India Introduces IFWCS-PRAMAAN, a Cost-Effective Forest Certification Scheme Meeting EUDR Compliance; IFWCS-PRAMAAN-Certified Products Comply with Sustainability Standards Under the BIS Act, 2016 (Section 10) and NBCC Sustainable Procurement Policy (Cl. 4.3)

India Introduces IFWCS-PRAMAAN, a Cost-Effective Forest Certification Scheme Meeting EUDR Compliance; IFWCS-PRAMAAN-Certified Products Comply with Sustainability Standards Under the BIS Act, 2016 (Section 10) and NBCC Sustainable Procurement Policy (Cl. 4.3)

Key Points of Interview:

“India has approximately 80.72 million hectares of forest and tree cover, accounting for around 24.62% of its geographical area”

“IFWCS-PRAMAAN initiative, has conducted pre-audits within government-managed forests, and agroforestry systems, and private plantations”
“Certification acts as a reinforcement mechanism that validates these efforts and aligns the industry with international expectations and environmental commitments”
“By opting for IFWCS-PRAMAAN-certified packaging, businesses and consumers can support reforestation, soil conservation, carbon sequestration, and ethical labour practices while ensuring compliance with sustainability regulations”
“Compliance with the EUDR is essential for accessing premium international markets, especially in Europe, where ethical sourcing is a top priority for buyers and consumers”
“IFWCS-PRAMAAN certified exporters will assure compliance and reassure global buyers of their commitment to sustainability”

Mr. Shiv S Panse, PhD, CEO-Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme "PRAMAAN", Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), shares insights on the critical role of forest certification in sustainable forestry, responsible paper production, and its global environmental impact. In conversation with The Pulp and Paper Times, he discusses the importance of certification in sustainability, challenges and advancements in standards, combating deforestation, its impact on supply chains, EUDR’s compliance, and future trends in sustainable forest management. Here is his full Interview:

Q: Please give us a brief introduction to Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme “PRAMAAN”. 

The Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS), branded as “PRAMAAN” (Program for Recognition and Accreditation of Sustainable Management Practices for Agroforestry and Natural Forestry Resources), is a national initiative by the Government of India, aimed at promoting and implementing sustainable forest management, the responsible production and harvesting of Trees Outside Forests (TOF) and other natural forests, and ethical sourcing of wood and non-timber forest products (NTFP) by using best management practices and assessed through a voluntary third-party assessment process. The scheme is designed to enhance the integrity and transparency of India’s forestry practices, providing State Forest Departments, Forest Development Corporations, individual farmers or groups, wood-based industries and other end users that use certified products in their operations, with a credible certification that improves access to domestic and international markets. 

By promoting sustainable practices, the IFWCS supports environmental and social goals while boosting economic opportunities for relevant stakeholders involved in the wood-based industry. The scheme ensures vitality of the forest resources that are managed sustainably, with due consideration given to the economic, social, environmental and cultural aspects. 

Q: Can you provide a brief overview of the certifications under the “IFWCS-PRAMAAN” and its significance for sustainable timber and paper production? 

The IFWCS-PRAMAAN scheme operates through a multi-tier system, offering Forest Management (FM), Trees Outside Forests (TOF) Management, and Chain of Custody (CoC) Management Certifications. Governed by the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Council (IFWCC) and operated by the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), nominated as the Scheme Operating Agency (SOA), IFWCS-PRAMAAN aligns with international best practices in forest sustainability.
The certification process, in accordance with the Indian Forest Management Standard and the Trees Outside Forest Management Standard under the IFWCS-PRAMAAN, is a rigorous procedure that ensures the sustainable management of forest and tree resources, in addition to the conservation of ecological balance and biodiversity. The certification is of particular importance to the timber and paper industries. It promotes responsible harvesting, reduces illegal logging, and meets global regulatory standards. This guarantees that ethical sourcing practices are in place according to sustainability principles. The scheme offers several key benefits, including meeting timber demands through sustainable sourcing, creating employment opportunities, and protecting corporations from climate-related challenges. Additionally, it enhances market credibility and helps manufacturers and traders demonstrate compliance with sustainability standards.

Q: How does IFWCS-PRAMAAN ensure the sustainable management of forests?

