Certification visit well packaged for PEFC Chief
We pioneered the development of certification standards for wood and wood products sourced from sustainably managed forests in Australia. Our standards provide guidance and accountability for forest managers, manufacturers and suppliers.
We manage the Responsible Wood Certification Scheme which is underpinned by two Australian Standards®:
We also manage the New Zealand Forest Management Scheme on behalf of the New Zealand Forest Certification Association (NZFCA). The Scheme is underpinned by two standards:
Both certification schemes are endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), the global authority on sustainable forest management.
*Responsible Wood, is a not-for-profit standards development organisation [formerly known as Australian Forestry Standard Ltd].
AS / NZS 4708 – Sustainable Forest Management
The Australian and New Zealand Standard® for Sustainable Forest Management (AS / NZS 4708) provides forest managers with economic, social, environmental and cultural criteria and requirements that support management of forests for products and services.
The Australian and New Zealand Standard® for Sustainable Forest Management (AS / NZS 4708) is developed in accordance with Responsible Wood Standards Development Policies and Procedures and have been accredited as Australian Standards®.
The Standard is used by all participants in the Responsible Wood certification scheme.
AS 4707 – Chain of Custody of Forest Products
The Australian Standard® for Chain of Custody of Forest Products (AS 4707) provides all organisations in the wood or forest products certification chain with the minimum criteria and requirements to implement a credible system. This system tracks wood or forest products originating from certified forests through all phases of ownership, transportation and manufacturing to the end consumer.
The Australian Standard® for Chain of Custody of Forest Products (AS 4707) is developed in accordance with Responsible Wood Standards Development Policies and Procedures and have been accredited as Australian Standards®.
The Standard is used by all participants in the Responsible Wood certification scheme.
AS/NZS 4708:20XX – Sustainable Forest Management principles
In December 2021, Responsible Wood published the new AS/NZS 4708 – Sustainable Forest Management principles standard. The new standard underpins the Responsible Wood sustainable forest management scheme in Australia and the PEFC sustainable forest management scheme in New Zealand.
The Standard, and a summary of major changes can be downloaded from the Responsible Wood website.
AS / NZS 4708:2021– Sustainable Forest Management principles
Summary of major changes to AS / NZS 4708:2021
Chain of Custody, PEFC ST 2002
This standard lays out the requirements for chain of custody certification for forest and tree based products – the conditions a company must meet in order to achieve PEFC certification. During the certification process, the certification body will assess the company against the requirements set out in this document. If the company complies, they will receive their PEFC chain of custody certificate.
PEFC chain of custody establishes the link from the forest to the market, tracking forest and tree based products from sustainable sources to the final product. In addition, this standard includes management requirements, including on health, safety and labour issues.
Chain of Custody, PEFC ST 2002:2020
The revised 2020 version of this standard replaced the previous 2013 version on 14 February 2020. The transition date is 14 August 2022. After this, companies still certified against the 2013 version will need to prepare their system according to the 2020 version, in preparation for certification against this version during their next external audit.
Chain of Custody, PEFC ST 2002:2013
PEFC Chain of Custody – Introduction to changes
