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Australian Forestry Standard
The AFCS currently consists of:
- The Australian Forestry Standard [AS 4708(Int) - 2003]
- The Chain of Custody Standard [AS 4707 - 2006]
- The JAS-ANZ Australian Forestry Standard Certification Program
- The JAS-ANZ Product Certification Program including AFS Limited's CoC Scheme Rules
- The Logo Use Rules Manuals for the AFS and PEFC Logos
The major strength of the AFCS, when compared to other forest certification schemes, is its separation of the main elements of the certification scheme ie standards development, accreditation and certification.
In the AFCS, the elements of standards development, accreditation and certification are undertaken by:
- Standards development Australian Forestry Standard Limited
- Accreditation - The Joint Accreditation System of Australian and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ)
- Certification - independent, third-party, Australian certification bodies with three organisations for the AFS and one organisation for CoC at present
- Labelling and claims - Australian Forestry Standard Limited.
It is the framework of the AFCS which pulls together these organisations in the delivery of Australia's only national forest certification scheme.
Forest Management
The forest management standard under the AFCS is The Australian Forestry Standard [AS 4708(Int)2003]. The AFS is currently under a review process relating to its status as an Interim AS with the review expected to be completed around the latter part of 2006. The reviewed AFS will be provided to Standards Australia for process approval seeking recognition and publication as a full Australian Standard in early 2007.
Forest Products
The Chain of Custody Standard [AS 4707 2006] allows for the tracking of forest products through the supply chain under the AFSC.
Labelling and Claims
An organisation certified against the AFS or CoC Standard can access the AFS logo as a CTM to both label its forest management or forest products and to make certain claims especially in relation to forest products. The AFS logo has been recognised by IP Australia with registration number 984827 and has been approved by the ACCC as a CTM.
The AFS logo is available under a commercial agreement from Australian Forestry Standard Limited which has a manual to outline its rules of usage in relation to labelling and claims. The certified organisation is provided with a unique registration number that can be identified with its product in the marketplace.
The AFS logo is a visible demonstration of certification to either the AFS and/or the CoC Standard and as a mechanism to present the organisation's certification credentials to customers, stakeholders, shareholders, Government and its agencies and the general consuming public.
Small Grower
Australian Forest Growers, in association with Central Victorian Farm Plantations and the then NSW Office of Private Forestry through the consultancy firm URS Forestry, has developed a package for small forest owners and managers which can facilitate certification under the AFS for either individuals or groups. SMARTimbers (Victoria) participated in the project to assist in developing the templates for individuals or groups which can now found on the AFG website.
International Recognition
The AFCS has been endorsed by the PEFC under its mutual recognition framework for nationally developed forest certification schemes and it joins 30 other members on the PEFC Council and also joins 21 of those members (including Australia) being endorsed PEFC schemes including schemes from Brazil, Canada, Chile and the USA. It is expected that further European, South American, Asian and African countries will become members over the next few years.
The endorsement process was undertaken by an international, independent consultant and included a review of all AFCS documentation, an in-country visit by the appointed consultant, in-country meetings with various stakeholders and consideration of comments from an international 60 day public comment period.
As the AFCS is an endorsed scheme, Australian Forestry Standard Limited has an agreement with the PEFC International to provide the PEFC logo, under a commercial arrangement, to certified organisations under the AFCS for those organisations to use either with or instead of the AFS logo in key markets recognising the PEFC brand. The PEFC logo is also registered as a Trademark in Australia.
Further information can be found on the AFS website.