Sustainable forestry

The concept of “sustainable” originally comes from the forestry industry and was first described in 1713 by Hans Carl von Carlowitz to prevent the destruction of forest.
The concept describes the method of managing a forest, by always taking only so much wood from the forest that it can grow back, so that the forest is never wholly cleared, but can regenerate again and again.  The predominant thought here is the supply of raw material in view of the trans-regional demand for wood.

The more comprehensive definition “sustainable development” is now the main focus today.  In 1987 the Brundlandt Commission defined this concept as follows:


“Sustainable development means a development that corresponds to the needs of the present generation without jeopardising the possibilities of future generations to meet their own needs”.

Sustainability in forestry

The reason high value is attached to sustainable forestry are the long regeneration periods and the ever increasing need for wood.  The Helsinki- Resolution (1993) defines sustainable forestry in modern terms as

“The treatment and use of forests in a way and to an extent that ensures their biological variety, productivity, regeneration potential, vitality and their capability to fulfil relevant ecological, economic and social functions at present and in the future at local, national and global level, without damaging other eco-systems”.

Forestry certification in Germany

Forests can be certified in Germany.  Apart from sustainability, environmental tolerance and economical aspects of forestry operations are taken into account in particular.  A forestry certificate is a certificate issued to the owner of a forest.  The certification system is intended to illustrate the transport and processing path of the timber from the producer to the end-consumer, concentrating on aspects of sustainability.
Germany’s forests have for more than 200 years already been managed in line with the principle of sustainability.  This means essentially that only as much timber may be used as will be regenerated.  In Germany, these forests can be certified by independent institutions under various systems.

The introduction and improvement of sustainable forestry management with regard to the ecological, economic and social standards is proved and recorded by independent certification systems.  In Europe, the most common certificate systems are:

• PEFC, Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (formerly Pan-European Forestry certification)
• FSC, Forest Stewardship Council

Rettenmeier promotes the sustainability of forestry management by certifying its products under these systems within the framework of the CoC (Chain of Custody) product chain system.