The Tasmanian Government recognises the significant benefits that
Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) certification could bring to the
native forest industry.
Both Australian and Tasmanian governments
provided funding to support Sustainable Timber Tasmania in seeking FSC
certification and the Australian Government is supporting FSC Australia
to develop a national standard.
Forest Certification is a
voluntary process by which the planning and implementation of forest
operations are audited by a qualified independent third party. Producers
that attain certification are able to provide consumers with wood
products with an assurance that they were sourced from sustainably
managed forests.
Sustainable Timber Tasmania holds certification
from the other large international forest certification body, the
Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) through its
certification by the Australian Forestry Standard (AFS).
FSC has
been recognised as an international organisation that provides a system
for different stakeholders interested in forest issues to work towards
responsible forest management. In providing this system, FSC promotes
environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically
viable management of the world’s forests.
In March 2016, an audit
report confirmed Sustainable Timber Tasmania is meeting more than 90 per
cent of the indicators required for FSC certification. Sustainable
Timber Tasmania continues to work towards FSC certification.
Further details on the FSC certification process can be found on STT's website.