VicForests today released the FSC Controlled Wood Standard audit report developed on the basis of fieldwork conducted in November last year. Source: Timberbiz
In a statement released this morning VicForests says that although this work was unable to be completed due to the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19), remaining challenges arising from last summer’s bushfires and ongoing legal issues, the feedback from the auditors has been incorporated into our ongoing improvement processes.
The implications of the VicForests statement are that the audit – incomplete as it was – again failed to grant FSC status to VicForests.
“VicForests operates under some of the most rigorous regulations in the world, and since 2007 it has been certified by the Responsible Wood certification scheme endorsed by the International Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification – the largest forest certification system in the world,” a VicForests spokesman said.
“VicForests remains committed to pursuing the FSC Controlled Wood Standard certification process at an appropriate time.”
VicForests says it remains committed to demonstrating compliance with international standards for forest management certification and will undergo a further assessment by Responsible Wood auditors in the next 12 months.
