UKWAS was created in 1999 as an independent certification standard for verifiable sustainable woodland and the revision has been underway for nearly two years.
Executive chairman Peter Wilson said: “UKWAS has become an established part of the UK forestry scene and has undoubtedly contributed to raising the standard of woodland management. The second edition was again developed by a multi-stakeholder steering group taking full account of responses to a public consultation.”
Mr Wilson said the changes reflected a greater understanding of the complex issues facing the industry in addition to updating and clarifying changes that have taken place.
“The revision process has involved nearly two years’ hard work by the UKWAS steering group and I am confident that UKWAS will continue to serve a vital role in enabling producers to demonstrate their good credentials to consumers,” Mr Wilson said.
“The steering group’s priority for 2007 is making the standard more accessible for owners and managers of small woodlands.”
UKWAS was created to provide a single common standard for use within the forest certification programmes that operate in the UK and is the basis for schemes operated by the FSC and PEFC.
The new edition is available for download on the organisation’s redesigned website (www.ukwas.org.uk), which was overhauled and updated in preparation for the launch.
