Strengthening Forest Stewardship in the United States: An updated Forest Stewardship Standard Approved.

The standard becomes effective on 1 April 2026.

Why the FSC Forest Stewardship Standard for US 2.0 Matters? – A practical tool for improvement rather than a rigid set of rules

Forests in the United States are at a critical moment. While they remain among the most productive and diverse in the world, they are under increasing pressure from climate-driven disturbances, development, and the growing demand for wood-based products, which could increase the risks of unsustainable harvesting practices and illegal logging, all linked to long and complex supply chains. The approval of the FSC Forest Stewardship Standard for US Version 2.0, officially published on January 1, 2026, represents an important step toward addressing these challenges—strengthening forest conservation while supporting resilient, economically viable forest management.

U.S. forests face rising threats from catastrophic wildfires, hurricanes, pest outbreaks, and floods, all of which are intensified by climate change. At the same time, family forest owners—who collectively manage a significant share of U.S. forestland and vary widely in size, geography, and resources—often struggle with the cost and complexity of certification systems. The updated standard responds directly to these realities by encouraging adaptive management, vulnerability assessments, and monitoring requirements to help forest managers plan for uncertainty and build long-term resilience. By better reflecting real-world forest conditions, the standard becomes a practical tool for positive change rather than a static checklist.

Relevance Within a Broader Policy and Conservation Landscape

The updated standard aligns with regional, national, and local forest initiatives—from state-level climate resilience strategies to federal efforts to address wildfire risk, biodiversity loss, and sustainable rural economies. For example, new regional requirements for salvage harvesting on the Pacific Coast following catastrophic natural disasters help ensure that post-disaster actions support recovery rather than cause further harm. FSC certification under FSS Version 2.0 works alongside conservation easements, state forestry programs, Tribal forest initiatives, and private-sector sustainability commitments, reinforcing a coherent, multi-level approach to forest protection.

Mitigating Illegal Logging Risks

FSC’s clear requirements that track wood from the forest to the final product already serve as one of the strongest safeguards against illegal and unacceptable harvesting. FSS Version 2.0 further strengthens this role by aligning with FSC International’s Principles & Criteria (V5) and International Generic Indicators, ensuring consistent due diligence, traceability, and verification across borders. Clearer indicators and enhanced monitoring close gaps and build greater trust that certified wood and non-timber products come from legal, responsibly managed sources.

Closing Critical Gaps in Forest Protection

One of the most critical advances in the revised standard is its broader inclusion of both nature and people. Version 2.0 expands certification eligibility to an extensive list of non-timber forest products (NTFPs), recognizing the full economic and cultural value of forests beyond timber alone. It also explicitly recognizes traditional knowledge as “best available information,” bringing Indigenous and local knowledge more clearly into forest decision-making. These changes help protect forests by valuing the people, knowledge systems, and diversified livelihoods that sustain them.

Addressing Environmental, Social, and Economic Challenges

Forest managers today must balance environmental stewardship, economic viability, and social responsibility. Version 2.0 offers more flexible ways to meet requirements, making certification more accessible—especially for family forests—while maintaining strong environmental and social protections. By supporting resilient management, respecting workers’ rights, engaging communities, and enabling diversified income streams, the standard becomes a practical solution to interconnected environmental, social, and economic challenges rather than a burden.

A Standard Built Through Collaboration

The FSC US Forest Stewardship Standard 2.0 is the result of seven years of shared work, public consultation, and collaboration with FSC International, involving forest owners, Indigenous representatives, environmental NGOs, labour groups, scientists, and industry stakeholders. As Amy Clark Eagle, FSC US Director of Science and Certification, notes, “the revision aligns global consistency with U.S.-specific priorities.” FSC US President Sarah Billig underscores that this collaborative process helps ensure the standard is both trusted and practical.

With publication on January 1, 2026, an effective date of April 1, 2026, and a transition period through September 30, 2027, the FSC US Forest Stewardship Standard 2.0 offers forest managers and partners a clear path forward. At a time when forests are increasingly central to climate solutions, biodiversity protection, and rural economies, this updated standard provides a robust, trusted framework to care for U.S. forests for generations to come.

The FSS for the USA (official English version) can be downloaded from the FSC Document Center. For more updates, visit the FSC Unites State’s Newsroom.

For any queries about the standard, please contact Amy Clark Eagle (Director of Science and Certification, FSC United States) by email at info@us.fsc.org.