Responsible Business Forum 2026 reinforces the need for collaboration, traceability and smallholder inclusion in India's forest-based value chains

How can India build forest-based value chains that are responsible, resilient, and ready for the demands of tomorrow's markets? 

This question brought together more than 120 stakeholders at the FSC India Responsible Business Forum (RBF) 2026 in Mumbai from 28–29 May, creating a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange and action across sectors that depend on forest-derived raw materials. 

Supported by Birla Cellulose, Preferred by Nature, and Control Union, with the Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) as a knowledge partner, the Forum convened brands, manufacturers, certification bodies, civil society organisations, and sustainability experts. 

A shared vision for responsible value chains 

Across two days of discussions, one message emerged consistently: no single organization can transform value chains alone. 

Participants highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration in building supply chains that are traceable, free of deforestation, and capable of meeting growing sustainability expectations from markets, investors, and regulators. 

The Forum created space for dialogue among actors that are often disconnected within value chains – from producers and processors to manufacturers, brands and assurance providers – helping identify both shared challenges and opportunities for collective action. 

Day One featured strategic dialogues on the natural rubber, wood & bamboo, and pulp, paper & packaging value chains, alongside a leadership plenary focused on the future of responsible business in India. 

“The future of India’s furniture and forest-product supply chains depends on scaling responsible forestry and sustainable sourcing. Organizations across the value chain must work together with a shared purpose to make sustainable wood the norm,” said Linn Roslund, Managing Director at IKEA Supply South Asia.

"India's position as the seventh fastest-growing market globally for FSC Chain of Custody certification signals a significant transformation in how businesses approach sourcing. As market expectations continue to evolve, responsible sourcing and traceability are emerging as fundamental requirements for companies committed to transparency, resilience, and long-term sustainability,"  said Cindy Cheng, Regional Director, FSC Asia-Pacific. 

FSC recognized as a practical framework for responsible sourcing 

Throughout the Forum, FSC certification was recognized as a credible and practical framework for responsible sourcing, supply chain transparency, and market assurance. 

Participants also noted the strong alignment between FSC certification and corporate ESG priorities, including India's Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework. 

Growing interest was observed in the role of FSC systems in supporting compliance with emerging market requirements such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), demonstrating how responsible forest management and traceability can help businesses strengthen market access while contributing to broader sustainability goals. 

Trees outside forests and smallholders: critical to India's future 

A significant insight emerging from the Forum was the recognition that an estimated 70–80% of raw material used by India's forest-based industries originates from Trees Outside Forests (TOF), including agroforestry, farm forestry, and plantation systems. 

This reality places farmers and smallholders at the centre of India's sustainability journey. 

Participants acknowledged that scaling Forest Management certification in India will depend on increasing smallholder participation and creating pathways that make certification more accessible, practical, and beneficial for producers. 

The introduction of the Regional Forest Stewardship Standard for smallholders was welcomed as an important step towards enabling broader participation in certification systems, while discussions also highlighted the need for continued innovation in certification approaches to support smallholder inclusion at scale. 

From dialogue to action 

One of the Forum's most significant outcomes was the recognition that coordinated action can help improve raw material security, strengthen incentives for farmers and create more stable demand for certified products.  

ITC, Merino, and FSC India held initial discussions to explore opportunities for expanding Forest Management certification through shared smallholder supply bases and cross-sector procurement models. 

Strengthening FSC's role as a convener for change 

The Forum reinforced FSC India's growing role not only as a certification system, but as a platform that connects stakeholders, facilitates collaboration, and supports market transformation. 

Participants encouraged FSC India to continue institutionalizing the Responsible Business Forum as an annual platform. By convening businesses, certification bodies, civil society organizations and market actors, FSC is helping create the conditions needed to scale responsible sourcing, strengthen traceability, and unlock opportunities for producers and markets alike. 

Looking ahead 

The conversations at the Forum reaffirmed that the future of India's forest-based economy will be shaped by collaboration, transparency, and inclusion. 

As businesses navigate increasing sustainability expectations and regulatory demands, responsible sourcing and traceability will become increasingly important drivers of competitiveness and resilience. 

For FSC India, the Forum demonstrated a growing demand for platforms that connect stakeholders, enable collective action, and accelerate practical solutions for responsible forest-based value chains. 

Together, these efforts can help ensure that forests, farmers, businesses, and markets thrive and create lasting value for future generations.