Management and for the PEFC Chain of Custody.
“ PEFC - said Pietro Bonato , Director General and CEO of CSQA - is a guarantee that the wood raw material, used for paper and wood products, derives from forests managed in a sustainable manner and certified according to specific principles. We hope that this certification will be increasingly widespread because using the PEFC mark on certified products, both for GFS - Sustainable Forest Management and for CoC - Chain of Custody, means acquiring greater visibility and credibility, with consequent access to international markets".
“This, which represents the smallest certified area in the world, is an excellence that must also be highlighted for another situation - commented Antonio Brunori , Secretary General of PEFC Italy - and that is for the will of local entrepreneurs to give added value to the natural resources of their territory, instead of looking for it in other countries, sometimes thousands of kilometers away. Investing to promote short supply chains, reducing pollution and increasing the added value and protection of local forests is a virtuous example of a circular economy that does credit to these entrepreneurs in the wood sector. And given that it is certified wood for the sustainable management of the forests of origin, there are all the guarantees to promote green purchasing policies by the Public Administrations of the Veneto, implementing the European directives on GPP, too often disregarded even at a national level".