The Australian Forestry Standard for Sustainable Forest Management AS 4708 is currently under review.

The Australian Forestry Standard for Sustainable Forest Management AS 4708 is currently under review.

A Standard Review Committee (the Committee) has been established for this purpose and is responsible for the issue of a draft (DR AS 4708) for public comment. The Committee comprises representatives of organisations interested in the development and application of the proposed Standard.

The Committee is inviting comments from interested parties on the technical content, wording and general arrangement of the draft.

This is the second of two public comment periods before the final Standard is accepted and approved for publication.

The preferred method of submission of comment on this document is to complete the Stakeholder Feedback Form.

Please place relevant criterion or requirement numbers beside each comment.

Editorial matters (i.e. spelling, punctuation, grammar etc.) will be corrected before final publication.

It is convention for Standards that the international spellings apply, so for example words with optional z or s spellings use the z version.

Please provide supporting reasons and suggested wording for each comment. Where you consider that specific content is too simplistic, too complex or too detailed please provide an alternative.

If the draft is acceptable without change, an acknowledgement to this effect would be appreciated.

Completed forms are to be submitted to SRC AS 4708 Project Manager at PO Box 7031, YARRALUMLA, ACT 2603. Alternatively forms can be faxed to (03) 9470 3390 or emailed to . Your comments should be received by 1 October 2012.

All submissions will be acknowledged. If you don’t receive an acknowledgement within 7 days of submission please either resubmit it or contact the Project Manager at or by telephone at (03) 9470 3391 or 0428 408 144.

The Committee will consider all comments received by the due date.

Printed copies of the draft are available on request from the Project Manager at or by telephone at (03) 9470 3391 or 0428 408 144.

Australian Forest Standard Limited

Telephone: 02 6122 9000
Facsimile: 02 6281 3455

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.

The 5-yearly review of AS 4707 is due to begin this year, 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:

1. A capacity and authority to represent the interests of their organisational stakeholder interests
2. Be available to participate in all communications and activities of the committee in a timely manner
3. 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.

Referenced Documents are:

1. Draft for Public Comment DR AS 4708
2. Stakeholder Feedback Form