UKWAS Revision underway

A revision of UKWAS 4 is now underway following a recommendation from a working group established to review the current UKWAS standard and determine whether it needs revision. In reaching its recommendation, the working group considered evidence gathered from stakeholders.

The revision has been registered with both the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) certification schemes which use the UKWAS as the core element of their UK forest certification programmes.

The UKWAS steering group appointed a chamber-balanced working group reflecting economic, environmental and social interests to take forward the review and revision exercise. The working group, chaired by Peter Wilson, aims to produce an initial revision draft for stakeholder consultation in March. A further draft will then be prepared and a second round of consultation will begin in October.

The aim is for a new fifth edition of the UKWAS standard to be effective from April 2023.

Notes

• A detailed step-by-step UKWAS review and revision plan & timetable document which includes the phases of the review and a timetable is available to view or download: https://ukwas.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/UKWAS-5-Review-Revision-Plan-Timetable-FINAL-21.05.20.pdf