Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

1. What is forest certification?
Answer: Forest certification is one initiative to support producer and buyers that highly committed in achieving responsible forest management. The company will need to through several assessments and audits before attaining the certificate.

2. Does the certification vary?
Answer: Yes. There are two types of certification In Indonesia. One is international certification released by FSC. Second is national initiative certification released by LEI (Indonesian Ecolabeling Institute).

3. What is FSC?
Answer: FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) is an international non-profit organization, established in 1993. FSC objective is to promote responsible forest management through standard setting, independent certification and forest product label.

4. What is forest product label?
Answer: Forest product (i.e. timber) sourcing from responsible forest management will be labeled by the FSC logo. The on-product logo only applied to certified forest or company.

5. Why forest certification?
Answer: Forest certification offers an alternative for highly committed companies in achieving responsible forest management. In addition, forest certification is giving choices for customers around the world to buy products sourcing from reliable forest.

6. How long does it take to achieve certification?
Answer: 5 years or less. It depends on company’s commitment.

7. How WWF-GFTN support company or forest concession in achieving certification?
Answer: WWF-GFTN give non-technical assistance and giving guidance for company or forest concession that have high commitment in achieving responsible forest management.

8. What is/are the target of the program?
Answer: Global Forest and Trade Network (GFTN) is an initiative to eliminate illegal logging by creating trade network between companies around the world that have high commitment in supporting and achieving responsible forest management. Through this network, world’s forest will be well-conserved. In addition, GFTN also offer social economy benefit for business player and forest dependant people.

9. Where does the GFTN work?
Answer: The GFTN works in 30 countries around the world such as Australia, China, Japan, French, Austria, North America, German, Congo, Bulgaria, Spain, Indonesia, Bolivia, Sweden and Peru.

10. How to join the GFTN?
Answer: The GFTN is open to companies, community and organization that have significant impact to endangered forest. To join GFTN, you can contact your local/regional GFTN team near/in your country or simply send email to gftn@wwf.panda.org.

11. What is the link between GFTN and Heart of Borneo?
Answer: Heart of Borneo is one of the WWF initiatives to conserve Borneo area. The areas include Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam. GFTN support companies or forest concession in/at the adjacent of Heart of Borneo area in achieving certification.