Ibá member companies have certifications which serve as a tool that demonstrates to their clients and customers that their products come from sustainable origins and responsible forest management.
These certifications encourage continuous improvement in production processes and efficiency in forest and industrial activities, while at the same time reducing potential impacts and maximizing environmental and social benefits.
How does it work?
Certification is obtained through independent external auditing conducted by certifying bodies that assess all stages ranging from seedling production, planting, and harvesting to the factory, and conduct assessments related to impacts on the environment and the surrounding communities, worker health and safety, and compliance with municipal, state, and federal legislation.
There are two forest certification systems: Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) and the National Program for Forest Certification (CERFLOR), endorsed by the International Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Systems (PEFC).
Ibá and certification systems
Brazilian planted tree industry has 7.4 million hectares certified for the modality of forest management through internationally recognized certification standards. The chain of custody can also be certified.
Ibá is a member of FSC at the national and international levels, and is part of the CERFLOR/PEFC Technical Committees, taking an active role in developing domestic and international forest certification. Furthermore, through the International Council on Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA), Ibá participates in International Organization for Standardization (ISO) working groups, and participated in the development of the Chain of Custody standard for forest products (ISO 38200).
The association believes in joint initiatives between companies, research institutes, and civil society organizations to discuss and pursue the development of certification systems to ensure that they fulfill the three pillars of sustainability in a balanced way. In other words, certification must be an instrument that economically facilitates investment, is socially fair, and is environmentally responsible.
Ibá’s main areas of interest with regard to certification systems include management of defenses to control pests and diseases in the forests, tree biotechnology, certification of small producers, controlled wood, and the role of certified plantations in supplying demand for fiber, wood, and energy.