Suppliers must meet Australian Standards in order to supply timber and timber-based products to the Federal Government. Source: Timberbiz
Referenced as part of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 government departments are obligated to meet specific Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs) when selecting suppliers for timber and timber based products.
Among CPRs, government departments must now specify products that meet an available Australian Standard; which in the case of timber and timber based products is AS 4707 – Chain of Custody for Forest Products and AS 4708 – Sustainable Forest Management.
According to Responsible Wood CEO, Simon Dorries the Act represents a major commitment by the federal government towards the Australian Standards for Forest Management and Chain of Custody, as well as local businesses that support the Responsible Wood Certification Scheme (RWCS).
“Today, suppliers that claim through the Responsible Wood Certification Scheme will 100% satisfy the Commonwealth Procurement Rules set by the federal government,” Mr Dorries said.
“Suppliers that claim through Responsible Wood, or through PEFC – which is recognised through mutual recognition with Responsible Wood, will meet the requirements of the federal government for timber and timber-based products.
“The Responsible Wood Certification Scheme, or schemes such as PEFC which is mutually recognised by Responsible Wood, are the only certification schemes that complies with AS 4707 – Chain of Custody for Forest Products and AS 4708 – Sustainable Forest Management.”
Responsible Wood has developed a Fact Sheet The Australian Standards and Federal Procurement Rules which is readily accessible from the Responsible Wood website.
“The fact sheet is now available for download from our website, we also have a technical document with legal advice which will also be made available for our Responsible Wood members upon request,” Mr Dorries said.
Further information, including a copy of ‘The Australian Standards and Federal Procurement Rules’ is available at www.responsiblewood.org.au
