News on developments in Australia for advancing the certification of timber products and something in advance of the 2013 Stakeholder Dialogue, part of the Forest Certification Week, brought to you by PEFC, the world’s largest forest certification system, to join concerted efforts to foster and expand sustainable timber supply chains in Asia. True to his own sustainability commitment, Ken Hickson insisted that “Race for Sustainability” was printed on PEFC certified paper, making it the first book totally produced in Singapore and the first from publisher World Scientific to have the PEFC mark. Read More

AFS Seeks Public Comments on the New Australian Standard for Chain of Custody

20 September 2013:

Australian Forestry Standard Limited (AFS Ltd) has put out a call for public comment on the draft revised Australian Standard® for Chain of Custody for Forest Products (AS4707). AFS Ltd is the PEFC-endorsed national forest certification system for Australia.

This Australian Standard underpins the traceability of wood from well-managed forests into the wood and paper products used every day and, along with the Australian Standard for Sustainable Forest Management (AS4708), it is a key component of the Australian Forest Certification Scheme (AFCS).

“The Australian Forest Certification Scheme is recognized as a world class forest certification system,” said Mr. Peter Zed, Chairman of the AS4707 Standards Reference Committee. “The chain of custody standard is a vital component of the AFCS system, because it ensures that forest certification claims made on forest products are valid and can be verified.”

The Standards Reference Committee was established to carry out the review of the current standard. The Committee is comprised of experts with relevant skills and expertise and from a broad range of organizations involved in the production and distribution of forest products, including furniture, paper and building timbers.

“These organizations are keen to get public feedback on how the revised standard can be further improved,” Mr. Zed explained. “Key stakeholders have already commented on the draft, and now we are inviting the public to provide their input.”

The review process is being undertaken in accordance with Standards Australia procedures. AFS Ltd is accredited as a Standards Development Organization and can therefore develop and review Australian Standards® in accordance with the procedures. Compliance with the procedures is subject to audit by the Accreditation Board of Standards Development Organizations.

Further Information

The draft revised standard and comment form can be downloaded from the AFS Ltd website

Comments should be submitted by 8 November 2013

http://www.pefc.org/

PEFC Forest Certification Week 2013

Advancing Sustainable Trade in Asia

Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (11-15 November 2013)

Asia’s forest industry has grown massively over the past 15 years gaining international recognition for production of forest based products. This has triggered a tremendous interest in providing evidence of sustainable forest management through forest certification, with an emphasis on bottom-up, national forest certification systems that are independently managed at local level.

As a result, interest in PEFC, the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, is rapidly increasing, with Malaysia being the first country in Asia to have achieved PEFC endorsement already in 2009. China joined PEFC in 2011, and the endorsement process of its national system is currently ongoing. Indonesia is the latest country to become a PEFC member, with other countries such as Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam evaluating the value and benefits that PEFC holds for their respective countries.

In recognition of the growing importance of Asia, PEFC is holding its first ever PEFC Week in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 11-15 November 2013.

The event, organized with the support of the Malaysian Timber Certification Council, combines a range of events, from the 4th Annual PEFC Stakeholder Dialogue (14-15 November 2013), training seminars, and side events, open to all, to the 18th PEFC General Assembly and associated workshops (11-13 November 2013), open to PEFC Council members and invited guests.

Asia holds the key to unlocking the production and trade of sustainable forest products. Participate in the 2013 Stakeholder Dialogue, part of the Forest Certification Week, brought to you by PEFC, the world’s largest forest certification system, to join concerted efforts to foster and expand sustainable timber supply chains in Asia. Learn about the opportunities and enabling conditions to mainstream sustainable production & trade in the region. Discuss how current bottlenecks can be addressed to drive sustainability solutions forward.

PEFC’s Stakeholder Dialogue (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 14/15 November 2013) will bring together up to 250 diverse stakeholders and key actors across forest sector landscape to engage in solutions-oriented discussions. The Dialogue is part of the PEFC Forest Certification Week, which also features the 18th PEFC General Assembly and associated workshops (11-13 November 2013, open to PEFC Council members and invited guests).

Meet regional and global experts on sustainable forest management, forest certification and supply chain management.

Hear perspectives from different sectors along the timber supply chain.

Discuss the status and forecast for sustainable forest production & trade in Asia.

Share your views on how to increase awareness of and benefit from domestic markets for responsibly sourced products.

http://www.pefc.org/pefc-week-2013/home