‘Representatives from Australia and New Zealand meet to discuss AS/NZS 4708 as historic Trans-Tasman forestry standard moves a step closer…’
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, representatives from up to 26 different organisations participated in a teleconference instead of face to face due to New Zealand travel restrictions.
Following three full days of meetings, March 16 to March 18 2020, Responsible Wood CEO, Simon Dorries, reflected on what has been a productive round of talks.
‘Our latest round of meetings marks an important milestone for the standards reference committee, the fourth meeting of the full committee, and we are working towards presenting a draft standard for public comment later this year,’ Mr Dorries said.
The new standard will be developed as a fully recognised joint Australia and New Zealand standard, will be accepted by PEFC International and will meet the system requirements for a fully-fledged JAS-ANZ accredited Sustainable Forest Management system.
‘This is highly unique, the new standard will cover Sustainable Forest Management and will underpin PEFC forest certification in Australia and New Zealand.”
‘The new standard will be an endorsed Australian and New Zealand Standard, it can be used for PEFC and / or Responsible Wood claims and it can be used to meet timber legality requirements for import and export,’ Mr Dorries said.
The standards reference committee is due to meet again at a date soon to be determined.
For more information about Sustainable Forest Management or the standard development process please contact Responsible Wood.
