About
The UK Woodland Assurance Standard is managed by a multi-stakeholder partnership. Membership is open to organisations representing stakeholder groups and associate membership is open directly to stakeholders. All stakeholders are invited to contribute to the five-yearly revision process.
Partnership is central to the UKWAS spirit. Our standards are developed on a consensus basis through an inclusive multi-stakeholder process: the launch of the standard in 1999 was a landmark event for forestry in the UK that cemented a strong and enduring partnership between the organisations and individuals involved.
Full membership of UKWAS is open to organisations representing the full spectrum of interests of the UK’s forestry, environmental and social communities including those who work in woodlands or use them for recreation.
Associate membership of UKWAS is open to stakeholders such as commercial enterprises (e.g. forest management companies, wood-processing companies, certification bodies, retailers and traders), societies and woodland initiatives.
To find out about becoming a UKWAS member please contact the UKWAS Support Unit.
UKWAS review working group
The UKWAS standard is reviewed and, if necessary, revised every five years. The three year review process was announced on 1st July 2020.
Steering group representatives manage and plan the process. Made up of volunteers, an independent working group of standard-users and stakeholders has been appointed to conduct the review. The working group is chamber-balanced to take economic, environmental and social considerations into account and is supported by technical experts.
The review concluded that a full revision was necessary. The revision is underway with UKWAS 5 planned to be in effect from 1st April 2023.
See our News section for details and consultation opportunities.
UKWAS review stakeholder Forum
All standard-users and stakeholders can take part in the revision through a Stakeholder Forum. Forum members are be kept up to date and receive public consultation opportunities. There are three formal opportunities for stakeholders to contribute but the working group may also invite input on specific issues as they arise.
To join the Stakeholder Forum, contact ukwas@ukwas.org.uk. Please include a few lines on your relevant interests to help us understand the composition of the Stakeholder Forum.
Other task groups
The steering group can also set up task groups to consider particular topics in detail. Those with relevant expertise are welcome to participate.
- UKWAS Standard-setting Process – Version 3.0 (17.12.2019)
- UKWAS 5 Review & Revision Plan & Timetable FINAL (21.05.2020)
Members
Associate Members
Governance
The Company
The UKWAS standard is owned by a company called “United Kingdom Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS)”. The company is independent, limited by guarantee and controlled by Members on a not-for-profit basis. The company is registered in Scotland: registration number SC199337.
“to own, interpret, develop and promote a certification standard for forest management in the United Kingdom on behalf of United Kingdom forestry and environmental communities, and bodies which represent the interests of people working in woods and forests or using them for the purpose of recreation, for the general benefit of people”.
The Steering Group works on a consensus basis and the interests of all stakeholders carry equal weight. It protects the UKWAS name, maintains and interprets the standard and ensures its periodic revision. It appoints a Board of Directors, an Interpretation Panel as a permanent committee and task groups on a task-and-finish basis.
Directors
- Richard Howe (Chair)
- Stuart Wilkie (Economic constituencies)
- Elaine Dick (Social constituencies)
- Andrew Sharkey (Environmental constituencies)
Company secretary
- Fiona Angier
Our Steering Group works with the Forest Stewardship Council and PEFC to align the UKWAS standard with their requirements. Working arrangements and roles were formalised by Concordats between our Steering Group, FSC UK and PEFC UK in 2007. Updated Concordats were signed at the AGM in September 2013.
The Steering Group’s work is facilitated by a Support Unit funded by contributions from the Members of the Company – to find out more please contact the UKWAS Support Unit.
Previous annual reports can be viewed in the document library.
Trademarks
‘United Kingdom Woodland Assurance Standard’ and ‘UKWAS’ are registered trademarks.