Meet Your Certified Supplier
At Responsible Wood, our mission is to develop and promote sustainable forest management and the responsible sourcing of forest products through independent, third-party certification. Recently, our Sustainability Manager, Matt de Jongh, visited Australian Panels’ NSW Central Coast site, reinforcing our shared commitment to sustainability and responsible forestry.
Who is Australian Panels?
Australian Panels is the market leader in manufactured board products for joinery and structural applications, with over 30 years of experience serving the Australian joinery and construction industries. Known for innovation and quality, their product range includes flooring, wall panels and joinery components engineered to withstand Australia’s demanding climate. Products manufactured at Australian Panels’ facilities are sustainably grown, made, and owned in Australia, reflecting a deep understanding of local needs and environmental management.
Commitment to Sustainability
A cornerstone of Australian Panels’ operations is their dedication to sustainable sourcing and manufacturing. The company continuously invests in state-of-the-art machinery and manufacturing to ensure its products are not only robust and durable but also environmentally responsible. Their timber products are sourced from certified, sustainably managed forests and controlled sources, demonstrating their commitment to minimising environmental impact.
Australian Panels’ CEO, Jim Snelson, explains,
“Our products are designed with the unique Australian environment in mind. We ensure that our offerings are crafted to meet our sustainability objectives, balancing ecological, social, and economic needs.”
Responsible Wood Certification
Responsible Wood, the Australian national governing body for PEFC International, plays a key role in promoting sustainable forest management through certification in Oceania. During his visit, Matt highlighted the importance of this certification:
“Our mission is to uphold globally recognised standards for sustainable forest management. Observing Australian Panels’ operations firsthand reinforces our belief that Australia’s forests, and the products derived from them, are among the most sustainably managed in the world.”
Responsible Wood certification ensures that forest products meet stringent requirements for ethical timber harvesting and sourcing. This certification provides consumers with confidence that the wood products they purchase are not only environmentally sound but also socially responsible and economically viable.
Certified Quality and Innovation
Australian Panels is committed to leading the market with products that meet the ever-changing demands of lifestyle and construction. By integrating cutting-edge production and manufacturing, they ensure that their panels remain at the forefront of durability and sustainability. This innovative spirit is supported by continuous investment in research and development, allowing the company to craft solutions that exceed industry expectations.
The Importance of Certification
During the visit, the importance of chain of custody certification was emphasised, highlighting its role in promoting sustainably sourced forest products. Certification systems like Responsible Wood and PEFC ensure that forest products are sourced responsibly, supporting biodiversity and contributing to the fight against climate change and deforestation. By adhering to these standards, companies like Australian Panels demonstrate their commitment to protecting the environment while meeting the growing demand for sustainable building materials.
Strengthening Collaboration
The visit to Australian Panels further strengthens the partnerships between Responsible Wood and its certificate holders. By collaborating closely with certified organisations and industry leaders, we can further promote the adoption of sustainable sourcing practices, better understand stakeholder concerns, and deliver relevant certification standards across the region. This type of collaboration is vital in driving positive change and ensuring that all stakeholders, from forest managers to consumers, realise the benefits of sustainable forestry.
The Role of Responsible Wood
As an Australian not-for-profit organisation accredited to develop standards by Standards Australia, Responsible Wood manages the PEFC certification standards and brand in Australia and New Zealand. Our standards are developed in line with international best practices, ensuring that certified products meet the highest levels of sustainability. Through third-party certification, the Responsible Wood Certification Scheme offers credible assurance that forest products are sourced responsibly, supporting environmental conservation and the principles of sustainable development.
Matt de Jongh goes behind the scenes at Australian Panels.
Interested in Certification?
The recent visit to Australian Panels by Responsible Wood’s leadership team underscored the importance of being on the ground when it comes to sustainability and responsible sourcing in the timber industry. Australian Panels’ commitment to these principles, along with their innovative products and certified quality, sets a benchmark for others to follow. At Responsible Wood, we remain dedicated to promoting sustainable forestry practices and leading the development of world-class standards for sustainable forest management, ensuring a sustainable future for our forests and communities.
For more information on Responsible Wood and our certification standards, please click here.
