Background and Purpose

The international timber products market frequently demands assurance about the quality and environmental and social impacts of woodland management. One way to provide this assurance is through independent verification against a published certification standard which defines appropriate and effective management. In forestry, this process is known as sustainable forest management certification or simply forest, or woodland, certification.

The UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS) is an independent certification standard which sets out the requirements which woodland owners and managers and certification bodies can use to certify woodland management in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK). The certification standard is developed through an inclusive and transparent process which has involved a balanced representation of stakeholders from the UK forestry and environmental community.




The UKWAS recognises that one of the strengths of UK woodland management is its diversity. Therefore, there is broad scope within the certification standard for owners and managers to decide on appropriate objectives for their woodland. The certification standard generally prescribes what must, overall, be achieved but leaves it to the owner/manager to decide how this is best done in each situation.