PEFC UK Limited (Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes) Founded in 1999, the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC) is an international non-profit, non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) through independent, third party certification. It works throughout the forest supply chain to promote good practice in the forest and to ensure that timber and paper products are sourced with the respect for the highest ecological, social and ethical standards. PEFC is represented in 49 countries through national organistations. Together these account for over 313 million hectares of certified forests, making PEFC the world's largest forest certification system. It is the certification scheme of choice for small forest owners including family and community-owned forests. PEFC-certified materials are accepted by public and private sector procurement policies worldwide. More than 20,000 companies from around globe have obtained PEFC Chain of Custody certification and are therefore able to offer tens of thousands of products bearing the easily recognised "green tree" brand.