The Ecosystem Services Registry is live

On 1 October 2025, FSC launched the new Ecosystem Services (ES) Registry, an online digital platform to implement the revised Ecosystem Services Procedure (FSC-PRO-30-006 V2-1). All FSC certificate holders planning to audit under the updated ES Procedure (FSC-PRO-30-006 V2-1) must use the ES Registry from this date. 

The ES Registry is designed to enable a future marketplace where certificate holders (CHs) will be able to transact on confirmed ES Reports with interested sponsors who will be able to access relevant information in the ES Registry. 

What does this release include? 

In the front end, the release provides: 

• Mechanisms to onboard Forest Management (FM) certificate holders, certification body (CB) admins, and CB auditors 
• A detailed, multi-step form for FM CHs to create and submit digitised Ecosystem Services Reports (ESRs) 
• Spatial maps representing the application of forest management units and the services associated with them 
• User-friendly interfaces for CB admins and auditors to access and manage ESRs and confirm certification decisions.  These are available in three languages – English, French and Spanish. 

At the back end: 

• A new data foundation on cutting-edge Microsoft Fabric technology  to capture, store and process all ESR data properly.  This will eventually form the foundation for reporting and analytics. 
• Captures the map data for forest management units within Esri technology. 
• Automated quality checks for data completeness, uniqueness, and validity. 

Why is it significant? 

• Streamlined data management: The ES reports will be submitted and reviewed digitally, replacing the previous PDF format. Centralised data storage will reduce errors and duplication ensuring that mistakes are caught early. 
• Enhanced analytics and functions: A rich set of data management, geospatial, and publishing capabilities that will enable CHs to track report data and analytics.  
• Efficient collaboration: A robust data system allows key stakeholders to collaborate on one platform, including CHs, CBs, and FSC – providing transparent data sharing and preventing miscommunication or delays. 

Timelines and actions for CHs 

To start accessing the ES Registry, CBs will onboard the CH contacts from 1 October. After successful onboarding, the CHs will have the ability to fill in the ES Report on the platform, and the CBs will have the ability to review the ES Reports and approve them. 

Resources 

Comprehensive training materials can be accessed at the FSC Connect website, including a User Manual for FMs and the Outcome Indicator Selection Logic. FSC will soon release instruction videos as well. For an online training on the updated ES Procedure, click here. 

This is a brand new application, and we envision some learnings along the journey. Please do not hesitate to contact us at connect@fsc.org with feedback or suggestions.