Since 2007, WWF has collaborated with these villages and Lao forestry authorities to set up a sustainable rattan management system. This process was driven by international buyers who are eager to sell FSC certified rattan furniture. Because there were no existing standards for FSC certification of rattan, the SmartWood Generic NTFP Certification Addendum and Lao Sustainable Forest Management Standards were used as a starting point, and adapted to fit the context.