The paper provides an overview on the current status of NWFP certification by discussing three main questions: i) What are relevant standards for NWFP certification? ii) How des certification contribute to the sustainable use of NWFP? iii) What are the challenges and perspectives of NWFP certification?

A preliminary assessment of the impact of certification on the sustainable use of NWFP has been carried out by FAO based on an literature review and the implementation of case studies covering three different species/products and four exporting/importing countries: i) devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) in Namibia and Germany; ii) sheabutter (Vitellaria paradoxa) in Ghana; and iii) brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa) in Bolivia. The paper summarizes the main results of the case studies by focussing on the following key issues: traceability, tenure rights, empowerment, market potential, costs, harvesting and mainstreaming.