Tuesday, 10 May 2016
Major milestone in forest stewardship standard revision
© FSC UK / C. DaviesThe UK Woodland Assurance Standard, or UKWAS, is the standard used in FSC forest management certification in the UK. The standard is being revised to take account of stakeholder views and current circumstances, including changes to FSC’s international Principles and Criteria.
Following more than two years of work, a Final Draft of the UKWAS 4th Edition has been completed by the UKWAS Steering Group.
UKWAS Executive Chair, Peter Wilson says: ‘I am absolutely delighted that the Steering Group has now concluded a Final Draft: UKWAS 4 represents the most comprehensive review of UKWAS since its 1999 launch.'
‘With the user in mind, the main thrust in the revision has been to introduce a more logical ordering of sections including a rationalisation and re-ordering to create five new sections and greater clarity on the status of requirements, verifiers and guidance. I am confident that users will find that UKWAS 4 is a much more user-friendly document.’
Forest Standards Manager Dr Owen Davies has represented FSC UK during the revision process.
‘The UKWAS Steering Group is to be congratulated for reaching this important milestone,’ says Owen. ‘Group members have worked together constructively to reconcile some quite different viewpoints, and the Final Draft of UKWAS 4 is a terrific testament to their combined efforts.’
For FSC UK, the next stage is vital.
‘Now we have to prepare the standard for submission to FSC International,’ explains Owen. ‘That means demonstrating how UKWAS fulfils the Principles and Criteria and describing the rationale for some of the Steering Group’s decisions. It’s then up to the Policy and Standards Committee to make a decision on the approval of the standard.’
‘Users should be aware that some further changes might be requested by FSC,’ notes Peter, ‘but the target is for UKWAS 4 to be confirmed and published in late 2016.’
Copies of the Final Draft, including a version with tracked changes showing the most recent amendments, is available on the UKWAS website alongside the Consultation Report setting out Steering Group responses to the issues raised by consultees and a Quick Guide explanation of the changes – see www.ukwas.org.uk/documents.