Understanding Sustainability Certifications for Timber Flooring & Interior Panelling Products

Eco-Conscious Design Begins with Certification

In the world of high-end interior design, sustainability and eco-conscious materials have become paramount. Homeowners, architects, and designers are increasingly seeking timber solutions that not only exude luxury and sophistication but also align with ethical and environmental standards. Understanding sustainability certifications is essential when selecting timber flooring, wall and ceiling panelling, cabinetry, and other timber surfaces. These certifications guarantee that the materials used in your interiors meet rigorous environmental, health, and safety standards. Here, we break down the most important global certifications you should look for when specifying timber products for your next project.

The Gold Standard: FSC^® Certification

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is widely regarded as the gold standard in responsible forestry. FSC certification ensures that timber products originate from forests managed with strict environmental, social, and economic standards. It guarantees ethical sourcing, promotes biodiversity, and ensures that logging practices support local communities. With chain-of-custody tracking, FSC-certified timber provides peace of mind, ensuring your materials are sourced with integrity.

Check out our article on the FSC's 10 Principles for Responsible Forest Management

FSC Certified vs. FSC Mix Certified: Understanding the Difference

When selecting FSC^® certified products, it’s important to understand the distinction between FSC^® Certified and FSC^® Mix Certified labels. 

• FSC Certified (FSC 100%): This label means that the timber is sourced entirely from FSC-certified forests, ensuring full compliance with FSC’s stringent sustainability and ethical forestry standards. 
• FSC Mix Certified: This label indicates that the product contains a combination of FSC-certified wood, recycled materials, and/or controlled wood. Controlled wood is sourced from forests that meet specific FSC risk assessment criteria, ensuring they do not contribute to deforestation or unethical practices.

Both certifications contribute to responsible forestry, but if you’re looking for the highest level of sustainability assurance, FSC 100% Certified products offer complete traceability from an FSC-managed forest. 

Havwoods carry both FSC^® Certified (C009500) and FSC^® Mix Certified (C009500) products. These products can be found in our following collections:  

• Havwoods Signature Collection
• Purepanel 19mm panels
• PurePlank and PurePlank 2.0
• Purepanel H-Panel
• V Collection wide plank products
• Venture Plank
• Elegante
• Hushwood
• TreeAzzo

Havwoods FSC^® Certified (C009500) Elegante Timber Veneers

Cradle-to-Cradle^® Certified: Closing the Loop

Cradle-to-Cradle Certified^® is a globally recognised standard for products designed with circularity in mind. Timber products with this certification are assessed across five key areas: 

• Material Health – ensuring non-toxic, safe ingredients. 
• Material Reutilisation – encouraging recyclability and reuse. 
• Renewable Energy and Carbon Management – reducing carbon footprints. 
• Water Stewardship – promoting responsible water usage. 
• Social Fairness – ensuring ethical and equitable production. 

Havwoods proudly carries Cradle-to-Cradle^® Certified Bronze products, reflecting a commitment to materials that contribute to a healthier planet. Find these products in our Venture Plank Collection.

Havwoods Cradle to Cradle^® Bronze Certified HW3697 Militia timber flooring, from the Venture Plank Collection

PEFC Certification: Supporting Sustainable Forests

The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) is another globally recognised certification, ensuring sustainable forest management. Unlike FSC, which is an independent global standard, PEFC works through national forest certification systems, making it more accessible to small and family-owned forests. This certification ensures that the benefits of forest products can be enjoyed for generations to come while maintaining ecological balance. 

The following Havwoods collections contain PEFC certified products: 

• RealGrain 
• PureVeneer 
• Italian Collection
• Henley 

Havwoods PEFC Certified HW16409C Columba Plank from the Italian Collection | Dior Head Quarters, Sydney

FloorScore: Certified for Indoor Air Quality

For those prioritising indoor air quality, FloorScore certification is an essential consideration. This certification guarantees that timber flooring meets stringent indoor air quality standards and emits low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). With FloorScore certified products, luxury interiors can be as healthy as they are beautiful, ensuring a safe environment for occupants.

Havwoods products with FloorScore certification can be found in our V Collection.

