FSC Risk Assessment Framework: a strong foundation to support EUDR compliance

As global regulations on responsible sourcing continue to evolve, FSC remains at the forefront of assessing and mitigating risks through our Risk Assessment Framework.  

The FSC Risk Assessment Framework provides step-by-step guidance to assess and mitigate risks effectively. With 64 indicators covering social, environmental and economic aspects, the Risk Assessment Framework aligns with FSC’s Policy to Address Conversion and EUDR regulatory requirements, facilitating compliance for companies affected by the Regulation. 

FSC’s robust forest management certification ensures sustainable practices in certified areas. However, assessing risks in non-certified regions is equally critical, and requires a deeper look. To support companies in meeting regulatory compliance requirements such as the EUDR, FSC offers free  country and regional risk assessments, developed through regular/centralized processes led by experts or through national chamber-balanced processes. These risk assessments can help organizations evaluate forestry sector control systems, providing vital insights into sourcing risks. 

FSC is developing updated risk assessments for 90 countries. The next generation of FSC’s risk assessments for controlled wood sourcing will be based on the updated Risk Assessment Framework and valid for both Regulatory Module users and Controlled Wood users. If a country risk assessment is unavailable, organizations can access FSC’s Risk Assessment template and supporting tools to implement effective due diligence. 

Stay Updated  

All ongoing FSC Risk Assessment development and revision processes are listed in the FSC Country Requirements Schedule. The schedule is updated frequently and includes relevant information for stakeholders, such as upcoming consultations. Learn how to navigate the dashboard by reading the user guide here. Organizations can stay informed by: 

• Register through this form to stay informed on and participate in upcoming consultations of FSC Risk Assessments.  
• Understand the background and how risk assessments work in the FSC system by reading the Demystifying Risk Assessments document.   
• Learn about how these requirements were developed in the process page here. 
• Watch an overview of FSC’s approach to risk assessment here. 
• Register for our newsletter, which includes updates on upcoming consultations.