Why ClearSource Exists
The global lumber trade has long lacked an independent certification body that holds importers accountable for what happens in the forests they source from.
Accountability From Forest to Port
ClearSource was founded as an independent certification body, built on the conviction that supply chain transparency is not a marketing position — it is a basic requirement for companies that source timber from tropical and managed forests.
Existing certification programs have made progress. But they leave a critical gap: the replanting obligation. Most schemes allow carbon offsets or regional credits in lieu of direct replanting in the country of harvest. Our certification closes that gap.
We require that for every volume of timber sourced under the ClearSource certification, a verified replanting commitment is made in that country — documented, tracked, and reported annually.
This is what we mean by source accountability.
Forests are not renewable unless someone replants them
Selective harvesting, done responsibly, can coexist with healthy forest ecosystems. But it requires genuine replanting — not offsets purchased in another hemisphere, not credits on a spreadsheet. Trees. In the ground. In the country where the timber was taken.
What We Stand For
Origin Accountability
Replanting must happen where harvesting happened. No exceptions.
Independent Verification
We do not take members' word for it. Third-party auditors verify all documentation.
Transparency
Our members are listed publicly, along with their verification status and annual reports.
Continuous Improvement
Annual reporting isn't bureaucracy — it's how we ensure standards are maintained over time.
The Team
Dr. Elaine Morales
Executive Director
Thomas Richter
Director of Verification
Amara Diallo
Africa Program Lead
Yuki Tanaka
Southeast Asia Program Lead
Part of the Solution
Companies that source responsibly and replant at origin deserve to demonstrate that commitment with a certification that means something.
Apply for Certification