Notes to Users

The UK Woodland Assurance Standard is the certification standard for verifying sustainable forest management used by both the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).

The version of the UKWAS standard currently adopted by each scheme is as follows:

• PEFC uses the new UKWAS 5.0 as from 1st December 2024
• FSC uses UKWAS 4 until FSC approval is achieved for a UKWAS 5

There is a one-year transitional period for existing PEFC certificate holders to transition from UKWAS 4 to UKWAS 5.0. Further information can be obtained from your group scheme manager, the certification schemes or your certification body.

UKWAS formats

Document: the PDF-formatted version is designed for use as a portable paper document that can be downloaded and printed by the user.

MS Word: users requiring a plain text document in MS Word format for their use in preparing bespoke certification documentation can request a copy from the UKWAS Support Unit.