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Standard |
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2005/10/24
The Standard sets out the requirements which woodland
owners have to meet in order to achieve UKWAS
certification and the Means of Verification (the objective
evidence) which certification bodies will look for during
an audit to check that the requirements are being met.
Main requirements
The Standard is arranged in 8 sections. The requirements
are summarised in the following table:
1. Compliance
Compliance with relevant laws and regulations and with the requirements of the UKWAS
Standard.
2. Management planning
Documentation of management plan, sustained yield of timber and non-timber forest products,
monitoring of progress and impacts, and review of the management plan.
3. Forest design: creation, felling and replanting
Environmental impacts of plans assessed and taken into account, new woodlands appropriately
located and designed, even-aged woodlands restructured, appropriate species and silvicultural
systems used, felling and restocking designed in accordance with relevant guidelines, and
conversion to non-forest land only takes place when ecologically desirable.
4. Operations
Environmental impacts of operations assessed, relevant permissions obtained, measures taken to
protect special features, implementation of operations monitored, and forest roads appropriately
designed and properly maintained.
5. Protection and maintenance
Risk of damage from wind, fire, pests and diseases is minimised, tree health is monitored, wild
mammals are managed appropriately, use of synthetic chemicals minimised, genetically modified
organisms are not used, appropriate steps are taken to prevent pollution.
6. Conservation and enhancement of biodiversity
Areas and features important for biodiversity are safeguarded and where possible enhanced,
game management does not cause long term impacts on the woodland ecosystem, deadwood
habitats are provided, semi-natural woodlands are conserved and where possible enhanced.
7. The Community
Local communities are consulted, traditional and permissive use rights are maintained and some
provision is made for public access, adverse impacts on local people are minimised.
8. Forest Workforce
Health and safety standards are implemented, staff and contractors are properly trained,
employees are allowed freedom of association and collective bargaining. |
| author:http://www.forestry.gov.uk/ |
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