FORCERT qualifies Control Wood Certification
Forest Management & Product Certification Service Limited (FORCERT) qualifies and is awaiting its third issue of Control Wood and Chain of Custody certificates for members in the scheme who have attained the status of pre-certification this year. This certification would mean the members entitled will qualify to harvest and sell timber from their land within the established market for better prices having harvested in compliance and within the ambits of law in this Country.
FORCERT a not for profit company promoting sustainable forest management in Papua New Guinea through providing certification and marketing services of forest products for local small-scale producers and timber yards had first attained these certificates from the international body Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) in 2005 which expired last year.
In March 2010 after assessment by an independent Certifier, Woodmark, FORCERT is approved and is now ready to get its third certificate for Control Wood under FSC. Currently reassessment has been completed for a reissue as the two certificates which allow for FORCERT and the members in the FORCERT scheme to qualify for premium prices for the timber they produce and sell. These certificates are yet to be received as the Certifier has imposed corrective action requests (CARs) for FORCERT to comply with in order to qualify for a re-issue. Requirements for the Chain of Custody certificate has been met and the certificate is ready to be issued, however FORCERT is yet to submit evidence to close out major corrective action requests for Control Wood and Forest Management, therefore the delay . Both certificates will be valid for duration of five years after being issued.
FORCERT has members in the Momase and New Guinea Islands regions and is working with almost 7,000 people directly and 30,000 people indirectly in East and West New Britain, East Sepik, Madang, Morobe and New Ireland Provinces.
“FORCERT is confident that they will qualify for the certificates as it is a matter of collecting the appropriate data required and if it is not available, having in place an internal system that proves that the particular corrective action request given will be addressed adequately and effectively communicating that information to the Certifier,” Mr. Makamet, FORCERT’s Manager stated.
