Public comment is now being sought on an amendment to Australian/New Zealand Standard for Sustainable Forest Management (AS/NZS 4708:2021). Developed by Responsible Wood, AS/NZS 4708 sets out requirements for sustainable forest management in Australia and New Zealand. It forms part of the Responsible Wood Certification Scheme and supports PEFC-endorsed certification…
Curious about the review of the AS/NZS 4708 Sustainable Forest Management Standard that’s currently underway? As part of his ‘Forest Facts with Matt’ series, which explores common questions and misconceptions about forest management and certification, Responsible Wood’s Sustainability Manager Matt de Jongh interviewed our CEO Simon Dorries to explore some…
Have you registered for the free Sydney Build Expo 2026 being held later this month? Responsible Wood’s Sustainability Manager Matt de Jongh will be speaking at the event, leading the Sustainable Timber in Construction Workshop at the event’s Sustainability Stage. The Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns, is…
Biodiversity plays a vital role in maintaining healthy forest ecosystems. Monitoring species, habitats and ecological conditions helps forest managers understand forest health and adapt management practices over time. Under the AS/NZS 4708 Sustainable Forest Management Standard, Responsible Wood–certified forest managers must identify, protect and monitor environmental values across the forests…
The review of the AS/NZS 4708 Sustainable Forest Management Standard is progressing well, with the Significant Biodiversity and Indigenous Working Groups recently meeting to map key information and next steps. The Significant Biodiversity Working Group confirmed key definitions and ensured the Standard’s performance requirements remain aligned with the purpose of…
With a growing awareness of and appreciation for sustainably sourced timber across the broader community, we wanted to take a moment to reintroduce ourselves, and the work we do. Responsible Wood is Australia’s national forest certification scheme, providing assurance that forest and wood-based products are sourced from sustainably managed forests…
On Saturday 21 March, we marked the International Day of Forests. Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012, the day celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests. In 2026, the UN established ‘forests and economies’ as the annual theme, recognising the essential role…
Join us at Sydney Build Expo 2026 on 29-30 April, a free event that will bring together 700+ exhibitors, 750+ speakers and 16 CPD-accredited conference stages. Showcasing Australia’s latest projects, technologies and solutions from across the entire construction and design ecosystem, including dedicated Government and Architecture hubs, the Sydney Build…
Students at Ryde Secondary College in Sydney recently explored the science, values and career pathways behind sustainable forest management during a visit from Matt de Jongh of Responsible Wood and Beth Welden from ForestLearning. The session examined how environmental processes and interconnections – from climate, soil and water systems to…
Last week, Responsible Wood CEO Simon Dorries joined Timber Queensland’s webinar Sustainability by Design: The Impact of Certified Timber in the Built Environment, speaking to an audience of more than 300 built environment professionals about the role they play in ensuring timber used in construction is responsibly sourced. Certification underpins…
