Standard Development underpins busy year for Responsible Wood

PEFC International CEO Ben Gunneberg delivers keynote address at hybrid Annual General Meeting (AGM).

DELIVERING the keynote address at the Responsible Wood AGM on Tuesday, PEFC International CEO Ben Gunneberg provided members with an update about PEFC’s global initiatives.

Amongst key initiatives include the development of regionalised PEFC hubs as well as a greater focus in advocacy in areas of packaging, construction, furniture, textiles, and rubber.

Responsible Wood is an engaged member of the Asia Pacific Collaboration Hub with Responsible Wood CEO Simon Dorries the current chair of the hub.

In addition, Responsible Wood welcomed Kellie Northwood, CEO of the Real Media Collective to discuss the Australian Love Paper Campaign and Gib Wettenhall, a recipient of the Responsible Wood Community Grants, who both addressed the AGM.

Speaking at the Responsible Wood AGM, hosted virtually in Brisbane, Responsible Wood Chair Dr Hans Drielsma AM spoke about the development of new standards, the roll out of Community Grants and commitment to promote PEFC in export markets. Dr Hans Drielsma AM explains:

“A major focus over the last year has been the revision of our two Standards for Sustainable Forest Management and Chain-of-Custody.”

“We rolled out the Community Grants Program, which was a great success with six community organisations working in partnership with certified forests funded across four States.”

“And furthering our commitment to the promotion of PEFC in export markets, we partnered with our Australian certificate holders, PEFC International and PEFC Japan in the recruitment of a full-time marketing resource to support suppliers in the Japanese market,” according to the Chair Report.

Launching the Responsible Wood Statement on Management of Australia’s Native Forest, Dr Hans Drielsma AM noted pressures to remove wood product as a future option from Australia’s certified native forests, at a time when preserving such options becomes more important to meet the challenges of our future world.

“We will increase our focus on building relationships and engagement with our members, certificate holders and wider stakeholders to develop understanding and commitment to SFM, to our SFM standards and the RW trust mark,” according to the Chairman’s Report.

The AGM appointed David Little, CEO of TABMA from the Supply Chain by ballot and thanked retiring directors Patrizia Torelli, CEO of the Australasian Furnishing Association, and Judy Alexander, Managing Director of Foresa Consulting, for their service.

In addition, Independent Chair Dr Hans Drielsma AM was re-elected for a new term following a special resolution by the members.

Continuing as directors on the board are Mark Thomson, Architect, Eco-Effective Solutions, Mark Gauthier, General Manager of Safety, Environment and Risk, HVP Plantations, Craig Smith, National Divisional Assistant Secretary, CFMMEU (manufacturing division), Katie Fowden, Strategic Relations Manager, Hyne Timber, Stuart West, CEO, Forest Products Commission Western Australia and Dr Tony Bartlett, Managing Director of Bartlett Forestry Consulting.

Reflecting on Responsible Wood activities, as outlined in the organisation’s annual review of activities for 2020-21, CEO Simon Dorries spoke about the new SFM and Chain of Custody standards.

“Following a comprehensives review, the revised AS 4707 Chain of Custody of Forest and Tree Based Products was approved for publication in September 2021.”

“Responsible Wood will soon release a transition-policy assisting certificate holders transitioning to the new standard.”

“In addition, the revised AS 4708 Sustainable Forest Management standard has now been approved for publication and will be published as a AS / NZS 4708 standard in late 2021,” Mr Dorries said.

Announcing the 2021 Richard Stanton Memorial Prize for Sustainable Forest Management to Kieran Gosden, Mount Gambier Ranger for ForestrySA, Simon Dorries reflected on the winner’s sustained commitment to sustainable forest management and certification standards.

Mr Dorries said Kieran has gone above and beyond to ensure that the principles of Sustainable Forest Management are enforced with a special interest in not only forest, but native vegetation management around our forest areas.

“Kieran involvement with conservation groups in preserving the endangered Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, in establishing biodiversity corridors, and in the development of the acclaimed Ghost Mushroom Lane and ‘Dry Caving’ experience was especially noteworthy.”

For further information please download the Responsible Wood Annual review of activities for 2020 – 2021.