The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC UK), has announced that its Annual Stakeholder Day will take place in London on Tuesday, 05 July. This year's theme will be Market Drivers for Certified Products with speakers highlighting the market-based initiatives that are driving demand for certified products, sustainable forest management and the global role PEFC plays in developing certified forests.

The keynote speaker will be Ignacio Gavilan, Director of Sustainability for the influential global industry group, the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF). The CGF brings together more than 400 retailers, manufacturers and service providers, including major brands such as Coca Cola, Johnson & Johnson, Kellogg's, L'Oreal, Nestle, P&G, Tesco and Asda-WalMart. Gavilan leads the CGF's Sustainability team, which aims to position the consumer goods industry as a leader in protection against climate change and reducing waste. Ignacio will speak on: 'Zero Net Deforestation by 2020', and the importance of sourcing pulp, paper and packaging responsibly. CGF recognises the role that forest certification schemes such as PEFC's can play in providing companies with verification of legality and providing a low risk of controversial sources.


Other speakers will include Martyn White of the John Lewis Partnership, who will provide a retail perspective on managing risk and enhancing brand value through responsible sourcing plus Steve Cook of Willmott Dixon, who will highlight what the UK construction sector is doing to ensure the timber it sources comes from well-managed forests. Riikka Joukio of Metsäboard and the WBCSD Forest Solutions Group, will urge the packaging sector and its customers to actively support sustainable forest management certification. PEFC International's Sarah Price will complete the speaker line up, delivering an update on PEFC's work to grow certified forests to meet customer demand.

The afternoon will conclude with a Q&A discussion session followed by a networking drinks reception. PEFC UK Chairman, Ross Bradshaw said: "More and more companies from SMEs to global brands are keen to demonstrate that the forest products they use come from certified sustainable sources. Consumers are increasingly conscious of the impact of their purchasing decisions and we hope those joining us for this year's stakeholder event will gain a better understanding of the role market-based initiatives play in helping to secure a healthy future for the world's forests."

The event will be sponsored by AB Group Packaging and leading certification body CATG (Certification & Timber Grading).

AB Group Managing Director, Dermot Brady commented: "We are proud to partner once again with the world's largest forest certification programme. As a company we are committed to using certified materials for the carrier bags we produce for high street retailers and recognise the assurances a certification label such as PEFC's brings." Glen Sharples, Managing Director of CATG, added: "CATG is delighted to support this important event. As one of the UK's leading certification bodies providing Chain of Custody certification services for those trading in forest products, our clients understand that being able to provide assurances of responsible sourcing is vital to their customers."

(Image: Steve Cook, Willmott Dixon)

www.pefc.co.uk

(LM/MH)