Vandecasteele Houtimport first company in Belgium to achieve the Preferred by Nature Certification

Vandecasteele Houtimport – Certified for Chain of Custody and Due Diligence System according to Preferred by Nature

Vandecasteele Houtimport is certified under the Preferred by Nature certification program for the scope of Chain of Custody (CoC) and the Due Diligence System (DDS). This certification confirms the company’s commitment to responsible forest management and full traceability of wood products, in accordance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

Vandecasteele Houtimport is the first company in Belgium to achieve the Preferred by Nature Certification.

The certification is based on the following standards:

• PBN-02 System Requirements V1.4

• PBN-03 DDS Requirements V1.4

• PBN-05 CoC Standard V1.4

• PBN-13 EUDR Indicators V1.5 (March 2025)

Thanks to this certification, Vandecasteele Houtimport guarantees that all relevant wood and forest products:

• Are free from deforestation since December 31, 2020

• Are legally produced according to national legislation

• Are fully traceable with geolocation, production data, and supplier information

• Are covered by a Due Diligence Statement, as required by the EUDR

This certification not only supports regulatory compliance but also strengthens customer and partner trust in sustainable and responsible business practices.

This recognition confirms that our company meets strict requirements in terms of Chain of Custody and Due Diligence, and that we have robust systems for responsible wood sourcing, full traceability, and risk management within our supply chain.

As one of Europe’s leading wood importers, with a stock of approximately 130,000 m³ of wood and an estimated CO₂ storage of 140 million kilograms, we build on a tradition dating back to 1883. Today, the fifth generation of the Vandecasteele family is at the helm, with sustainability as a core value.

“Sustainability is a core family value and the foundation of our company,” says Louis Vandecasteele. “We consciously choose certified wood, whose origin is strictly controlled for legality and responsible forest management. The Preferred by Nature Certification helps us identify and mitigate risks in the chain and supports our compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation.”

Our stock includes a wide range of certifications, including FSC™, PEFC, OLB, and NEPCon LegalSource, underscoring our commitment to responsible sourcing.

This certification is the result of a joint effort by our entire team, our suppliers, and our customers.

“We make progress step by step. Not too fast, because then the system risks collapsing. Everyone must think in the same direction, and continuous improvement must be part of our daily mindset,” says Louis.

Our 24-year participation in the VOKA Charter for Sustainable Entrepreneurship, inspired by the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, has laid a solid foundation for this milestone.

With the Preferred by Nature Certification, we take responsibility for our impact — and that of our supply chain — on people and the planet.