PEFC prompts dialog with the fashion industry via sustainable campaign

The Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) has launched a new campaign in order to raise industrial awareness on the importance of sourcing materials from sustainably sourced forests.

The world’s largest forest certification organization, PEFC has launched a campaign to attract attention to the value of sourcing natural forest fibers such as viscose, acetate and lyocell. The raw materials for the fibers are extracted from sustainably managed forests to transform the environmental impact of the fashion industry and support the severity of the environmental conditions.

The organization aims to support and encourage retailers and fashion brands to ensure responsible procurement decisions are made. Natural and renewable fibers have the potential to aid the sustainable shift in the fashion industry. However, they must be sourced responsibly by the PEFC chain of custody certification mechanism.

To draw the attention of a hefty number of viewers towards this campaign, the company has collaborated with the paper artist Sam Pierpoint to create a stimulating online animation. The company has tried to enforce ‘Fashion Change, Forests Stay’ within the campaign to keep the forests ecosystem healthy.

PEFC are also expected to shortly deliver a new white paper, which establishes that sustainable forest fibers,  such as viscose, acetate and lyocell, play an important role in helping fashion brands and retailers meet their commitments to tackling climate change.

Ben Gunneberg, the CEO of PEFC stated that they were looking forward to working with fashion brands and retailers to help them maximize their impact through Sustainable forest management. He further added through launching the Fashions Change, Forests Stay’ campaign they hope to spark a new conversation amongst the fashion industry on the role it can play in protecting the world’s forests.

The company has also established a collaboration with Roadmap to help brands and retailers highlight the steps that they can take to ensure sustainable business management.

The company offers two types of certification. Under the PEFC forest management standards, they abide by strict international requirements that allow trees to regrow and help maintain biodiversity and ecological balance. Under the PEFC chain of custody certification, the company tracks forest-based products from their origin to the final product, scrutinizing every step of the supply chain.