Responsible Wood is aware of claims questioning the integrity of the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) forest certification scheme in relation to an Australian retailer’s timber supply arrangements.
Claims that PEFC-endorsed certification “allows illegal logging”, is “dodgy”, or harms endangered species are incorrect and misrepresent how forest certification operates in Australia.
The foundation of PEFC certification is timber that is sourced legally, deforestation free and has followed an ethical and responsible supply chain, which has been verified by a recent independent review commissioned by Forest & Wood Products Australia. The system includes 215 different sustainability indicators including biodiversity, cultural heritage and environmental and social safeguards that forest managers must meet to maintain certification.
Further, an independently audited process exists to ensure continual improvement where non-conformances are met with corrective actions, with escalation to suspension or withdrawal of certification if not addressed.
As the national governing body for PEFC in Australia, Responsible Wood supports credible assurance systems that build confidence in responsible forest management and verified supply chains. We stand by PEFC-endorsed certification as a robust, audited framework and remain committed to continual improvement through transparent standard-setting and independent oversight.
More information: A system to ensure legal and responsible timber harvest and supply
Responsible Wood is the national governing body for the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) in Australia. We’re accredited by Standards Australia to develop and maintain endorsed Australian standards through a transparent, multi-stakeholder process aligned to international sustainability benchmarks set by PEFC and embedded within Australia’s environmental laws and regulatory frameworks.
PEFC is the world’s largest forest certification framework, covering approximately 300 million hectares globally of sustainably managed forest, all of which is subject to independent audit and oversight.
Australia’s PEFC-endorsed Responsible Wood standard includes more than 215 sustainability indicators covering legal compliance, biodiversity, cultural heritage, and environmental and social safeguards that forest managers must meet to maintain certification. The Australian Government, through their timber legality framework, also recognises this certification under the illegal logging laws and prohibitions.
Supporting integrity of the system, forest managers are audited by independent, third-party certification bodies against the PEFC-endorsed Responsible Wood standard. Those auditors are themselves independently accredited by the joint Australia and New Zealand accreditation body (JASANZ) to ensure audits are technically competent, impartial and conducted to international standards. Where non-conformances with Standards are identified, corrective actions are required and can escalate to suspension or withdrawal of certification if not addressed. Forest managers in Australia must also demonstrate that they comply with strict regulations and legislations that govern forestry operations -laws that include provisions for the protection of plants and animals. These laws are enforced through regulatory compliance and can result in prosecution where breaches occur.
A recent independent review commissioned by Forest & Wood Products Australia assessed the global forest certification schemes operating in Australia, including Responsible Wood, finding both deliver credible outcomes. The review confirmed that forest certification supports deforestation-free supply chains, ethical practices, community outcomes and climate goals.
If issues are identified by independent, third-party certification body during an audit, this reflects the value of certification in detecting, correcting and strengthening forest management over time. The same is true for issues flagged by forest managers as a result of self-assessment proactively carried out to ensure compliance. Independent auditing and oversight exist to surface issues, address root causes and support continual improvement.
Responsible Wood supports credible, independent assurance systems that build confidence in sustainable forest management and verified supply chains. We stand by PEFC-endorsed certification as a robust, independently audited framework and remain committed to continual improvement through transparent standard-setting and independent oversight.
