FSC extends validity of existing Controlled Wood Risk Assessments

The new Advice Note ADVICE-40-005-26 extends the validity of existing FSC Controlled Wood Risk Assessments until replaced by the next versions of corresponding FSC Risk Assessments. 

Published and effective from 6 September 2023, the FSC Advice Note ADVICE-40-005-26 announces an extension of the validity of existing FSC Controlled Wood Risk Assessments. This Advice Note applies to organizations sourcing FSC Controlled Wood using FSC-STD-40-005 V3-1 Requirements for Sourcing FSC Controlled Wood. 

Formulated in accordance with FSC normative requirements, it received approval from the FSC Managing Director on August 30, 2023, following a recommendation by the Policy Steering Group (PSG) on July 11, 2023. 

As per FSC-PRO-60-002 V3-0 and PSU-PRO-10-002 V2-0, an approved FSC Controlled Wood Risk Assessment remains valid for a period of five (5) years from the approval date. The majority of existing FSC Controlled Wood Risk Assessments are set to expire by December 2024. Therefore, this Advice Note ensures their continued validity until replaced by the next versions of FSC Risk Assessments based on the forthcoming FSC-PRO-60-006b (new code for FSC-PRO-60-002a), currently under revision. 

By extending the validity of FSC Controlled Wood Risk Assessments, this initiative aims to mitigate and prevent the risk of non-conformance in controlled material sourcing. 

The latest version of the FSC Directive on FSC Controlled Wood (FSC-DIR-40-005 EN) which includes this Advice Note can be accessed in the FSC Document Centre.