SCS Global Services (FSC-accredited certification body based in California) has issued an open invitation for stakeholder input regarding VicForests' application for endorsement under the FSC Controlled Wood Standard for Forest Management Enterprises. The audit of VicForests in relation to this standard, will be conducted by SCS Global Services.  Stakeholders are invited to comment via email.

Watch this space for RFPG submission, coming shortly.

The detailed Controlled Wood Standard for Forest Management Enterprises (FSC-STD-30-010) is here. 

See SCS report from 2017 on VF stewardship of the Central Highlands and West Gippsland here.  SCS issued three Corrective Action Requests (CARs):

CAR1: VicForests must revise its stakeholder consultation strategies and methodologies in order to more effectively engage a wide cross section of stakeholders including those individuals and organizations that hold adverse views regarding VicForests’ compliance with the Code of Practice and other applicable regulations.

CAR 2: VicForests must review and revise its timber harvest planning and operations procedures for the purpose of more effectively avoiding threats to high conservation values.

CAR 3: VicForests must build upon the November 2017 Management of High Conservation Values document in order to demonstrate that:

1. areas and resources that meet the FSC definition of High Conservation Values are being effectively and competently detected and delineated; and,
2. the company’s forest management operations are, in fact, avoiding adverse impacts (threats) to high conservation values present on its forest estate.

See March 2019 presentation by VF on its campaign for controlled wood certification.   

VF's campaign for CW certification rests heavily on its new High Conservation Values Strategy and Harvesting and Regeneration Strategy. See RFPG 30 June 2019 comment on these two strategies. 

For a broader picture of forest regulation in Victoria see RFPG's regulatory map and our summary of recent and current policy initiatives (note: hover and link).

More information about FSC and SCS can be obtained from www.fsc.org and
www.SCSglobalServices.com. Information about VicForests can be found at
http://www.vicforests.com.au.