NEWS
UKWAS Revision Cycle Update
The UKWAS standard is routinely reviewed and, if deemed necessary, revised on a five-year cycle so that the revision process is concluded no later than the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date for the previous version.
The standard is substantially based on the requirements set out in the UK Forestry Standard and the two global forest certification schemes. In this way, the standard provides a basis for continuous improvement, independent auditing and accredited certification under the FSC and PEFC schemes thereby demonstrating that wood and non-wood forest products are responsibly sourced.
As many will be aware, there have been delays in FSC International’s approval process for UKWAS 5. This will be completed in 2027, but it means that the planned commencement date of 31st July 2026 for the next periodic review and revision of UKWAS 5 cannot be met.
Therefore, the UKWAS steering group has unanimously agreed to pause the revision process until such time as there is sufficient clarity to determine a revised timetable.
Looking ahead, PEFC International currently requires that the next UKWAS review commences no later than 30th June 2027. However, this is subject to change because PEFC International is encouraging national bodies to align their standards with the European Union’s EUDR requirements. In addition, PEFC International recently announced that they are to review and potentially revise their SFM benchmark standards against which the UKWAS Standard is endorsed; this might mean that national standards will need to be revised to a specific timeline.
UKWAS Chair, Ben Gunneberg, said:
‘We are facing a significant challenge with the timing of our next UKWAS revision because of certification scheme priorities at international level.
‘To help keep us on track, the steering group has called a pause and is working closely with both FSC and PEFC at UK level to determine a workable timetable for the next revision. We are also looking to synchronise the currency of our standard for FSC and PEFC as this is currently out of alignment.
‘We will of course keep our stakeholders informed of developments.
‘Meanwhile, PEFC certificate holders should continue using UKWAS 5.0 and FSC users should continue using UKWAS 4.’
Notes:
The setting of the UKWAS standard is undertaken by a consensus-driven and chamber-balanced working group representing economic, environmental and social stakeholders. The standard is substantially based on the requirements set out in the UK Forestry Standard and the two global forest certification schemes.