FSC is now able to provide clarity with regard to the revision of UKWAS 4 and the adoption of UKWAS 5 by FSC and PEFC.
FSC International have indicated that they have further feedback for the UKWAS Standard Revision Working Group to consider and aim to provide their assessment in November. They are requesting that the UKWAS Revision Working Group then look to respond within a 6-week period, after which the revised draft will be considered by FSC International.
This means that for the time being, and into 2025, FSC Forest Management Certificate Holders will continue to be audited under the existing UKWAS 4 Standard.
PEFC UK, in accordance with the timeframe given to them by PEFC International, have completed their endorsement process and are able to move forward with the adoption of UKWAS 5 as a PEFC-compliant standard for the UK with an effective date of 1st December 2024.The pre-publication text of this PEFC-only version of UKWAS 5 (UKWAS 5.0) is available on the UKWAS website here.
The implications for this are outlined below.
- UKWAS 5.0 will be released as a PEFC-only compliant standard on the 1st December 2024 (the ‘effective date’).
- PEFC Certificate Holders will therefore need to complete an UKWAS 5 transition audit before the 1st December 2025 in accordance with the UKWAS Standard Setting Process.
- Until such time as the FSC revision process is completed FSC certificate holders will continue to be audited to UKWAS 4.
FSC UK remains committed to the UKWAS process and to the development of a revised joint standard for the UK, UKWAS 5. However, it is now likely that as well as different release dates that there will be differences between the FSC and PEFC requirements for UWKAS 5. While this was not the desired outcome, it is noted that this has been the case in previous versions of UKWAS for areas such as the requirements regarding pesticide use.
While this means there is no change for FSC Forest Management Certificate Holders, in terms of their audits, we are keen to hear if you have any thoughts or suggestion on how FSC UK can help/support FSC Forest Management Certificate Holders during this period.