The SEDEX Certificate aims at a global improvement in supply chains in the light of ethics and with a sense of responsibility. SEDEX is also the name of an organization which has thousands of member companies in global market. SEDEX has more than 50,000 member companies from 150 different countries. In this sense, it is one of the largest organizations of the world that is based on collaborative work. In addition, in view of the number of its members and the locations where it has established partnerships, it also has one of the largest databases of the world.

FSC forest management certification confirms that the forest is being managed in a way that preserves biological diversity and benefits the lives of local people and workers, while ensuring it sustains economic viability. FSC-certified forests are managed to strict environmental, social and economic standards. There are ten principles that any forest operation must adhere to before it can receive FSC forest management certification. These principles cover a broad range of issues, from maintaining high conservation values to community relations and workers’ rights, as well as monitoring the environmental and social impacts of the forest management.

The EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) came into force in 2013 prohibiting the placing of illegally harvested timber in the European market. The regulation is a major part of the EU’s effort to reduce deforestation and protect at risk tree species as part of the EU Forest, Law, Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan.

It is implemented in all countries in the EU and the EEA (Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland) and will be replicated in the UK following Brexit.

It applies to timber harvested in both the EU and internationally, obligating businesses to assess and mitigate any risks that the timber in their products has  come from an illegal source.