Opinel PEFC-certified beech and hornbeam

In 2024, Opinel was awarded PEFC certification, attesting to its environmental commitment to its use of wood for manufacturing knives. Find out more about this commitment and about certification.

For 25 years, the PEFC organisation (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) has been promoting sustainable forest management and ensuring their long-term survival.

Thanks to the commitment of over 80,000 forest owners and 3,200 companies, PEFC promotes a balance between France's environment, society and the economy.

This dual certification certifies the forests as well as the companies that process the wood.

Opinel, a committed brand

Opinel has always and will continue to promote sustainability and respect for the environment and this ethos is a key part of the company's operating methods and strategy. When Joseph Opinel created his pocket knife in 1890, he wanted to offer a robust product that used nearby resources as sparingly as possible. The company has retained this philosophy, applying it to its current industrial process, new collections and commitments. By designing responsible products, i.e. products that are durable, have a limited impact and are of use, Opinel has a long-term vision and will ensure its continual existence.

Certification of beech and hornbeam

Thanks to the quality control directives of PEFC certification, Opinel has undertaken to implement PEFC wood traceability regulations to reassure consumers that its workshops use beech and hornbeam from PEFC-certified sustainably managed forests and controlled sources for the production of its knives. Opinel is particularly committed to preserving and promoting local heritage by sourcing wood from PEFC-certified forests in the Jura and Vercors regions and by working with regional PEFC-certified forestry and timber companies.

Presentation of the PEFC plaque

On 10 October 2024, Opinel officially received its PEFC certification and the plaque that was engraved in its workshops in Chambéry, at an event that celebrated its commitment to sustainable forest management and promoting local heritage.

It brought together various regional players, representatives from the forestry sector, as well as partners from Opinel and PEFC, to discuss the importance of taking action to promote sustainable forest management.

"We are extremely proud to have received PEFC certification for this project. We've been using certified wood for 12 years without being certified ourselves, and we also use packaging from PEFC manufacturers. Our certification confirms our commitment to the environment, which is also very important to our customers. Now certified for beech and hornbeam, we will promote this step forward on our products and gradually extend certification to other species. This approach reaffirms our desire to offer products that are durable and long-lasting.

- François OPINEL, Chairman of Opinel