Defra launches call for evidence for review of forest certification schemes

Article summary

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched a call for evidence as part of its review to assess whether three forest certification schemes—Grown in Britain, Forest Stewardship Council, and the Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification—meet the Category A evidence criteria under the UK Timber Procurement Policy (TPP). Stakeholders are invited to submit evidence on these certification schemes’ compliance to inform Defra's review. The call for evidence closes on 30 March 2025. Additionally, Defra has published guidance on the criteria used to evaluate forest certification schemes approved as 'Category A evidence’, for compliance with the TPP. These criteria are used to determine whether a scheme provides evidence of meeting the requirements for legal and sustainable timber sources. Defra has also published guidance on the methodology it will use to assess certification schemes as part of its review.