Havwoods FloorScore Certified HW3573 Ryde Herringbone timber flooring from the V Collection | The Caves Palms

Indoor Air Comfort: Ensuring a Healthy Living Space

Indoor Air Comfort certification is one of the highest standards for low-emission indoor products. This certification ensures that timber flooring, wall panelling, and cabinetry contribute to a healthier indoor climate by meeting strict European and global regulations on VOC emissions. Interiors designed with Indoor Air Comfort Gold-certified timber create an atmosphere that is both luxurious and safe.

ISO 14001: The Benchmark for Environmental Management

ISO 14001 is the leading international standard for environmental management systems. This certification demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to sustainable practices by requiring a structured approach to environmental impact management. Key areas of focus include: 

• Environmental Policy: defining sustainability objectives. 
• System Implementation: ensuring integration into business operations. 
• Design and Functions: embedding sustainability into products. 
• Inspections and Corrective Actions: continuous monitoring and improvement. 
• Management Review: ensuring accountability and transparency. 

By adhering to ISO 14001, Havwoods ensures that all of our timber solutions meet high environmental performance standards, reducing waste and promoting sustainability.

Havwoods RECM3040 Onslow timber panelling from the Relik Collection

CE Certification: Meeting European Standards

CE Certification signifies compliance with European health, safety, and environmental protection legislation. It is a crucial mark for timber products used in construction, ensuring they meet rigorous European standards for safety and sustainability. When selecting timber flooring or paneling with CE certification, you can be confident in the material’s durability, performance, and environmental responsibility.

Environmental Product Declarations (EPD): Transparency in Sustainability

EPDs provide transparent, science-backed data on a product’s environmental impact throughout its lifecycle. From raw material extraction to disposal, EPDs give designers, architects, and homeowners comprehensive insight into a product’s carbon footprint, resource consumption, and environmental performance. Timber products with an EPD allow for informed decision-making, aligning projects with sustainability goals.

FSC^® Certified (C009500) HW12336 Allevard timber flooring, Havwoods PurePlank 2.0 collection | Design by Sunday Homes

Sustainability Certifications in Practice: What Specifiers Need to Know

If you’re an architect, designer, or builder, you likely already understand the core timber certifications — but using them effectively on projects is where the nuance lies.

Here are key considerations that move certification from box-ticking to value-adding:

• FSC vs PEFC: When the distinction matters. While both are accepted in Australia and by Green Star, some institutional clients — particularly multinationals or public sector bodies — may still request FSC-only. Clarify this early to avoid procurement issues or project delays.
• Certification vs Legality: Under Australia's Illegal Logging Prohibition Act, due diligence is a legal requirement — but certifications like FSC and Cradle to Cradle, are how you demonstrate that due diligence. Always ensure documentation is available for audit. Havwoods can provide you with all the necessary documents required on request.
• Documentation is your safety net: Specify “chain-of-custody certification required” in your tender documentation, and request certification codes and scope from your suppliers. For green building projects, this documentation is often required at submission stage.
• Circularity is rising in priority: Certifications like Cradle-to-Cradle signal more than just ethical sourcing — they reflect design intent aligned with circularity and whole-of-life thinking. This is increasingly important in government and institutional briefs.
• Clients care about health: Indoor air quality certifications like FloorScore and Indoor Air Comfort Gold are not just for hospitals and schools. More residential clients — especially luxury or wellness-focused — are now asking about low-VOC materials.
• Use certifications to add narrative value: Certified timber isn’t just compliant — it’s a design story. It speaks to intent, integrity, and environmental stewardship. On high-end residential and commercial projects, that narrative elevates both the material and the space.

In short, certifications aren’t just a material checkbox. They’re a signal of professionalism, alignment with green procurement frameworks, and a growing expectation in both public and private briefs. Mastering how to apply them in practice is what sets specifiers apart.

Why Certifications Matter

For luxury homeowners, interior designers, and architects, selecting sustainability-certified timber products ensures more than just a visually stunning space, it guarantees ethical sourcing, sustainability, and superior indoor air quality. These certifications provide credibility and assurance that your materials align with the highest environmental and performance standards. 

At Havwoods, we are committed to offering timber solutions that meet the highest industry certifications. From FSC and PEFC to Cradle-to-Cradle and FloorScore, our products embody excellence in sustainability, durability, and luxury. 

Choosing sustainability-certified timber is a conscious decision that contributes to a greener future without compromising on style or quality. For more information on sustainable timber solutions, reach out to our experts or explore our latest collections in our showrooms.