Bulgaria has become the latest member to achieve PEFC endorsement of its national forest certification system. The PEFC General Assembly voted for the endorsement of the Bulgarian system in a postal ballot.
“We are very grateful to our friends from the other members of PEFC who, through their vote, have endorsed the Bulgarian standard,” said Antony Stefanov, Chairman of the Council for Sustainable Forest Management and Certification in Bulgaria, PEFC member for Bulgaria.
“We have already given first trainings to inform about the advantages of the Bulgarian system. By the end of the year, we will conduct trainings for auditors and other stakeholders around the country,” Mr. Stefanov continued.
To achieve PEFC endorsement, a national system goes through a rigorous assessment to confirm it was developed in line with our requirements. Through the endorsement, the Bulgarian system becomes part of the PEFC umbrella. From now on, forest-based products certified to the Bulgarian national system can be sold as PEFC-certified anywhere in the world.
Bulgaria joined the PEFC alliance as a national member in May 2017. Forests play an important societal and economic role in this region. More than half the population lives in rural areas and forests are a significant source of income, jobs and resources.
