Simon Dorries and NZFCA’s Jon Tanner with Standards NZ
Fresh from returning to Australia after meetings in Wellington, Napier, Gisborne and Auckland, Simon Dorries, Responsible Wood CEO said he has been ‘blown away’ by the response of New Zealanders towards developing a new Trans-Tasman forestry standard. Responsible Wood is working with the New Zealand Forest Certification Association, the National Governing Body for New Zealand forest certification, Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand to develop the joint standard for sustainable forest management. Source: Timberbiz
“This has been a long time in the offing, the new standard will be a truly joint standard that will be mutually recognised in Australia as well as in New Zealand,” Mr Dorries said.
Taken aback by the New Zealand response, Mr Dorries advised that New Zealanders have been leading by example when it comes to participation in the development of the historic standard.
“The response from New Zealanders has bested our own expectations, we are still formalising the makeup of the standard development committee but we anticipate a balance of Australian and New Zealand stakeholders on the final committee.
“With a healthy mix of industry, labour representation and community, social and environmental interests,” Mr Dorries said.
Meeting with the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries, the Wood Processor’s and Manufacturer’s Association, Standards New Zealand and a range of Responsible Wood and PEFC certificate holders, forest certification is playing an all important role in verifying legality of New Zealand timbers.
“Timber legality, and the importance of verifying the origin of timber at the source, is all important in the timber export market,” Mr Dorries said.
“PEFC certification, through its extensive audit process and embodied by international recognition and mutual endorsement, can be recognised to verify the source of timber and ensure that forests are managed in accordance with an endorsed New Zealand standard.”
For more information about Responsible Wood Sustainable Forest Management, Chain of Custody for Forest Products or Responsible Wood certification more generally please contact Responsible Wood or visit the Responsible Wood website. For media enquiries please contact Jason Ross from Responsible Wood on (07) 3359 1758, [email protected]
