Responsible Wood has published the latest version of the AS4707 standards for chain of custody. Reviewed by Responsible Wood every five years, the standard was approved for publication following review by the AS 4707 standards reference committee and working group chaired by Peter Zed. Source: Timberbiz
Businesses that achieve AS 4707 chain of custody certification are able to identify and provide Responsible Wood and/or PEFC certified wood or wood products.
Customers of these businesses can reward and encourage good forest management by demanding products from certified forests and suppliers rather than other sources.
“With more than 300 chain-of-custody certified companies in Australia, the AS 4707 standard has a tremendous impact on internal management processes of businesses along the timber value chain,” Responsible Wood CEO Simon Dorries said.
“The standard provides organisations in the wood or forest products certification chain with the minimum criteria and requirements to implement a credible system.
“The standard incorporates the latest knowledge, best practices, and evolving stakeholder expectations.”
Mr Dorries said the system tracked wood or forest products originating from Responsible Wood-certified forests through all phases of ownership, transportation, and manufacturing to the end consumer.
The AS 4707 standard reference committee and working group has revised the AS 4707 standard to align with changes in the chain-of-custody rules for PEFC ST 2002:2020 and trademark-requirements and PEFC ST 2001:2020 trademark rules.
Responsible Wood is the governing body in Australia for PEFC International, the world’s largest forest certification authority with more than 20,000 companies certified under the chain-of-custody standard.
PEFC provides mutual recognition across a diverse number of countries allowing effective and efficient access to international markets.
It also provides best practice international benchmarks for sustainable forest management ensuring that global forests are protected while providing environmental, economic and social benefits.
The reference committee and working group includes the Association of Accredited Certification Bodies, Australian Forest Products Association, Australian Institute of Packaging, Omega Consulting, Timber Development Association, Tasmanian Forest Products Association, the University of Melbourne, the Victorian Forest Products Association, and the Women in Forestry Network.
A copy of the new standard is available for download at www.responsiblewood.org.au or download it here
