FSC extends the validity of the existing V5 FSC Forest Stewardship Standards.

The New Advice Note ADV-STDICE-60-006_-05 extends the five-year validity period of existing V5 FSC Forest Stewardship Standards until revised, replaced, or withdrawn.

The FSC Policy and Performance Unit published the FSC Advice Note on extension of the validity of Forest Stewardship Standards (ADV-STDICE-60-006_-05), which comes into effect on 25 June 2025. This advice note extends the 5-year validity period of all existing Forest Stewardship Standards, developed in accordance with V5 of the Principles and Criteria, until they are revised, replaced, or withdrawn.

As per the normative requirements in FSC-STD-60-006 V1-2, FSC-PRO-60-006 V2-0, and FSC-PRO-60-007 V1-2, an approved Forest Stewardship Standard remains valid for five (5) years from the effective date. By the end of December 2026, nearly half (44 out of 88) of the existing V5 Forest Stewardship Standards will exceed their period of validity. Therefore, this Advice Note ensures their continued validity until withdrawn or replaced by the next version of Forest Stewardship Standards based on the forthcoming FSC-PRO-60-006 and FSC-PRO-60-006a, currently under revision. By extending the validity of Forest Stewardship Standards, this initiative aims to mitigate and prevent the risk of non-conformance with Forest Management requirements by certificate holders.

Formulated under FSC normative requirements, the Advice Note was approved by the FSC Director General on 27 May 2025, following a recommendation by the Policy Steering Group (PSG) on 21 May 2025. This applies to organizations applying for or holding FSC Forest Management Ccertification, their certification bodies, and all the parties involved in the development or revision of Forest Stewardship Standards.

As per the normative requirements in FSC-STD-60-006 V1-2, FSC-PRO-60-006 V2-0, and FSC-PRO-60-007 V1-2, an approved Forest Stewardship Standard remains valid for five (5) years from the effective date. By the end of December 2026, nearly half (44 out of 88) of the existing V5 Forest Stewardship Standards will exceed their period of validity. Therefore, this Advice Note ensures their continued validity until withdrawn or replaced by the next version of Forest Stewardship Standards based on the forthcoming FSC-PRO-60-006 and FSC-PRO-60-006a, currently under revision.

By extending the validity of Forest Stewardship Standards, this initiative aims to mitigate and prevent the risk of non-conformance with Forest Management requirements by certificate holders.

The new advice note ADVICEADV-STD-60-006_-05 could be consultedcan be viewed under in the page 14 of FSC Directive FSC-DIR-60-006 in the FSC Document Centre. For any queries regarding the Advice Note, please contact the FSC Country Requirements Team via: country_requirements@fsc.org.