India has adopted the principles of sustainable forest management and developed the National Set of 8 Criteria and 37 Indicators during Bhopal-India Process, one of the 9 internationally accepted frameworks for the Criteria and Indicators (C&I) approach for SFM. The national set of C&I on SFM was piloted by IIFM Bhopal in 26 forest divisions spread over 12 states of the country over a period of 18 years (1998-2016). These C&I were incorporated into the National Working Plan Code (2023) in the form of the Indian Forest Management Standard (IFMS). 

The Integration of Forest Certification within the National Working Plan Code (NWPC) as per Chapter 4 of the NWPC 2023 provides a framework evolved into national forest certification program, for monitoring, assessment, and reporting on the implementation of SFM principles. Therefore, the IFMS benchmarks at par with the internationally recognized certification system while being relevant in the Indian context ensuring sustainability of Indian forests. 

On the other hand, the certification of trees outside forests reduces pressure on natural forests by increasing market value and providing sustainably sourced timber and wood-products, supporting rural communities and building resilience to reduce deforestation and forest degradation. 

Q: What are the main aspects of forest certification process covered by IFWCS-PRAMAAN? Please provide an overview of Indian forests, and how many hectares of forest have been certified by other organizations? 

The certification process under IFWCS-PRAMAAN assesses ecological integrity, biodiversity conservation, soil and water protection, socio-economic benefits for forest-dependent communities, and legal compliance. The certification process involves desk-based and on-site assessments, stakeholder consultations, and periodic surveillance audits. By ensuring transparency and traceability through its Chain of Custody (CoC) certification, IFWCS-PRAMAAN guarantees that certified wood products originate from sustainably managed forestry and agroforestry sources that comply with social, environmental and cultural norms.

India has approximately 80.72 million hectares of forest and tree cover, accounting for around 24.62% of its geographical area. Voluntary certification schemes such as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has certified 1.81 lakh ha  of natural forests and plantations in India, and as of June 2020, the Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) scheme had certified 4.5 lakh ha . Since its launch, the IFWCS-PRAMAAN initiative, has conducted pre-audits within government-managed forests, and agroforestry systems, and private plantations. To date, these audits have covered an area of 7.76 lakh ha under FM certification and 10.78 thousand ha under TOF certification.

Q: The Indian paper industry is a key player in sourcing wood from agroforestry programs. How important is forest certification for the sustainability of the paper industry? 

The long-term sustainability of raw material availability is inevitable for the sustenance and continued growth of the Indian paper industry. The sector relies heavily on agroforestry for wood sourcing and primarily focuses on ensuring a consistent, reliable, and sustainable supply of raw material. Promoting sustainable agroforestry practices such as soil and water conservation, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity enhancement is essential to maintaining productivity, preserving ecological balance, and supporting the livelihoods of farmers.

Forest certification works as a complementary tool that supports and verifies the sustainability of these practices. It helps demonstrate the legality and responsible management of wood sources and provides transparency and traceability across the supply chain. The adoption of sustainable agroforestry practices results in offering numerous benefits, including soil and water conservation, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity conservation. 

Certification helps users in adopting sustainable forest management practices, in turn supports India’s commitments to global sustainability initiatives and enhances the competitiveness of Indian paper products in eco-conscious markets. This can also help in meeting the increasing demand for sustainably produced paper products, restricting uncertified materials.

This in turn strengthens the sustainability of agroforestry systems ensuring long-term raw material security, and certification acts as a reinforcement mechanism that validates these efforts and aligns the industry with international expectations and environmental commitments.

Q: What is the environmental impact of choosing packaging that does not come from IFWCS-PRAMAAN-managed forests? 

The use of non-certified packaging materials carries with it a number of risks, including the potential for habitat destruction, deforestation and degradation, illegal harvesting, encroachment, biodiversity loss and carbon emissions. It may also contribute to environmental and social impacts, including high-impact logging practices, and exploitative labour practices. By opting for IFWCS-PRAMAAN-certified packaging, businesses and consumers can support reforestation, soil conservation, carbon sequestration, and ethical labour practices while ensuring compliance with sustainability regulations.

Q: What are the key criteria considered by Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme when evaluating forest management practices? 

