Regulations and Certification
The following links provide information on the regulations governing woodland creation and any certification that you may need to consider.
UK Forestry Standard
The United Kingdom Forestry Standard is the standard reference material for sustainable forest management in the UK. It outlines the context for forestry, sets out the approach of the UK governments to sustainable forest management, defines standards and requirements, and provides a basis for regulation and monitoring.
Download the UK Forestry Standard from Gov.uk
Environmental Impact Assessments
To protect Wales' environment and natural resources, it is important that an assessment is made of the impacts of potential projects and plans.
Read about Environmental Impact Assessments for forestry projects
UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS)
UKWAS is an independent certification standard for verifying sustainable woodland management in the UK. It is used for both Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) certification.
Find out more about UKWAS on their website
Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)
PEFC endorse national forest certification systems and provide databases of certificate holders and quality assurance badge holders.
Find PEFC endorsed certification schemes on the PEFC website
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
The Forest Stewardship Council provide certification that a forest is being managed in a way that preserves biological diversity and benefits the lives of local people and workers, while ensuring it sustains economic viability.
Get advice on sustainable forestry from the Forest Stewardship Council
Glastir Woodland Creation guide
The Welsh Government Glastir Woodland Creation scheme guide explains what you need to do and when, to get your planting scheme right first time.
Download the Glastir Woodland Creation Guide for schemes over a quarter of a hectare
Glastir Woodland Creation planners’ guide
Find out how to identify environmental sensitivities which may affect your proposed site in the Glastir Woodland Creation planners’ guide (GN0002)
Download 'Providing additional evidence to support Glastir Woodland Creation applications (GN009)'
identifies priority habitats and sets out how to provide photographs and commission an ecological survey to provide evidence for the verification of a GWC's scheme in compliance with the UK Forestry Standard
Woodland Carbon Code
Woodland Carbon Code is the quality assurance standard for woodland creation projects in the UK, and generates independently verified carbon units.
Register with the Woodland Carbon Code on their website