2. Use of the standard

This certification standard has been designed primarily for use in the certification of UK woodlands by independent certification authorities. It may also be used in conjunction with an ISO 14001 environmental management system to provide performance targets. Full conformance with the certification standard is voluntary. However, an independent third-party evaluation by an accredited certification authority (sometimes referred to as a ‘certification body’ or ‘certifier’) is necessary to confirm conformance, in order to obtain a certificate. No woodland owner or manager is required by law or regulation to undergo such an audit. However, it should be noted that some requirements of the certification standard are also required by law, and so must be complied with by all woodland owners/managers. Other requirements are a condition of the Forestry Commission and Northern Ireland’s Forest Service grants and felling licences and must be complied with by all relevant licensees and grant-holders.

The structure of the certification standard relates to the way in which management is implemented in the woodland, addressing specific aspects of management or types of operation in turn.

The sections of the standard are as follows: