Product Overview

Summary: This SOP sets out a clear, repeatable process for sourcing timber in a way that is ethical, traceable, and aligned with Australian sustainability expectations. It helps your business demonstrate due diligence, meet customer and regulatory requirements, and protect your brand by ensuring all timber is procured from responsibly managed forests.

Australian businesses in construction, manufacturing and retail are under increasing pressure to prove that the timber they use is legally harvested and sustainably sourced. This Sustainability Practices in Timber Sourcing SOP provides a structured, defensible framework for evaluating suppliers, verifying certifications, and documenting the chain of custody for timber products entering your business. It turns high-level sustainability commitments into clear, day‑to‑day actions and decision rules for your procurement and project teams.

The procedure addresses key challenges such as avoiding illegally logged timber, managing complex international supply chains, and responding to client and government requirements for sustainable materials. It guides users through supplier pre‑qualification, due diligence checks, certification verification (e.g. FSC, PEFC), record‑keeping, and periodic supplier audits. By implementing this SOP, organisations can reduce reputational and legal risk, support responsible forest management, and provide transparent evidence to clients, regulators and stakeholders that their timber sourcing practices meet Australian expectations for environmental and social responsibility.

Key Benefits

• Demonstrate robust due diligence in timber sourcing to satisfy Australian regulatory, client and ESG expectations.
• Reduce exposure to illegally logged or high‑risk timber that could damage your brand and commercial relationships.
• Standardise procurement decisions across projects and sites with clear sustainability and certification criteria.
• Strengthen supplier relationships by setting transparent sustainability requirements and performance review processes.
• Provide auditable documentation and traceability to support certifications, tenders and sustainability reporting.

Who is this for?

• Procurement Managers
• Supply Chain Managers
• Sustainability Managers
• Timber Merchants and Buyers
• Construction Project Managers
• Compliance and Risk Managers
• Operations Managers
• Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Leads
• Timber Importers and Wholesalers
• Furniture and Joinery Manufacturers

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose, Scope and Objectives
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms (e.g. legal timber, high‑risk countries, chain of custody)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (Procurement, Sustainability, Project Teams, Senior Management)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Company Policies
• 5.0 Timber Sourcing Principles and Sustainability Criteria
• 6.0 Supplier Pre‑Qualification and Approval Process
• 7.0 Due Diligence Procedure for Timber and Timber Products
• 8.0 Certification and Documentation Requirements (FSC, PEFC, AS 4707, declarations)
• 9.0 Risk Assessment of Timber Origins and Supply Chains
• 10.0 Chain of Custody and Traceability Controls
• 11.0 Purchasing, Contract and Tender Requirements for Sustainable Timber
• 12.0 Record‑Keeping, Evidence Management and Audit Trail
• 13.0 Supplier Performance Monitoring, Audits and Non‑Conformance Management
• 14.0 Communication and Reporting (Clients, Regulators, Stakeholders)
• 15.0 Training and Competency Requirements for Relevant Staff
• 16.0 Review, Continuous Improvement and Document Control

Legislation & References

• Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012 (Cth) and associated Illegal Logging Prohibition Regulation 2012
• Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – Illegal Logging Prohibition: Due Diligence Guidelines
• AS 4707: Chain of custody for forest products
• AS 4708: Sustainable forest management
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody and Controlled Wood standards (as applicable in Australia)
• Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) Chain of Custody standard (as applicable in Australia)
• Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) – relevant to social and labour conditions in timber supply chains