As part of the endorsement of forest certification systems, PEFC requires that schemes undergo a rigorous and independently verified re-endorsement process every 5 years. The Brazilian Forest Certification Programme (CERFLOR) is the latest PEFC member to achieve re-endorsement.

The standard setting process for the CERFLOR system was carried out at the national level by the Brazilian Association for Standardization (ABNT). PEFC is the only global certification system that requires all standards to be independently developed with the open participation of all interested stakeholders at national level in a consensus-driven decision-making process. This ensures that the standard best meets local requirements with local stakeholders taking ownership.

Unique in the world of forest certification, all national standards seeking PEFC endorsement are subject to a stringent endorsement process. This includes an independent assessment that verifies the compliance of standards derived through national processes with PEFC's Sustainability Benchmarks, a global public stakeholder consultation period, and a Panel of Expert review before all members vote on the endorsement.

"The re-endorsement of CERFLOR by PEFC is an important milestone for local stakeholders. In addition to confirming that the Brazilian standards are in compliance with PEFC's internationally recognized Sustainability Benchmarks, the endorsement secures continuing access to markets that increasingly demand PEFC-certified material," said Ben Gunneberg, PEFC International Secretary General. "More than fifty percent of all timber imported into the UK is PEFC-certified, and the most recent data available from the Netherlands suggests that the market share of sustainably produced timber has more than doubled between 2005 and 2008, with two-thirds certified to PEFC."

"Forest certification is becoming mainstream in many parts of the world, with PEFC Chain of Custody certification experiencing double-digits growth rates in more than two-thirds of all countries where PEFC is present. CERFLOR's international recognition through PEFC ensures that Brazilian forest owners that demonstrate compliance with and are certified to CERFLORs forest management requirements benefit from global demand for PEFC-certified timber. It also sends a strong signal for Brazilian companies exporting to global markets to obtain PEFC Chain of Custody certification."

CERFLOR is a voluntary programme developed with representatives from different stakeholders including producers, consumers, governments, NGO's and other organizations, such as universities and research institutions in Brazil. In achieving PEFC endorsement, the CERFLOR system, supported by the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade (MDIC) and the Ministry of the Environment (MMA), has demonstrated that it equals or surpasses all of the PEFC International Sustainability Benchmarks.