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Woodland Certification

Cawdor Forestry has been at the forefront of woodland certification since it was introduced to the UK in 1999. We piloted the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme (UKWAS) to test its effectiveness and helped Cawdor Estate to become the first major estate in Scotland to achieve certification. Since then we have assisted many private woodland owners in reaching the required standards.

Our approach makes it

Affordable
We offer clear advice on the best value and most
appropriate methods of achieving certification.

Straightforward
We provide all the systems and documentation
needed to complete the process, reducing the time
and complexity of meeting the UKWAS requirements.

Beneficial
Improving standards of forest management can also
help to reduce overall costs and improve returns for
the woodand owner.

What is Certification?
Woodland certification was introduced to the UK in 1999 to meet growing consumer demand for proof that products come from sustainably managed forests. It involves the independent assessment of forest management against the UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS) which is recognised by international forest certification schemes such as FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Pan European Forest Certification). Wood products from UKWAS certified forests can therefore carry the label of one of these widely known schemes.

The demand for certified timber has grown considerably over the last five years, with both central and local government now seeking to buy timber from legally logged and sustainably managed forests. Approximately 40 per cent of the UK's forest area has achieved certification.

UKWAS Explained
The UK Woodland Assurance Standard was developed by a group of forestry and environmental organisations to provide a standard for certification relevant to UK woodlands and which satisfies the standards required by both the FSC and PEFC. The UKWAS guidelines - in a total of around 40 pages - cover every aspect of forest management from planning to harvesting. When the standards required have been met, the woodland owner or manager can apply to be assessed by one of several independent certification bodies. This involves an initial detailed audit followed by annual audits for the next five years after which another detailed audit is required.

Benefits of Certification
With increasing demand for certified timber in what is already a competitive market, woodland owners risk losing access to markets if they do not have certification. There are often, though, real cost benefits to achieving certification standards. Improving management planning and day to day operational practices can create valuable efficiencies and help ensure compliance with industry standards and legal obligations such as health and safety.