Responsible Wood has launched a formal review of AS/NZS 4708, the joint Australian and New Zealand Standard for Sustainable Forest Management, inviting stakeholders across both countries to participate in shaping the next iteration of the benchmark.
The standard, which currently covers approximately 17 million hectares of forests across Australia and New Zealand, is updated every five years to ensure alignment with global best practice. The latest revision will be conducted in partnership with Standards New Zealand and will incorporate the updated PEFC benchmark requirements outlined in PEFC ST 1003:2024.
“This standard will strengthen the benchmarks for sustainable forest management, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this effort,” said Simon Dorries, Responsible Wood’s long-serving CEO. “I encourage stakeholders to get involved in this important process.”
As a result, Responsible Wood is calling for nominations to join the AS/NZS 4708 Standards Reference Committee and Working Groups. Eligible stakeholder categories include forest growers, business and industry, Indigenous peoples, non-government organisations, scientific and technology communities, workers and trade unions, and local authorities. The review aims to deliver a robust, trans-Tasman standard that supports both commercial and conservation outcomes, while maintaining certification under Responsible Wood’s Forest Management System and the PEFC framework.
Further details on the project scope and nomination process are available via Responsible Wood’s Standards Development Proposal, with procedural information outlined in the Standard Setting Policy and Procedures.
