The State Government will investigate Australian Forestry Standard certification for native forests and State-owned plantations by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the Forest Products Commission.
CALM and the FPC, in consultation with the Department of Treasury and Finance, will examine the associated costs of achieving AFS certification, including a contribution from industry.
State Forestry Minister Kim Chance said a number of certification schemes and standards now operated throughout the world, certifying that forests were being sustainably managed.
"Along with many other countries, Australia took note of this trend and developed a forest management standard - the AFS - as the basis for certification," Mr Chance said.
"Importantly, the standard takes into account Australian conditions."
The Minister said Cabinet would make the final decision on whether to seek certification.
Forest Industries Federation of Western Australia executive director Bob Pearce said FIFWA was strongly supportive of AFS certification.
"We are happy to co-operate with CALM and the FPC to discuss and consider the costs involved in achieving the certification," Mr Pearce said.
The Minister said the AFS would provide industry, consumers and investors with an independent, third-party assessment of forest management practices against agreed economic, social, environmental and cultural requirements.
He added that the standard would also reassure consumers that they were supporting some of the world's best forest managers.
"The standard can be applied to any defined forest area being managed for wood production - irrespective of scale or type of ownership - in native forest or plantations," Mr Chance said.
"Adoption of the AFS will help WA to maintain access to its traditional markets for timber and wood products and, perhaps even more importantly, help find new ones.
"It provides a credible response to consumer expectations and should become a familiar and trusted symbol in the international arena, greatly helping Australian exporters maintain access to the world's markets."
