FSC National Forest Stewardship Standard (FSC-STD-GBR-03-2017 V1-0) currently provides the formal basis for FSC forest management certification in the UK, however, most forest managers are more familiar with the UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS). UKWAS has a different, more user-friendly format, and omits the wording of the FSC Principles and Criteria but contains the same requirements. UKWAS was developed as a voluntary forestry standard in consultation with major social, environmental and forestry organisations in the UK and is complaint with both FSC and PEFC certification standards. Version 4 of UKWAS is compliant with FSC forest management requirements in the UK. UKWAS 4 is presently undergoing an FSC revision process.
Regarding the revision of UKWAS 4 and the adoption of UKWAS 5 by FSC and PEFC, FSC International have indicated that they have further feedback for the UKWAS Standard Revision Working Group to consider. This feedback is also subject to a delay due to other work having to be prioritised by FSC International, including the UK Country Risk Assessment process aimed at supporting UK businesses through the impending European Union Deforestation products Regulation (EUDR). FSC UK has also been advised that the UK standard is considered a complex standard and will need to be approved by the FSC member-based Policy & Standards Committee and this requires the standard to be subject to an additional third round of review by the FSC Performance and Standards Unit and this results therefore in an extended timeline.
Consequently, a publication date, for an FSC compliant UKWAS 5, of June 2026 has been proposed by FSC International.
This means FSC Forest Management Certificate Holders continue to be audited under the existing UKWAS 4 Standard.
PEFC UK, in accordance with the timeframe given to them by PEFC International, have completed their revision/endorsement process and have adopted UKWAS 5.0 as a PEFC-compliant standard for the UK with an effective date of 1st December 2024.
The implications for this are outlined below.
- PEFC Certificate Holders will need to complete an UKWAS 5 transition audit before the 1st December 2025 in accordance with the UKWAS Standard Setting Process.
- Until such time as the FSC revision process is completed FSC certificate holders will continue to be audited to UKWAS 4.
FSC UK remains committed to the UKWAS process and to the development of a revised joint (FSC and PEFC) standard for the UK, UKWAS 5. However, it is now likely that as well as different release dates that there will be differences between the FSC and PEFC requirements for UWKAS 5. While this was not the desired outcome, it is noted that this has been the case in previous versions of UKWAS for areas such as the requirements regarding pesticide use. We will continue working with UK partners and stakeholders to ensure that a joint standard is delivered and to achieve an earlier FSC approval date if possible.
While this means there is no change for FSC Forest Management Certificate Holders, in terms of their audits, we are keen to hear if you have any thoughts or suggestions on how FSC UK can help/support FSC Forest Management Certificate Holders during this period.
This article was last updated on 5 February 2025.