Environmental credentials pass international test
From the Spring 2006 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
Forests NSW environmental management system (EMS) is a demonstration of the organisation’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Photo Michael Wee/Forests NSW Image Library.
Forests NSW new environmental management system (EMS) has been found to meet international standards after an independent assessment by Det Norske Veritas.
Det Norske Veritas, one of the world’s leading certification organisations, recently audited and passed Forests NSW system to the ISO14001:2004 standard.
Forests NSW acting chief executive, Alastair Howard, said the development of Forests NSW EMS had been underway for a number of years, with a concerted effort to meet international standards made over the past year.
“Forests NSW EMS is about complying with legal requirements, limiting the environmental impact of our activities, improving our operational efficiency and fostering a culture of continual improvement,” Alastair said.
“Meeting the international standard for environmental management systems places us in a firm position to seek forest certification by the end of 2006.”
The concept of forest certification was initiated about ten years ago by environmental non-government organisations as part of efforts to stop unsustainable and often illegal logging practices occurring in some parts of the world.
“As a leader in sustainable forest management and a part of the global forestry community, we will be seeking forest certification,” Alastair said.
“This will give an independent and rigorous assurance of sustainability to the consumers of timber products that come from New South Wales State forests.”
Forest Management, Sydney
