ACTING AS THE PEFC ESWATINI NATIONAL GOVERNING BODY OF PROGRAMME FOR ENDORSEMENT OF FOREST CERTIFICATION (PEFC) ESWATINI

Eswatini is commencing the development of a national forest certification standard. In doing so it is joining South Africa as part of a regional forest certification programme, under the banner of SAFAS (Sustainable African Forest Assurance Scheme). The scheme is open to applications from countries in the SADC region. SAFAS aims to have its regional scheme endorsed by the PEFC (Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification). PEFC is an international non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management through independent third-party certification. Founded in 1999, PEFC provides a framework for the development of national forest certification standards that are tailored to local priorities and conditions. It aims to ensure that forests are managed in a way that preserves biodiversity, benefits the lives of local people and workers, and sustains economic viability. PEFC-certified products come from forests that meet these stringent criteria, providing assurance to consumers and businesses about the sustainability of their sources.

Objectives

1. A national forest certification standard for Eswatini which will allow forest owners of all scales to achieve credible and effective forest certification.
2. Forest certification, which is appropriate to the local context, practical to implement and drives sustainable forest management practices.
3. Companies that process and trade in forest products have a certification and product labelling system that promotes responsible sourcing and facilitates market access.

Scope

The Eswatini national standard forms part of the policies and standards of the SAFAS regional certification scheme and follows the SAFAS Standard Setting Procedures (SAFAS 2 2024). The process is administered by the National Governing Body for PEFC Eswatini. SAFAS (South Africa) is providing guidance and support for the process. The review shall be based on the current SAFAS Standard for South Africa which will be adapted to the Eswatini context in a process involving experts and stakeholder engagement.

The Standard Setting Process

A summary of the steps towards the standing setting are summarised in the table below with indicative dates for achievement: (Dates are subject to change depending on circumstances.)

Stakeholders Participation

Stakeholders are invited to comment on the scope and process of developing the SAFAS Standard as described in the draft Standard Setting Procedures. These procedures are also found on the following link https://safas.org.za/safas-standards-and-policies/

Invitiation To Participate In The Working Group

Any organizations that would like to join the standard development working group can nominate representatives by sending a request to the chairperson of the working group Patience Mamba patience.mamba@montigny.co.sz who forward the requests to the National Governing Body of PEFC Eswatini for approval. The Working Groups members will represent the following categories:

• forest owners and forest managers at all scales
• business and industry, (supply chain from harvest to end user)
• non-government organizations,
• scientific and technological community,
• organizations representing the interests of workers

Please indicated which interest group your nomination or organisation will represent. These nominations will be accepted or refused based on the requirements for balanced representation of the existing technical working group. The working group must be prepared to review the Drafts of the Standard and provide technical input into the standard. This may be done by e-mail or they may be called to attend working group meetings. This is a voluntary process, and expenses will not be covered by the Eswatini National Governing Body.

Further Details also available on attached downloadable PDF below