The IFWCS-PRAMAAN, evaluate forest management based on the requirements of the Indian Forest Management Standard that applies to both natural forest and forest plantation conditions. These requirements shall be met throughout the process as indicated in the relevant criterion, indicator or verifier. The standard is structured around eight Criteria in order for an area to be certified. The criteria are i) Extent and Condition of Forest and Tree Cover, ii) Maintenance, Conservation and Enhancement of Biodiversity, iii) Maintenance and Enhancement of Forest Health and Vitality, iv) Conservation and Maintenance of Soil and Water Resources, v) Maintenance and Enhancement of Forest Resource Productivity, vi) Optimisation of Forest Resource Utilisation, vii) Benefits to Local People - Social, and Cultural Values, and viii) Policy, Legal and Institutional Framework. 

Q: What are the potential challenges associated with implementing forest certification within the paper industry? 

Implementing forest certification in the paper industry in India and other developing countries is challenging due to the reliance on agroforestry, fragmented land ownership, and a lack of standardised trading practices. Many farmers and suppliers lack awareness and training in sustainable forest management practices, making compliance difficult. Furthermore, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) encounter challenges due to the financial burden of certification, as the costs associated with audits, documentation, and compliance are often prohibitive for businesses operating on thin margins.

Another key challenge is the absence of uniform trading practices in the raw material supply chain. The wood market in developing countries is largely informal, with multiple intermediaries and fluctuating prices, making traceability and standardisation difficult. The presence of unskilled labour in forestry and harvesting operations adds to the complexity, as training and implementing fair labour practices require significant investment. The industry must also comply with evolving global sustainability regulations, such as the EU Deforestation-Free Regulation and FSC standards, which demand continuous adaptation.

A multi-stakeholder approach involving government bodies, industry players, and certification agencies is recommended to overcome these challenges. Capacity-building initiatives, financial incentives, and policy support are essential to encourage sustainable practices and make certification more accessible. The strengthening of institutional frameworks, the raising of awareness among stakeholders, and the promotion of sustainable agroforestry models can ensure that industries align with global environmental standards while ensuring long-term economic viability.

Q: How does IFWCS-PRAMAAN differentiate its certification program from FSC or the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)? 

IFWCS-PRAMAAN is India’s first indigenous forest certification scheme tailored to the country’s unique forest governance structure, agroforestry practices, and socio-economic dynamics. The IFWCS-PRAMAAN aligns closely with India’s forest management policies and National Working Plan Code 2023, making it more accessible and cost-effective for Indian stakeholders. It provides Forest Management and Trees Outside Forests (Management) and Chain of Custody (Management) Certification duly covering due-diligence requirements to comply with international regulations such as European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), ensuring comprehensive certification coverage.

Q: When consumers choose an IFWCS-PRAMAAN-certified product—such as paper straws instead of plastic ones—what are the environmental benefits (aside from the obvious reduction in single-use plastic consumption)? 

By choosing IFWCS-PRAMAAN-certified products, consumers can be confident that they are contributing to environmental sustainability, in line with key policies such as the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and National Forest Policy, 1988 that promotes sourcing of sustainable wood, ensures responsible forestry, preventing deforestation and the degradation of natural ecosystems. The Forest Conservation Act, 1980 (Section 2) regulates land-use changes, encouraging afforestation and sustainable land management. The Environment Protection Act, 1986 (Section 3) supports sustainable industrial practices that mitigate ecological harm, while the Green India Mission enhances carbon sequestration through forest conservation and restoration.

IFWCS-PRAMAAN certification also aids in reducing the carbon footprint of the paper industry by promoting sustainable forest management, in line with the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 (Section 14), which advocate for low-carbon building materials. By ensuring ethical business practices in sourcing, these certified products align with the Companies Act, 2013 (Section 135) CSR initiatives, which emphasise afforestation and community development. Furthermore, the Public Procurement (Preference for Make in India) Order, 2017 prioritises sustainably produced goods, thereby promoting the adoption of eco-friendly alternatives in public procurement.

Additionally, IFWCS-PRAMAAN-certified products comply with the sustainability standards set out in the BIS Act, 2016 (Section 10) and the NBCC Sustainable Procurement Policy (Cl. 4.3) that ensures the use of certified wood, recyclable materials, and minimal waste generation. The certification also aligns with the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) mandate on sustainable procurement, promoting the use of eco-friendly materials and circular economy principles. Digital verification and compliance through the IT Act, 2000 (Chapter IV – Electronic Governance) further strengthen transparency in sustainable sourcing. By choosing these certified products, consumers can be confident that they are actively supporting biodiversity conservation, ethical trade practices, and a transition towards a greener economy.

