Forests provide habitats for wildlife, support communities and rural economies, store carbon and supply timber and other forest-based materials. How forests are managed affects their ability to provide these different environmental, social and economic values.
PEFC provides international benchmark requirements for sustainable forest management. National and regional forest certification systems develop standards suited to their local conditions and submit them to PEFC for assessment and endorsement.
Forest owners and managers seeking certification are independently assessed against the applicable PEFC-endorsed standard.
To understand the current state of UK forests and how they are managed sustainably, read our latest overview: The State of UK Forests: A Comprehensive Overview.
What Do PEFC-Endorsed Standards Cover?
PEFC-endorsed forest management standards include requirements relating to:
- Biodiversity and ecosystems: Requirements address biodiversity, ecologically important forest areas, forest health, water and soil.
- People and communities: Standards include requirements concerning workers’ rights, health and safety, and the rights and interests of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
- Long-term forest management: Forest managers must plan and monitor their activities, taking account of the productive, environmental and social functions of the forest.
- Forest resources: Requirements address the productive capacity of forests and the management of timber and other forest products.
Certification confirms that forest management has been independently assessed against the applicable standard. It does not guarantee a particular biodiversity, carbon or other environmental outcome at every certified site.
How does PEFC Forest Management Certification Work?
PEFC International’s Sustainable Forest Management benchmark standard, PEFC ST 1003, sets requirements against which national and regional forest certification systems are assessed.
PEFC takes a bottom-up approach, allowing standards to reflect local forests, legislation and management practices while meeting PEFC’s international benchmark requirements.
In the UK, the PEFC certification scheme is based on the UK Forestry Standard and the UK Woodland Assurance Standard. UKWAS 5 was endorsed by PEFC in 2024 and became effective for PEFC certification in the UK on 1 December 2024.
Forest management certification involves:
- Managing the forest in accordance with the applicable standard.
- Maintaining the required plans, procedures and records.
- Assessment by an independent certification body.
- Ongoing surveillance audits to verify continued conformity.
For the latest information about PEFC-certified forest area and endorsed national and regional systems, visit PEFC International’s facts and figures page.
Forestry FAQs
How much of the UK is covered by forests?
Around 13% of the UK’s land area is woodland, covering approximately 3.28 million hectares. Scotland has the highest proportion of woodland cover, followed by Wales, England and Northern Ireland.
These figures should be reviewed periodically against the latest Forestry Statistics.
Can sustainable forestry help combat climate change?
Yes. Sustainably managed forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing COâ‚‚, storing carbon in wood and soil, and providing renewable materials that replace carbon-intensive alternatives. They also help forests adapt to changing conditions.
How does the management of a small native woodland differ from a large mixed woodland?
A small native woodland is usually managed with low-intensity, habitat-focused practices such as selective thinning, coppice restoration and natural regeneration. A large mixed woodland requires more structured planning, including phased thinning, species diversification, and long-term silvicultural systems to balance commercial timber production with biodiversity, carbon storage and wider landscape benefits.
What are the benefits of certification for woodland owners?
Accredited third-party certification provides assurance of good management, strengthens market access, helps meet public and private procurement requirements and contributes to national sustainability and climate targets.
What is the relationship between forests and climate change?
Trees absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, and carbon is stored in forest biomass, soils and harvested wood products. The amount stored, and for how long, varies according to factors including forest type, age, condition, management, harvesting and the eventual use of timber.
PEFC-endorsed standards include requirements relevant to forest health, productive capacity and adaptation. Certification does not quantify or guarantee the carbon benefit of an individual forest or forest-based product.
Does PEFC certification guarantee increased biodiversity?
No specific biodiversity improvement can be guaranteed solely through certification. PEFC-endorsed standards include requirements relating to biodiversity and other environmental aspects of forest management. Certified forest management is independently assessed against those requirements.
The outcomes achieved at an individual site will depend on its characteristics, condition, management objectives and the measures implemented.
