Chain of Custody Certification

Chain of Custody tracks a forest or wood product from its origin in a certified forest through to its end use by the consumer. The Chain of Custody certification verifies that timber products are produced from certified, legal and sustainable resources. As such, Chain of Custody is a tracking process that provides an environmental assurance standard for the sustainable use of Australia’s forest resources.

Forestry Management Certification

State or private property forestry owners can apply for forestry certification to prove that they are managing their forests in a sustainable manner in accordance with recognised certification schemes, and in the case of AFS, according to an Australian Standard.

What does this mean for timber specifiers, users and future generations?

Chain of Custody certification (AS 4707-2006) confirms that timber is sourced from certified and legal sources and the company can prove traceability of its wood materials from the forest through to the sale of its products to customers.

Architects and specifiers can confidently specify timber products, sourced by Ecologic, on projects that require certified timber, knowing that the Australian Forestry Certification Scheme is the only forest certification scheme with an Australian Standard AS 4708-2007.

Builders can recommend certified timber products, sourced by Ecologic, knowing that they are sourced and manufactured from sustainably managed and legal resources. AFS certification covers 95% of Australian certified forestry providing confidence in an abundant supply of locally certified materials.

Consumers can rest assured that the timber used for their hardwood flooring, decking, hardwood structural framing or furniture has been legally sourced from sustainably managed resources.

Future generations can breathe easy knowing that the timber being harvested and regrown today provides a positive solution to climate change. Carbon absorption and storage by forestry and timber products plays a large role in positively affecting factors associated with climate change such as green house gas emissions. See page 4 for the full story on timber and Australian forestry.

The Australian Forestry Certification Scheme (AFCS) 

AFCS is a forest certification scheme developed to promote sustainable forestry management specifically for the Australian environment. AFCS is mutually acknowledged by the internationally recognised Program for the Endorsement of Forestry Certification (PEFC). The AFCS is the only forest certification scheme with an Australian Standard (AS4708-2007).

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

FSC certification is internationally recognised as the most rigorous environmental and social standard for responsible forest management. Its great strength lies in its ability to encourage dialogue between various sectoral interests. This partnership among business, the public sector, and civil society provides a unique tool for dealing with the issues surrounding forestry.