Forest certification is a process that evaluates the quality of forest management from environmental, social, and economic perspectives. This evaluation is done against a set of agreed-upon standards. The process leads to the issuance of a certificate by an independent party, which verifies that a forest area is managed to a defined standard. The forest certification process consists of two separate processes, forest management unit certification (FMU) and chain of custody certification (COC).

Forest Management Unit Certification (FMU)

The FMU certification verifies that an area of forest/plantations from where the wood, fiber, and other non-timber forest products are extracted is managed to a defined standard. The FMU certification process includes an evaluation of the forest management plan, the management system, and the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the forest management practices.

Chain of Custody Certification (COC)

The COC certification is a process of tracking forest products from the certified forest to the point of sale to ensure that the product originated from a certified forest. The COC certification process includes an evaluation of the tracking and recording system used by the forest product supply chain.

Standards of Forest Certification

There are two major standards of forest certification, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certifications (PEFC). Both FSC and PEFC operate in India, but the government is also working on its own national standards.

Forest Certification in India

The forest certification industry has been operating in India for the last 15 years. Currently, forests in only one state, Uttar Pradesh, are certified. The standards have been developed by the New Delhi-based nonprofit Network for Certification and Conservation of Forests (NCCF). The NCCF was set up in 2015 by representatives of forest-based industries, non-profits, forest auditors, and government forest departments. Its aim is to set standards for certifying India’s forests, their products, and their sustainable management.

India-Specific Standards

India allows the export of only processed wood, not timber. This is because the timber harvested from Indian forests is not enough to meet the domestic demand. India’s forests contribute just about five million cubic meters of wood every year. Almost 85 percent of the demand for wood and wood products is met by trees outside forests (ToF). About 10 percent is imported. New certification standards are being developed for sustainable management of ToF.

MCQs on Forest Certification in India: Current Status and Future Prospects

  1. What is the purpose of forest certification?
    A. To promote deforestation
    B. To monitor, trace, and label forest products
    C. To harm the environment
    D. To increase illegal logging
    Correct Answer: B. To monitor, trace, and label forest products
    Explanation: Forest certification is a mechanism for monitoring, tracing, and labeling timber, wood, and pulp products and non-timber forest products where the quality of management from environmental, social, and economic perspectives is judged against a series of agreed standards.
  2. Which two separate processes are involved in forest certification?
    A. Forest fire monitoring and deforestation assessment
    B. Forest protection and conservation plan
    C. Forest management unit certification and chain of custody certification
    D. Forest restoration and wildlife conservation plan
    Correct Answer: C. Forest management unit certification and chain of custody certification
    Explanation: Forest certification refers to two separate processes: forest management unit certification (FMU) and chain of custody certification (COC). FMU certification verifies that an area of forest or plantations from where the wood, fiber, and other non-timber forest products are extracted is managed to a defined standard, while COC certification tracks forest products from the certified forest to the point of sale to ensure that the product originated from a certified forest.
  3. Which two major standards are used in forest certification?
    A. Forest Conservation Council and Plantation Endorsement for Forest Certifications
    B. Forest Stewardship Council and Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certifications
    C. Forest Protection Council and Endorsement for Forest Stewardship
    D. Forest Management Council and Plantation Stewardship for Forest Certifications
    Correct Answer: B. Forest Stewardship Council and Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certifications
    Explanation: There are two major standards in forest certification: one developed by Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the other by Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certifications (PEFC). Both operate in India, but the government is also working on its own national standards.
  4. Which state in India currently has certified forests?
    A. Maharashtra
    B. Uttar Pradesh
    C. Karnataka
    D. Tamil Nadu
    Correct Answer: B. Uttar Pradesh
    Explanation: Currently, forests in only one state, Uttar Pradesh, are certified. The standards have been developed by the New Delhi-based nonprofit Network for Certification and Conservation of Forests (NCCF).

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