5 YEARLY REVIEW OF THE STANDARDS - AS 4708 and AS 4707
To ensure the Australian Standard meets national and global benchmarks and considers business capability and capacity to comply, a revision of the each Standard is conducted every 5 years.
The revision requires that national stakeholders and interested parties be involved in the process of standard-setting and decision-making to ensure that the Standards are adapted to meet
local cultural, socio-economic, physical, biological, climatic, and geopolitical realities while at the same time meeting internationally-recognised benchmarks for sustainable forest management the wood products supply chain.
It is important that Stakeholders and all interested parties and the public are aware that there is one Australian Standard for Sustainable Forest Management and one Australian Standard for Wood & Wood Products supply chain in Australia.
A Public Meeting was held on 4th Nov 2010 TOPIC:Standards Reference Committee AS 4708
BRIEFING NOTES FROM THE PRSENTATION
The Australian model for Standards development under Standards Australia, as recognised by the Government as Australia's peak Standards body, coordinates standardisation activities, develops
internationally aligned Australian Standards® that deliver Net Benefit to Australia. Standards Australia also facilitates the accreditation of other Standards Development Organisations (SDO) to do the same.
There are only five Standards Development Organisations recognised and accredited in Australia. Australian Forestry Standard Limited is an accredited SDO and the only recognised organisation
that has the scope to develop Australian Standards in the forest and wood product related areas.
The Australian Forestry Standard Limited (AFSL) announces the commencement of the 5-yearly revision process of the Australian Standards for Sustainable Forest Management (AS 4708) and Chain of Custody of wood and wood products (AS 4707).
The revision of the Australian Standard for Forest Management, AS 4708, is commencing this year (2010) and will be a concentrated and collaborative process spanning 2 years. We also require that forest management activities shall be conducted in recognition of the established framework of legal, customary and traditional rights,
which shall not be infringed upon without the free and informed consent of the holders of the rights.
Click on image to download SRC Nomination Form.
The revision of the Australian Standard for Wood & Wood Products Chain of Custody, AS 4707, is commencing this year (2010) and will be a concentrated and collaborative process spanning 18 months.
The intensive public participation plan for both projects will fully engage all stakeholders groups and interested parties within and connected to sustainable forestry management.
Couple this with rigorous adherence to international processes and guidelines, as well as an emphasis on science and evidence, these review projects will ensure that these internationally
recognised Australian Standards continue to be regarded as the most credible and robust forest certification and supply chain tools.
Responsibility of the reviews and ultimate decision making powers will reside with Standards Reference Committees (SRC), one for each Australian Standard. SRCs members will consist of representatives who cover scientific,
environmental, social, economic and cultural aspects of sustainable forest management and wood production in Australia.
Call for nominations from representative national organisations, industries bodies and stakeholders to participate on the SRCs are being mailed out and will be advertised in leading publications.
There are many places that need to be filled and AFSL is ensuring that all interested parties are aware of their ability to be involved either on the committee or through public consultation.
Please read the following information relating to each revision project, if you would like more information or have any queries please contact us:
Producers of forests in Australia can demonstrate their social and environmental credentials by adopting the Australian Standard for
Sustainable Forest Management (AS 4708).
Under Australian Standards procedures it is compulsory to conduct 5-yearly
reviews thus the announcement by the Australian Forestry Standard Limited (AFSL) to initiate the revision of this Australian Standard.
The revision of the Australian Standard in Sustainable Forest Management is expected to take 2 years to complete and will involve an intensive and
transparent stakeholder engagement process. Central to this will be the important decision making functions of the Standards Reference Committee
(SRC) for Sustainable Forest Management, SRC-4708.
The intensive public participation plan for the revision will fully engage all stakeholder groups and interested parties within and connected to sustainable
forestry. Couple this with rigorous adherence to international processes and guidelines, as well as an emphasis on science and evidence, the review will
ensure that this internationally recognised Australian Standard continues to be regarded as the most credible and robust forest certification tool.
Roles and responsibilities of Standards Reference Committees
Responsibility of the reviews and ultimate decision making powers will
reside with the Standard Reference Committee (SRC) for Sustainable Forest Management. SRC members will consist of representatives who cover
scientific, environmental, social, economic and cultural aspects of sustainable forest management in Australia.
Broad roles and responsibilities of SRC members include:
A capacity and authority to represent the interests of their organisational stakeholder interests
Be available to participate in all communications and activities of the committee in a timely manner
Participate in the decision making process related to all parts of Standards revision
Information about the nomination process to the Standards Reference Committee for Sustainable Forest Management
The SRC for Sustainable Forest Management will be compiled of up to 20 voluntary members consisting of a balance of forest owners and managers,
forest-based industry, environment, community and consumer interests in Australia. Business and company representatives through to individuals with an
interest, knowledge and relevant skills may nominate for SRC representation.
