Q. What do AFCS and AFS stand for?
A. Australian Forest Certification Scheme and Australian Forestry Standard.
Q. What is AFS?
A. The Australian Forestry Standard (AFS - as contained in AS 4708-2007) drives the Australian Forestry Certification Scheme under the control of Australian Forestry Standard Limited which is an independent organisation. Forestry owners may apply for AFS certification, which certifies that their forest meets the Australian Forestry Standard. The Australian Forestry Certification Scheme (AFCS) is the only forestry certification scheme in Australia with an Australian Standard - AS 4708-2007.
Q. Is AFCS part of an international organisation?
A. Yes, the AFCS is mutually acknowledged by the PEFC, which stands for Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes. PEFC is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation which was founded in 1999 and promotes sustainably managed forests through independent third party certification. It is the world's largest Forest Certification scheme.
Q. What is forestry certification?
A. State or private property forestry owners can apply for forestry certification to prove that they are managing their forests in a sustainable manner in accordance with recognised certification schemes, and in the case of AFS, according to an Australian Standard.
Q. How many forestry certifications are there in Australia?
A. Two – the Australian Forestry Certification Scheme (AFCS) and the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC). The certifications demonstrate that harvested products have originated from sustainably managed resources in accordance with the respective criteria applied by the AFS or FSC.
Q. What are the main differences between AFS and FSC?
A. AFS has been specifically designed for Australian conditions and the AFS certification covers more than 95% of Australian certified forestry, making AFS certified products easier to source.
Q. Is there a difference between Forestry certification and Chain of Custody certification?
A. Yes, State and private property forests can voluntarily apply for forest management certification while producers, such as Boral Timber, can voluntarily apply for Chain of Custody certification.
Q. What is the difference between AS4707-2006 and AS4708-2007?
A. AS4707-2006 is the Chain of Custody Standard for manufacturers of timber products. AS4708-2007 is the AFS Standard governing forest management certification.
Q. How is Chain of Custody audited and awarded?
A. The Boral Timber Chain of Custody Certification is awarded through an independently audited process carried out by the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA), as accredited by JAS-ANZ. The AFS and Chain of Custody certifications are not controlled by the timber industry and the AFS reports into the international PEFC as an independent body.
Q. Why is it important to have a Chain of Custody Certification?
A. Supporting sustainably managed resources is vital for the long term future of our natural resources and it is important that wood product users are assured that their products are sourced from sustainable and legal resources.
Q. Are Boral Timber products sourced from certified and legal sources?
A. Yes, Boral Timber sources its raw hardwood materials from Forests NSW, which is AFS-certified, and private property providers that have provided proof of legally sourced timber.
Q. Can Boral Timber provide proof that its products are sourced from sustainably managed resources?
A. Yes, through the Chain of Custody certificate - Boral Timber Hardwoods (AFS/01-31-38), Boral Timber Softwood (AFS/01-31-74), Boral Plywood (AFS/01-31-21), Boral Sawmillers Exports (AFS/01-31-12).
Q. As Boral Timber sources its timber from sustainably managed forests in New South Wales, does this mean that if I buy certified Boral timber from other states e.g. in Western Australia, it will still be certified?
A. Yes, if labelled as a Boral Timber certified product.
For further information about AFS Chain of Custody certification and PEFC visit
www.forestrystandard.org.au and
www.pefc.org.
For sources and references
click here.
