Unlike other industries that are based on the use of non-renewable natural resources or characterized by inherently polluting processes, timber comes from forests which are not only seen as wood suppliers, but also as a provider of a multitude of environmental and social services. Such services include the production of oxygen, absorption of carbon dioxide which reduces global warming, water quality and soil protection, recreational activities, beauty and scenery, conservation of biodiversity and others.

There is no more important principle in forest management than sustainability. Sustainable management mean harvesting is done in a way which preserves environment, social and economic values of stakeholders.

As part of the recent Regional Forest Agreement process, the WA government appointed an independent panel of experts to check on the sustainability of the level of timber harvest set out in the RFA. The panel confirmed the sustainability of the WA timber harvest.

Forest certification is a relatively new tool that serves to formally verify  that a forest is managed satisfying the social and environmental standards of stakeholders. Verification is done by independent third parties. Generally forest certification is associated with a chain of custody (CoC) certificate and associated brand or label linking the final wood product available to the consumer to the certified forests.

Forest certification systems in place around the world can be split into three endorsement systems or brands:

• Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC) which endorses many schemes around the world including the Australian Forestry Certification Scheme (AFCS)
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
• Other certification systems such as Malaysian Timber Certification Council, American Tree Farm System and the PAFC Gabon Forest Certification Scheme.

Most timber production forests in Australia, plantation and native, are certified to the Australian Standards of the Australian Forestry Certification Scheme with some certified against a Forest Stewardship Council interim standard. Some Australian forests are certified to both standards.

Within Western Australia, large areas of bluegum hardwood plantation are certified  using the FSC interim standard. Other forest industries in WA strongly support the standards of the AFCS and are working to ensure that all wood produced in WA meets the AFCS sustainable forest management standards.