The composition of the SRC is very important and creating a balance in representation will be critical to the success of the review. The selection
process for SRC nominations will be rigorous and aim to capture the broadest possible spectrum of interests.
Preference to SRC nominations will be given to representatives from within the membership of national organisations, who are both experienced in forest
management certification and can represent the interest of that national body.
Selected individuals will be knowledgeable in forest management sector and have the capacity to contribute to the many responsibilities of SRC membership.
SRC members will be asked to draw upon their specialised knowledge in forestry and understanding of the processes required in Standards compliance and
management systems development and work collaboratively through SRC tasks.SRC participation will require a significant time commitment throughout the review.
How do I nominate for membership on the SRC-4708?
You can register your interest to be involved in the revision by emailing:
OR
You can download the Participation Kit for membership on the Standards Revision Committee SRC-4708
Producers of wood and wood products can adopt the Australian Standard for Chain of Custody (AS 4707) to track all steps in the supply chain and verify forest source to end use
Under Australian Standards procedures it is compulsory to conduct 5-yearly reviews. The 5-yearly review of AS 4707 is due to begin this year,
thus the announcement by the Australian Forestry Standard Limited (AFSL) to initiate the revision of this Australian Standard.
The revision of the Australian Standard in Chain of Custody for wood and wood products is expected to take 18 months to complete and will involve
an intensive and transparent stakeholder engagement process. Central to this will be the important decision making functions of the Standards
Reference Committee (SRC) for Chain of Custody.
The intensive public participation plan for the revision will fully engage all stakeholder groups and interested parties within and connected to the wood
products value chain. Couple this with rigorous adherence to international processes and guidelines, as well as an emphasis on science and evidence,
the review will ensure that this internationally recognised Australian Standard continues to be regarded as the most credible and robust forest supply chain certification tool.
Roles and responsibilities of Standards Reference Committees
Responsibility of the reviews and ultimate decision making powers will reside with the Standard Reference Committee (SRC) for Chain of Custody. SRC members
will consist of representatives who cover scientific, environmental, social, economic and cultural aspects of the value chain of wood and wood products.
Broad roles and responsibilities of SRC members include:
A capacity and authority to represent the interests of their organisational stakeholder interests
Be available to participate in all communications and activities of the committee in a timely manner
Participate in the decision making process related to all parts of Standards revision
Information about the nomination process to the Standards Reference Committee for Chain of Custody
The SRC for Chain of Custody for wood and wood products will be compiled of up to 15 voluntary members consisting of a balance of forest-based
industry, environment, community and consumer interests in Australia. Business and company representatives through to individuals with an
interest, knowledge and relevant skills may nominate for SRC representation.
The composition of the SRC is very important and creating a balance in representation will be critical to the success of the review. The selection
process for SRC nominations will be rigorous and aim to capture the broadest possible spectrum of interests.
Preference to SRC nominations will be given to representatives from within the membership of national organisations, who are both experienced in chain
of custody certification and can represent the interest of that national body.
Selected individuals will be knowledgeable in the wood and wood products industry sector and have the capacity to contribute to the many
responsibilities of SRC membership. SRC members will be asked to draw upon their specialised knowledge of the supply chain and understanding of
the processes required in Standards compliance and systems development and work collaboratively through SRC tasks. SRC participation will require
a significant time commitment throughout the review.
How do I nominate for membership on the SRC-4707?
You can register your interest to be involved in the revision by emailing:
The Participation Kit will be uploaded shortly.
REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
Other Reference Documents, include, but not exclusive, are:
Standards Development Procedure 05 - Standards Reference Committees - Reimbursement of Travel Expenses
Corporate Management Procedure 08 - Standards Reference Committee – Procedures for Complaints and Grievances
Standards Development Procedure 08 - Standards Reference Committees - Procedure for Achieving and Demonstrating Consensus
Australian Forestry Standard Limited is an accredited Standards Development Organisation under Standards Australia
business model and certified by the Accreditation Board for Standards Development (ABSDO).
Certification against the Australian Standards are done by 3rd party conformity assessment bodies (CABs) accredited under the International Accreditation Organization (IAO) accreditation scheme.
Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ) is the government-appointed accreditation body for Australia and New Zealand responsible for providing accreditation
of CABs in the fields of certification and inspection.
Accreditation by JAS-ANZ demonstrates the competence and independence of these CABs.
