FSC in Australia

Controlled Wood Risk Assessment

Information on the FSC Australia Controlled Wood Risk Assessment

The Board of FSC Australia has instigated a working party of experts selected by the three Chambers (Social, Environmental and Economic) to develop a formal Risk Assessment for ‘Controlled Wood’ in the Australian context. This Controlled Wood Risk Assessment will provide guidance to both companies and certification bodies seeking to identify risks in accordance with the FSC Standard for Company Evaluation of FSC Controlled Wood (FSC-STD-40-005 (Version 2-1)). The group has completed a preliminary review and now seek submissions from stakeholders on the issues.

The six members of the working group are:

Professor Rod Keenan

Professor Jerry Vanclay

Dr. Brendan Wintle

Steve Mueck

Dr. Anne Wallis

Chris Loorham

(Chair: Kevin O'Grady)

After the intitial draft was released in September, the Board of FSC Australia has decided to extend the submission period by 60 days due to apparent confusion regarding the process underpinning the Risk Assessment and the links between this process and the National Standard development process. In particular, how the treatment of high conservation values (HCV) in the controlled wood risk assessment is a precedent for the development of National Standard criteria for Principle 9 (dealing with HCV Forests)

Submissions can now be made up until Tuesday, January 20th, 2009.

Click here for more infomation and to access the FSC Australia Controlled Wood Risk Assessment Draft 1-5 (234 kb)

Reference Documents:
FSC Standard for Company Evaluation of FSC Controlled Wood (FSC-STD-40-005 Version 2-1) (226 kb)