The AFCS And Forest Sustainability

Australian Forest Certification Scheme (AFCS) forests are independently (third party) certified for environmental, social and economic sustainability, and are managed and harvested in accordance with all relevant State and Australian government environmental regulations.

Furthermore, AFCS forests are managed in accordance with the international requirements of the PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes, www. http://www.pefc.org/internet/html/index.htm), an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation, which provides certified proof of sustainable management.

Sustainable management of forests ensures that the amount of timber that grows back each year is greater than, or equal to, the amount harvested. Ecological sustainability in forests is ensured by management practices such as the maintenance of a high percentage of carefully planned reserves and special habitats to preserve endangered species, biodiversity, soil and water quality.

Credibility, Availability And Supply

If AFCS certified wood and wood based products is passing through a chain of processors and manufacturers, the Chain of Custody (CoC) standard and audits to the standard exist to ensure proof of origin. The AFCS through its AFS logo or PEFC logo provides you, your organisation and your customers with an assurance that the wood or timber based product specified for a fit out, renovation, addition or construction project has been sourced from a sustainably managed forest and tracked through the supply chain to ensure it maintains an unbroken chain of custody.

Audits of Chain of Custody must be done annually to retain certification, and the independence of these audits is assured by JAS-ANZ or IAF accredited certification bodies. AFCS certified wood and wood based products are high quality, cost effective, Australian grown, and readily available in a large range of species and products, such as decorative veneers, timber framing and flooring.

SO, if you want your business or your organisation's business to promote timber based products which can be tracked back to sustainably managed forests, look for and specify AFS and PEFC labelled products.