Northwest Hardwoods’ Western Operations Earn PEFC Chain-of-Custody Certification

Sustainability standard key to meet customer demand, further expand into global markets

TACOMA, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Northwest Hardwoods’ western hardwood operations have achieved Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) Chain-of-Custody Certification, one of the highest standards of ethics and sustainability in forest products.

“Further, PEFC certification essentially has become a de facto requirement to participate in European forest product markets, so this is crucial to our efforts to expand fine-grained Alder to major European markets”

Northwest Hardwoods Vice President of Sales and Marketing David Weyerhaeuser noted that PEFC’s focus on inclusiveness in recognizing qualified certification standards around the world gives PEFC unequaled respect in the area of sustainable forestry.

“We embrace the idea that sustainability makes good sense from a business and corporate responsibility perspective — it’s a path we’ve been on for years — but certification to the highest globally recognized standard helps us meet customer demand for certified products in furniture, cabinet, millwork and flooring markets around the world,” Weyerhaeuser said.

“Further, PEFC certification essentially has become a de facto requirement to participate in European forest product markets, so this is crucial to our efforts to expand fine-grained Alder to major European markets,” added Weyerhaeuser.

Geneva-based PEFC is the world's largest forest certification system, establishing standards that transform the way forests are managed, with the goal of ensuring a broad range of environmental, social and economic benefits.

For Northwest Hardwoods, the process of gaining PEFC certification involved a six-month process of detailed documentation and independent third-party review to verify compliance with PEFC ecological, social and ethical standards addressing practices from forest management through saw milling.

Northwest Hardwoods can provide certified Alder, Pacific Coast Maple, Birch, Ash and Hemlock from its five western US facilities.

This is the latest validation of Northwest Hardwoods’ commitment to sustainable practices. PEFC chain-of-custody certification assures the buyer that the lumber comes from logs sourced from forestlands certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI®), The American Tree Farm (ATF), the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and PEFC.

Founded in 1967, Northwest Hardwoods specializes in producing hardwood lumber from all commercial species, including Alder, Ash, Red and White Oak, Hard and Soft Maple, Cherry and Walnut. Today, the company is one of the largest hardwood lumber producers in the United States, and serves customers worldwide.