Q: What are your upcoming plans or campaigns to raise awareness about IFWCS-PRAMAAN? 

The Scheme Operating Agency (SOA) of IFWCS-PRAMAAN has actively engaged key stakeholders across the forest and paper ecosystem – including wood-based industries, certification bodies, research institutions, government agencies, NGOs, and suppliers – through a series of targeted outreach activities. Seven state-level multi-stakeholder workshops were conducted in the sates of Rajasthan, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh as part of the scheme roll-out, as well as two auditor training programs at the Indian Institute of Forest Management campuses in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh and Kurseong, West Bengal, to build technical understanding of resources and sector readiness. These events served to promote sustainable agroforestry practices, share success stories, and raise awareness of the role of PRAMAAN certification in improving market access and environmental accountability.

The SOA has also used social media campaigns and consumer-focused webinars to highlight the environmental benefits of choosing certified products. These campaigns aim to the importance of ethical souring and sustainable forest management. 

In addition, to strengthen credibility, and industry collaboration as a key component of integrating IFWCS-PRAMAAN into public procurement policies and sustainability frameworks, the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB), will accredit national certification bodies and institutions such as the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agriculture University to ensure independent third party audits, making the certification process more transparent and reliable. In addition, the training of auditors and consultants will help the industry to navigate the certification process efficiently.

Currently, the IFWCS-PRAMAAN is advancing its implementation through several key programmes planned for 2025 and beyond. The IFWCS web portal is under development and is expected to be fully operational by December 2025, providing an end-to-end digital interface for application processing, certification issuance, and logo approvals. Accreditation of Certification Bodies (CBs) is underway, with at least three expected to be provisionally accredited by the end of 2025. Certification audits for Forest Management (FM) and trees outside forest (TOF) certificate audits are being conducted for entities such as state forest departments, forest development corporations, and plywood and composite wood manufacturing units in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Pubjab.

Planned initiatives include 3 auditor training programs and 7 state level capacity building workshops in collaboration with different state forest departments, and forest development corporations, forest academies. Online workshops are also planned to run throughout the year to engage a wider group of stakeholders and support wider implementation. Looking ahead, the SOA aims to scale up awareness raising efforts for mutual recognition with global certification schemes, development of digital compliance tools, and alignment with international trade regulations (such as EUDR), and integration of IFWCS-PRAMAAN into national sustainability frameworks and public procurement policies by fostering strong collaboration with both government agencies and private sector actors.

Q: Recently, the European Union introduced the Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which mandates that any product entering European markets must not contribute to deforestation or the degradation of forests, land, or other natural areas. How do you evaluate the impact of this regulation on India? 

The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) covers seven key commodities and their derived products responsible for high risk of deforestation. Thes are cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber soya, and wood. The regulation will have a far-reaching impact on Indian exports, especially in the sectors like timber, paper, and agroforestry-based products. The regulation only allows the deforestation or forest degradation free products entering the EU market. Indian businesses must adopt more stringent, transparent sourcing practices and demonstrate that their supply chains are deforestation-free. While this may seem like a regulatory burden, it is actually a valuable opportunity for Indian industries to raise their sustainability standards and strengthen their credibility in global markets. Indian industries must seize this opportunity to transform what could be seen as a trade barrier into a competitive advantage. Compliance with the EUDR is essential for accessing premium international markets, especially in Europe, where ethical sourcing is a top priority for buyers and consumers. 

The scheme is well-positioned to offer Indian suppliers, with the applicable sourcing requirements for traceability, and sustainable forestry practices and agroforestry management in line with international standards.  

The global market is shifting towards ethical trade. The Indian businesses must comply with sustainable practices now. This is the only way to future-proof their operations, access high-value supply chains and enhance their international reputation as responsible producers. The IFWCS-PRAMAAN certified exporters will assure compliance and reassure global buyers of their commitment to sustainability. 
 

Web Title: India Introduces IFWCS-PRAMAAN, a Cost-Effective Forest Certification Scheme Meeting EUDR Compliance; IFWCS-PRAMAAN-Certified Products Comply with Sustainability Standards Under the BIS Act, 2016 (Section 10) and NBCC Sustainable Procurement Policy (Cl. 4.3)