FSC Aligned Certification for EUDR and system-wide changes now live

FSC has published the FSC Regulatory Module, an updated FSC Risk Assessment Framework, and various Advice Notes to strengthen its commitment to sustainable forestry. These changes are immediately effective for users of the FSC Regulatory Module.

The FSC Regulatory Module and FSC Risk Assessment Framework comprise FSC Aligned Certification for EUDR, along with system-wide updates to operationalize these changes and align with the intention of the Policy to Address Conversion.  The launch of these requirements ensures that our certification system remains robust and relevant in the evolving regulatory landscape. The Risk Assessment Framework and other system-wide changes are also applicable for Certificate Holders not affected by EUDR.

FSC Regulatory Module

This new voluntary add-on module FSC-STD-01-004 FSC Regulatory Module supports EUDR compliance by providing additional requirements for Forest Management, Chain of Custody, and Controlled Wood Certification as well as accreditation requirements. It is designed to help companies use their FSC certification to meet EUDR’s stringent requirements by taking the guesswork out of what is required on top of FSC certification. The module outlines robust due diligence systems, conducting thorough risk assessments with FSC’s Risk Assessment Framework, and maintaining transparent supply chain documentation.

Download the module in the Document Centre here. Learn more about the Regulatory Module here.

FSC Risk Assessment Framework

After a thorough, chamber-balanced revision, the FSC-PRO-60-006b FSC Risk Assessment Framework is now published and immediately effective for users of the Regulatory Module and developers of risk assessments. The revision process began in 2021 and was further strengthened through the alignment with EUDR. The new framework provides a comprehensive tool for companies to assess and mitigate risks of sourcing forest materials.

With 64 indicators for assessing risks connected to relevant social and environmental aspects, FSC’s Risk Assessment Framework is aligned with EUDR regulatory requirements to ensure responsible sourcing.  The next generation of FSC’s existing risk assessments for controlled wood sourcing will be based on this updated framework. Download the FSC Risk Assessment Framework in the Document Centre here.

System-wide changes through Advice Notes

To further tighten the FSC system to deliver deforestation-free products, FSC fast-tracked the implementation of changes from the intention of FSC’s Policy to Address Conversion. These changes are introduced to the existing system in the form of Advice Notes - which will ultimately ensure products are deforestation and degradation free in alignment with the EUDR and do not enter the system and become FSC-certified . Additional Advice Notes for chain of custody and controlled wood users are included to support the implementation of the Regulatory Module and align with global best practices. The following Advice Notes have been published and are immediately effective for users of the FSC Regulatory Module::

• ADVICE-20-007-24 Deforestation-free products from FSC-Certified management units
• ADVICE-20-007-02 Certification of Primary Forests
• ADVICE-40-004-26 Inclusion of the FSC Regulatory Claim
• ADVICE-40-005-27 Use of FSC-PRO-60-006b Risk Assessment Framework
• ADVICE-20-011-19 Evaluation of the use of FSC-PRO-60-006b Risk Assessment Framework.

Join us at upcoming webinars

Join us in July for a series of webinars to learn more about these solutions.

• Virtual Launch Event to learn more about how FSC Aligned can streamline your compliance journey (offered in 12 languages) Wednesday, July 3 at 10:00 – 11:00 CEST: Register here
  • Spanish, French, Portuguese, Turkish, Chinese, Indonesian Bahasa, German, Ukrainian, Thai, Japanese, Vietnamese
• Wednesday, July 3 at 15:00 – 16:00 CEST: Register here
  • Spanish, French, Portuguese, Turkish, German, Ukrainian

Learn more about the FSC Regulatory Module and Advice Notes at our webinar on 10 July 2024 (simultaneous translation into French and Spanish offered):

• Wednesday, July 10 at 9:00 – 10:30 CEST: Register here
• Wednesday, July 10 at 16:00 – 17:30 CEST: Register here

Learn about the updated Risk Assessment Framework on 17 July 2024 (simultaneous translation into French and Spanish offered):

• Wednesday, July 17 at 9:00 – 10:30 CEST: Register here
• Wednesday, July 17 at 16:00 – 17:30 CEST: Register here

How we got here

The requirements were all released for public consultation from 1 February – 1 March of 2024 after being fast tracked by EUDR coming into force in June 2023. The consultation included 400+ responses from diverse stakeholders and informed relevant changes and ensured FSC met its robust requirements. Since consultation, changes were made based on stakeholder feedback. Highlights of the feedback and how it was addressed can be reviewed in the consultation summary for Risk Assessment Framework here and Regulatory Module and system wide changes consultation summary here. Full Consultation Reports are available on the process pages here (FSC Risk Assessment Framework) and here (FSC Regulatory Module).

Implementation dates

• July 1, 2024: Publication of normative documents, including FSC-STD-01-004 FSC Regulatory Module, FSC-PRO-60-006b FSC Risk Assessment Framework and related Advice Notes for system-wide changes
• July 1, 2024: Effective date of all published normative documents for users of the FSC Regulatory Module.
• October 1, 2024: Effective date for Advice Notes for all certificate holders
• December 2025: Transition end date for Advice Notes for all certificate holders