Forest product trade and certification: an Indonesia scheme

The certification system developed by Indonesia comprises three stages, encompassing pre-field assessment, field assessment, and post field evaluation. It assesses unit management through a multi-criterion based decision that is represented by management dimension and outcome dimension. With AHP methodology, the certification process will result in composite values of ideal proportion and actual proportion of forest management achievement, the ratio of which is used as a reference to the certification level granted to unit management. The result of the certification process provides guidelines for the management unit to improve its forest management practices. The scheme also renders inputs to improve government's regulations or policies that enables sustainable forest management to become more effective. With these inputs, the scheme is expected to be embraced favourably by both management and the government. Sustainable forest management practices which will maintain forest function are the objective of the Indonesian ecolabelling initiative. The developed scheme will not only encourage sustainable forest management, but also provide forest managers with strategies they should pursue in order to improve their forest practices in a sustainable manner. The scheme is to be implemented gradually during 1997-2000, combined with the building capacity efforts of assessors and prospective members of panels. Ecolabelling is not conceived as a mere justification of timber trade resulting from unsustainably managed forests, but rather it should serve its higher purpose to encourage sustainable management of forests that will sustain the benefits of the invaluable resource for years to come.