Certification and analysis of necessity, applicability and possible problems and opportunities to application process in Turkish forestry

SUMMARY Certification and Analysis of Necessity, Applicability and Possible Problems and Opportunities to Application Process in Turkish Forestry Certification is a process providing verification that a product, service or process has been done as prescribed. Certification is a new phenomenon to forestry sector. Forest certification has been developed as an alternative to Non-Governmental Organization's boykotts initiatives as a way discouraging the depletion of forests. Primay aim of forest certification is to ensure implementation of sustainable forest management practices. Forest product market has a crucial role in certification process. In this context, the objective of certification is to link the enviromentally conscious markets and the forest managers pursuing sustainable forest management practices. Thus, by labelling the products originating from these forests, products differentiating can be possible. In sum, forest certification involves auditing and assessment of forest management practices on the ground against defined environmental, social, technical and economic criteria and indicators by an independent body. Certification, thus, encourage the sustainale managemnet of forest resources. Also, certification ensure consumers that wood products they purchase is coming from a certified forests by tracing timber through the chain of custody which runs from the forest to the final purhaser. Certification is necessary for the Turkish Forestry Sector and the forestry system being practiced, not only as an opportunity to resolve problems related to implemented framework such as organizational, legal, economic, social and planning problems, but also to make efficient forest management operations. Furthermore, there are various commitments given in regional and international processes including forming and implementing certification systems. Therefore, initiatives related to defining certification standarts and system and application guidelines should be started through setting a working group. In the meantime, in all these process the characteristics of Turkish forests and forestry system should be considered. Keywords: Certification, Forest Certification, Labelling, Criteria and Indicators, Working Group, Turkish Forests and Forestry System vn