Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)

PEFC, the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification – PEFC, is a leading global alliance of national forest certification systems. As an international non-profit, non-governmental organization, PEFC is dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management through independent third-party certification. GCL is accredited for providing the PEFC Chain of Custody certification.

PEFC cares for forests locally and globally, working to protect them by promoting sustainable forest management through certification.

Application and Contract

You can apply online for the PEFC Certification or complete the Application form and return it to GCL International Ltd. We will use the application details to produce a quotation. Once the quotation has been accepted, we will ask you to return a signed copy of the quotation and our Scheme Rules.

Preparation for the Initial PEFC Certification Audit

The following documents are supplied prior to the initial certification:

• Copies of latest PEFC standards
• Client Self-Assessment Standard Checklist to be completed and returned
• Audit Plan
• Participating Sites list and Sub-contractor list to be submitted before the audit, if applicable

Initial certification audit

• Opening meeting
• On-site Audit
• Preparation of Audit Report (including Findings)
• Closing meeting

Following the completion of the inspection or on-site audit, a report detailing the findings is provided. Subject to the closure of any non-conformances or findings (if any), a Scope Certificate is issued. The certificate will be valid for five years with conditions as mentioned in the PEFC standard.

Usage of PEFC label

All the certified organizations need to have a PEFC label usage contract with PEFC or the PEFC National Governing bodies where present.

Surveillance or Re-certification audits

• GCL International will communicate with the client to plan for the Surveillance Audits or Recertification Audits.
• The applicant organization must inform GCL of any changes in the scope of the PEFC certificate. Changes may include a change in product, change in address, addition of sub-contractors, or addition of sites, for example. GCL will conduct a Scope Enhancement Audit for the scope changes and prepare a report. Subject to the closure of any non-conformances or findings (if any), a Scope Certificate is issued with changes in scope.
• In a certification cycle 4 surveillance audits will be conducted in during a certification cycle. A detailed audit report will be prepared by GCL. Subject to the closure of any non-conformances or findings (if any), continuation of the PEFC certificate will be recommended.
• Recertification Audits will be conducted prior to the expiry of the existing certificate. A detailed audit report will be prepared by GCL. Subject to the closure of any non-conformances or findings (if any), a new scope certificate will be issued, valid for five years.

• PEFC Standards
• PEFC Scheme Rules
• Request Operator Handbook 
• Request Fee Structure
• Link for Client Database