• What is Pro Tropenholz?  Pro Tropenholz is an association of long-established timber importers and distributors with similar concerns..

    What is Pro Tropenholz?

    Pro Tropenholz is an association of long-established timber importers and distributors with similar concerns..

  • Trade in Tropical Timber  A legitimate international timber trade does not lead to the destruction of the vital tropical forests.

    Trade in Tropical Timber

    A legitimate international timber trade does not lead to the destruction of the vital tropical forests.

  • Boycotting Tropical Timber  A boycott does not address the issue of saving the forests.

    Boycotting Tropical Timber

    A boycott does not address the issue of saving the forests.

  • Preservation of Tropical Timber  The economic use of this precious resource enables the protection of the entire eco-system.

    Preservation of Tropical Timber

    The economic use of this precious resource enables the protection of the entire eco-system.

  • Sustainable Use of Tropical Timber  Sustainable use and a sensible afforestation also benefit the people living in or near them.

    Sustainable Use of Tropical Timber

    Sustainable use and a sensible afforestation also benefit the people living in or near them.

How does sustainable Timber Management benefit the Countries concerned?

The export of tropical timber and the felling of trees in responsibly managed areas support the local infrastructures and ensure employment. Sustainable forestry management not only promotes protection and survival of indigenous peoples for whom the rain-forests are vital to their existence but also, by enabling them to participate in economic gains, plays a vital role in the abolition of poverty. As long as the managed areas are responsibly managed they maintain their value and are protected as an ecosystem.

So, it is mainly a question of how to utilise the rain-forests and safeguard them at the same time.  The authentication of tropical timber internationally will authorise local organisations to authenticate timber and timber products. Official seals of control similar to those of the FSC or PEFC are confirmation of a responsible management of the area by rejecting the use of chemicals, by adherence of the participants to social standards and maintaining the existing infrastructure. The most familiar and also most important seal is the international eco-label of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The FSC is an initiative of all major conservation organisations such as Greenpeace, BUND, WWF, Nabu, and siignifies timber and fibre products from environmentally friendly, sustainable and certified forest management.

On the basis of the timber trade regulation introduced in March 2013 every import of timber must be accompanied by a certificate of origin. A consumer should be able to discern the legality of the timber when checking the proof-of- origin documents.