On the 12th June 2025, industry professionals gathered at Beyond the Trees, Avondale, in the heart of County Wicklow for a dedicated one-day workshop exploring the expanding opportunity for homegrown PEFC-certified timber in Ireland and the UK. Hosted jointly by PEFC Ireland and PEFC UK, the event brought together stakeholders from across forestry, manufacturing, construction, and sustainability to share insights, challenges, and opportunities in certified timber sourcing.
With growing demand for responsibly sourced materials and the PEFC-certified forest area in Ireland now exceeding that covered by FSC by 18000 hectares, the event offered a timely platform to explore the market potential of homegrown timber and the evolving role of certification, in particular PEFC, in meeting regulatory and ESG goals.
Exploring the Certification Landscape
The day began with an overview of the current position of PEFC certification in both Ireland and the UK. William Merivale (PEFC Ireland) and John Kirkby (PEFC UK) highlighted positive market trends, including increasing UK demand for PEFC-certified products and growing uptake of PEFC-only forest management certification among private woodland owners and managers in Ireland.
A lively panel discussion chaired by William Merivale tackled the question: “Why is Certification Important?” Contributions from Holly Waters-Marsh (Urban Fox Marketing), Juan Morillas (John Sisk & Son), and Paddy Purser (Purser Tarleton Russell) emphasised the value of PEFC certification in achieving ESG objectives and ensuring responsible procurement in construction.
Understanding the Differences
Delegates benefited from a practical comparison of PEFC and FSC certification schemes, led by Sam Shaw (Soil Association Certification). This session helped clarify key similarities, differences, and the implications for businesses weighing up certification options. Click here to read the full article on the differences and similarities between PEFC and FSC.
Perspectives from the Field
The workshop offered valuable insight into the public and private forestry sectors. Philip O’Dea (Coillte) provided an update on challenges in Ireland’s public forests and how PEFC certification is at the core of their operations that are aimed at maintaining and enhancing the productive, environmental and social benefits of the national forests. This was followed by a panel discussion chaired by John Kirkby with Paddy Purser (Purser Tarleton Russell), Daragh Little (Veon) and John Roche (Arbor Forest Management) which explored why private landowners are increasingly turning to PEFC-only forest management certification.
Afternoon sessions featured compelling case studies from businesses that have adopted PEFC certification, including Morgan’s Timber, Irish Distillers, and Travis Perkins. Their stories demonstrated how certification helps strengthen market positioning, streamline compliance, and support sustainability goals.
EUDR and RED III, Preparing for What’s Next
A critical update was provided by Rob Shaw (PEFC International) on how PEFC is aligning with upcoming regulatory requirements, including the EU Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR) and the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II/III).
Tracey Reeve (PEFC UK) closed the day with an introduction to PEFC International’s ‘Raising the Bar’ campaign. The aim is to reframe certification from something technical to something tangible, designed to bring certification to life through real stories from real people. See this video featuring Megan Parker, a forest planner from Scottish Woodlands speaking about the benefits of PEFC certification.
Collaboration and Momentum
The workshop concluded with closing remarks from William Merivale and John Kirkby, who reiterated the importance of collaboration in growing the market for PEFC-certified timber.
For any further information, please contact William Merivale or John Kirkby.