As the timber industry in Vietnam surges, the Forest Stewardship Council announced it has approved the country’s first National Forest Stewardship Standard (NFSS).
The standard is used to manage forests in a sustainable way and promote responsible wood production, according to FSC.
“By applying this new NFSS, FSC certificate holders could get greater access to global markets,” FSC stated. “It should also help them prove their positive impacts on the environment and social development.”
The standard goes into effect May 1 and will apply to all forest operations seeking FSC certification in Vietnam, including natural forests, plantations and managed forests.
After the trade war between the U.S. and China began in 2018, industry experts anticipated a shift in wood floor manufacturing from China to Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia. In 2019, forest products exports from Vietnam increased 18%.
