FSC Updates Australia’s Controlled Wood Standard for EUDR Rollout

FSC International has launched the first overhaul of Australia's Controlled Wood National Risk Assessment since 2019 — expanding risk categories from five to 12 and doubling indicators to 64 as operators prepare for EU deforestation compliance.

Wood Central
Wood Central
Thu 12 Mar 26
A mechanical harvester stacks freshly cut logs at an Australian forestry operation. FSC International has launched the overhaul of Australia's Controlled Wood National Risk Assessment, the framework governing how timber sourced from non-certified forests is assessed for supply chain risk ahead of EUDR compliance deadlines. (Photo credit: © Andreas Weiss / FSC Australia and New Zealand — supplied for Wood Central / Central PR use.)
A mechanical harvester stacks freshly cut logs at an Australian forestry operation. FSC International has launched the overhaul of Australia's Controlled Wood National Risk Assessment, the framework governing how timber sourced from non-certified forests is assessed for supply chain risk ahead of EUDR compliance deadlines. (Photo credit: © Andreas Weiss / FSC Australia and New Zealand — supplied for Wood Central / Central PR use.)

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Forestry’s gold standard is being updated in Australia, with FSC International launching the first overhaul of the country’s Controlled Wood National Risk Assessment since 2019. That is according to a statement from FSC Australia and New Zealand, which confirmed the revision formally began in February 2026.

The NRA governs how FSC-certified operators evaluate timber sourced from non-certified forests. Its revision follows the FSC Risk Assessment Framework, published in 2024, and brings Australia in line with FSC policies and European Union Deforestation Regulation requirements for the first time.

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The updated framework expands the risk categories from 5 to 12 and increases the number of indicators from 32 to 64. Most new indicators break down existing ones in greater detail. Seven cover areas not previously assessed.

The EUDR requires companies placing timber on the EU market to verify that those products carry no deforestation links — a compliance bar Australia’s 2019 risk assessment was not designed to meet.

Melbourne-based consultancy Gandan Yarnings has been engaged to lead the revision. Tim McBride will manage the process, assisted by Tolita Davis-Angeles and Kevin Haylock, with support from FSC ANZ throughout.

The project runs to six stages through to December 2026:

  • February 2026 — Report to FSC International assessing the need to update the 2019 NRA. (Completed)
  • March 2026 — Submit Draft 1 of the revised NRA to FSC International for review.
  • June–July 2026 — 30-day public consultation on Draft 1 of the revised NRA.
  • August 2026 — Submit the consultation report and Draft 2 to FSC International for review.
  • September 2026 — Submit the final draft of the revised NRA to FSC International for review.
  • December 2026 — Submit the final revised NRA to FSC International for approval.

It comes as Wood Central has reported on the EUDR’s rolling compliance impact on Australian timber exporters, with certification bodies globally moving to update deforestation due diligence frameworks ahead of the regulation’s enforcement.

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  • MASTER BRAND MARK POS RGB e1676449549955

    Wood Central is Australia’s first and only dedicated platform covering wood-based media across all digital platforms. Our vision is to develop an integrated platform for media, events, education, and products that connect, inform, and inspire the people and organisations who work in and promote forestry, timber, and fibre.

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