ABSTRACT
The intention was to address a broad spectrum of issues within the generic guidelines, incorporating elements of organic, fairtrade and ecological/sustainability (FSC) criteria. The complex web of social, ecological and marketing issues raised by NTFPs requires an approach that integrates the concerns of these different types of certification. In addition, since NTFPs are often relatively lowvalue, low-density products with complex chain-of-custody issues, it was felt that experience from fairtrade, organic and FSC/ecological certification would complement and strengthen the assessment and monitoring operation.
