The export of wood products encounters a new round of "green barriers"
In the first ten months of 2010, China’s wood furniture exports reached 34,400 units, marking a 5.36% increase compared to the previous year. The total value of these exports was $586 million, rising by an impressive 51.71%. As China's wood furniture exports grew, developed countries in Europe and the United States began implementing stricter measures to raise the bar for Chinese wood products. One of the most significant new obstacles is the widely recognized forest certification, which has emerged as a "green barrier" affecting China's wood product exports.
According to a representative from a Zhongshan-based enterprise, a long-time European partner recently asked if their products carried a green label. If so, he would place a large order; otherwise, he would stop doing business with them. Upon further inquiry, the company learned that this green label required extremely rigorous forest certification. Not only does it impose high environmental standards on raw materials, but it also involves considerable costs for the certification process.
Forest certification is now a globally recognized eco-friendly standard, seen as a way to balance ecological protection with economic growth. It includes two key components: forest management certification and chain-of-custody verification. An independent third party assesses whether forests are managed sustainably according to internationally accepted standards. A certificate is then issued, confirming that the forest is being managed responsibly, protecting biodiversity, maintaining ecological functions, and safeguarding endangered species and their habitats.
Products from "certified" forests can be labeled with a "green label," clearly indicating that the wood comes from well-managed sources. This helps consumers make environmentally conscious choices when purchasing wood, paper, or other forest products, supporting sustainable forestry practices worldwide.
In Europe, where environmental awareness is strong, many consumers are willing to pay more for certified wood products. As global environmental consciousness rises, more people are choosing to support sustainable forestry by buying certified goods. Many multinational corporations have started offering FSC-certified products to meet consumer demand and build a green brand image.
However, there are concerns about China’s current progress in forest certification. While the concept has been introduced in China for over a decade, it still lacks widespread recognition, especially among wood manufacturers. Some industry leaders worry that without domestic certification gaining traction in the EU market, export companies may struggle to maintain their international foothold. Either they must buy pricier imported timber or invest in their own certification, which could significantly impact their competitiveness.
Inspection officials note that failing to adapt to these changes could lead to a gradual loss of market share in Europe, the U.S., and beyond—regardless of product quality. Despite efforts such as the establishment of the China Forest Certification Leading Group in 2001 and the release of the “China Forest Certification System Construction Plan†in 2004, progress has been slow. By 2008, only 11 enterprises had passed FSC certification, covering less than 600,000 hectares—just 0.34% of the country’s total forest area.
In 2009, the “Regulations for the Implementation of China’s Forest Certification†came into effect, signaling a step forward. In September 2010, the State Forestry Administration issued guidelines aiming to implement a forest certification system in state-owned forests by 2015, conduct pilot programs in collective forests, and encourage major export-oriented companies to seek certification. The goal is to establish a national system that aligns with international standards and promotes sustainable forestry development.
Industry experts believe that forest certification presents both opportunities and challenges for China’s forestry sector. For companies with strong management practices and export orientation, certification opens up broader domestic and international markets. However, those with lower management standards may face severe difficulties in exporting wood products to sensitive markets like Europe and the U.S. As global demand for sustainable products grows, forest certification will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of China’s wood furniture industry.
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