FSC approves world’s first national Controlled Wood Risk Assessment – Australia leads the way
On 8 July 2009, FSC IC approved the world’s first national risk assessment for sourcing FSC Controlled Wood from Australia. The risk assessment is mandatory for all companies sourcing FSC Controlled Wood from any Australian native forest or plantation.
FSC Australia has paved the way to ensure the consistent performance of FSC Controlled Wood standards on the ground while harnessing stakeholder support in the country. The risk assessment was developed by a multi-stakeholder team of experts elected by FSC Australia.
Following a broad stakeholder consultation process that began in mid-2008, the FSC Australia Board of Directors approved the document in May 2009 and submitted it to FSC IC for approval.
The risk assessment comes into immediate effect for companies seeking to identify risks of sourcing Controlled Wood from Australia to comply with the FSC Standard for Company Evaluation of FSC Controlled Wood (FSC-STD-40-005 (Version 2-1). Companies already sourcing Controlled Wood will have a period of up to 12 months to align their verification programs to the new requirements.
FSC accredited certification bodies are responsible for informing their clients of the new changes and enforcing the new requirements. The assessment will soon feature in the FSC/NEPcon Global Forest Risk Registry.
FSC Australia Controlled Wood risk assessment (pdf)
Read FSC's statement on Controlled Wood
Contact FSC Australia for more information on the risk assessment
