Last week, Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) released a report assessing and comparing Australia’s two forestry certification schemes: Responsible Wood (endorsed by PEFC); and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Importantly, the report noted both schemes deliver credible outcomes.
Both schemes help ensure consumers can be confident that forest and wood-based products are deforestation free, follow an ethical supply chain and support local communities along with climate and sustainable development goals.
This confirms what we see every day: certification is central to ensuring Australian forests are managed responsibly and allows businesses across the supply chain to demonstrate their credentials in delivering certified products to an increasingly sustainability-conscious world.
The report highlights one of the key differences between the two schemes: the Responsible Wood scheme is tailor-made for Australian and New Zealand’s unique conditions and operating environment.
Our standards are developed from the ground up, drawing on PEFC’s international benchmarks while embedding the strict laws and codes of practice already in place locally. This ensures everything from biodiversity, cultural heritage and fair employment practices to soil and water conservation are addressed in a way that reflects how forestry is practiced here. Our scheme and standards are designed for the Australian operating environment, while aligned to international criteria and indicators with endorsement through PEFC. Locally relevant, internationally recognised.
While the report showcases the great work being done, this isn’t a time to rest on our laurels. Instead, we’re preparing to commence a periodic review of our standards (and invite industry feedback), including re-endorsement through PEFC International. Doing this every 5 years ensures our Standards keep pace with the latest science, technology and community expectations.
At the end of the day, the report illustrates the most important point: both schemes exist to keep our forests, communities and industries safe. While the schemes operate independently, Responsible Wood and FSC have shared common goal: good forest management. And that’s something we’re proud to put our mark on.
View the report on the FWPA website: https://fwpa.com.au/report/a-review-of-forest-management-and-chain-of-custody-certification-in-australia/
