The trade and use of tropical timber has been a highly controversial issue in Switzerland for a while. This also put a strain on the relationship between the wood processing industry and environmental NGOs. In an attempt to change from confrontation to a productive dialogue, the Federation of the Swiss Door Producers (Verband Schweizerische Türenbranche (VST)), Greenpeace and WWF Switzerland embarked on a difficult negotiation process, which was facilitated by SECO. In summer 2004, the VST, Greenpeace and WWF Switzerland finally signed a path breaking agreement concerning the supply of wood and wood products. With this agreement, the signing parties jointly set a positive sign for the conservation and sustainable management of tropical forests. (see agreement text)

The agreement comprises the following commitments:
- VST members process only timber with a certificate of origin.
- VST members apply a voluntary product declaration concerning species and origin of timber.
- VST members strive to procure exclusively legally logged and legally traded timber.
- VST members strive for procuring timber and timber products from certified sources (FSC or equivalent).

With the agreement, the parties adopted a detailed action plan for the implementation of the agreement, which is currently being implemented by all the organisations involved.

Success in many fields

Press releases

Information on tree species

Information on export countries