We are excited to announce the establishment of the technical working group to revise FSC’s Ecosystem Services Procedure and the opening of the consultative forum for interested stakeholders. 

Environmental chamber member needed for the revision of FSC-STD-30-010.

FSC has issued a series of updates to its normative framework to implement measures related to FSC certificates and to disable the sourcing of controlled material from these countries. These updates are now all available in the FSC Document Centre. 

Through the combined efforts of Idesam and the Uatumã Reserve, the 44,000-hectare area has obtained FSC certification. It is currently the only certificate in the state of Amazonas to include both the timber and non-timber categories for forest products. 

The standard becomes effective from 01 September 2022.

FSC enjoyed a productive week in Seoul at the XV World Forestry Congress (WFC) which had over 15,000 participants from 160 countries either onsite or online.

Fado is a Portuguese musical style renowned for its expressive and profoundly melancholic character, recognized by UNESCO as being representative of intangible cultural heritage of humanity. The word fado comes from the Latin fatum, meaning “destiny.”

FSC has joined 200+ organizations as partner in the New European Bauhaus  (NEB), an initiative under the EU Green Deal to meet the EU climate ambitions. NEB’s mission is to inspire the actors of the construction sector and beyond, with its three values ‘beautiful, sustainable, together’.

Learning process update: Appointment of independent panel of experts and process lead

FSC is launching a transaction verification loop (TV loop) on FSC-certified teak supply chains, across the world, starting with the first phase – data collection and analysis.

FSC is proud to introduce "FSC on the Map", the first FSC geospatial platform. It allows users to delve into key data – such as FSC-certified forests, FSC members and offices – in a more visual format, with four easy-to-use maps.

The FSC Remedy Framework has been open for public consultation since March. The final week of the consultation is here; it will be open until 10 May 2022. FSC invites all its stakeholders to participate in this consultation process, by clicking here. 

As part of the revision process of the FSC forest management standard for continental France, FSC France has published its first public consultation, open to all until 18 July 2022.

We are looking for your input on key FSC requirements. All interested stakeholders are invited to submit their input; visit the Consultation Platform today to participate!

The Timber Procurement Assessment Committee (TPAC) carries out assessments of certification systems for acceptance by the sustainable procurement policy of the Dutch government. The committee has advised the State Secretary to continue to recognize FSC International for government procurement policy.

In keeping with the motto “Better living, healthier forests”, FSC launches the new edition of its annual awards, which honor the most sustainable furniture manufacturers and retailers throughout Europe.

FSC invites you to participate in the second public consultation of the procedure FSC-PRO-01-001 The Development and Revision of FSC® Requirements from 29 April – 30 June 2022 via the FSC Consultation Platform. 

The standard becomes effective on 01 July 2022.

Join the consultative forum to stay updated on progress in revising FSC-STD-40-004a FSC Product Classification Addendum.

Help us shape the future of responsible forest management to ensure Forests For All Forever.

According to a recent study, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification scheme is a robust tool to support Operators with European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR) due diligence (DD) requirements . FSC certification is by far the broadest and most used scheme of all schemes that were analyzed.

The revision of four normative documents regulating the requirements for development and maintenance of Forest Stewardship Standards (FSS) is starting soon. We are looking for technical working group members to support the process; apply today! Applications are open now until 7 June 2022.

The proposed amendments to the four International Generic Indicators (IGI) through the small changes process are available for public consultation until 18 June 2022. We invite all stakeholders to participate. Click here to go to the Consultation Platform and provide your feedback!
 

In our efforts to establish a gender and regionally balanced technical working group, the call for applicants to the technical working group for the revision of the Ecosystem Services procedure has been extended until May 31. We especially encourage female candidates to apply.

FSC is revising the standard that provide the requirements that shall be applied by FSC-accredited certification bodies to assess conformity of forest management enterprises against forest stewardship standards. We invite interested stakeholders to participate in this consultation and provide comments to support the improvement of this standard by 16 July 2022.

Stepwise approach towards forest management certification for community and family forests launched through the FSC-PRO-30-011 Continuous Improvement Procedure.  This new procedure is now finalized and published on the FSC Document Centre. Eligible organizations can apply for FSC certification using this procedure after 17 August 2022.

The application period to join the technical working group for the revision of requirements for Forest Stewardship Standards is closing soon on 24 May 2022.

FSC-PRO-30-006 Ecosystem Services Procedure: Impact Demonstration and Market Tools supports users to demonstrate positive impacts on ecosystem services contributing to climate change mitigation and provides users with improved access to ecosystem services markets.  Apply to help drive the revision process and join a diverse set of stakeholders to improve the next version of the procedure!

FSC will host three webinars for stakeholders to learn more about the current public consultation on FSC-STD-01-003 SLIMF and Community Forest Eligibility Criteria and ask any questions they may have. Register today for the webinars!

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Korean music label YG Entertainment Inc. This strategic partnership aims to amplify FSC's mission and environmental influence by leveraging YG Entertainment's global success in Korean pop to keep forests healthy for future generations.

This first version of the FSC Forest Stewardship Standard for Ecuador applies to all categories of management units operating in natural forest and plantations and becomes effective on 1 November 2022.

FSC joins millions of people to celebrate International Workers’ Day on 1 May. This year, as much as ever, we also stand in solidarity with those affected by insecure and unsafe working conditions due to armed conflict and war.

The revision of four normative documents regulating the requirements for development and maintenance of Forest Stewardship Standards (FSS) is starting soon. We are looking for technical working group members to support the process; apply today! Applications are open until 24 May 2022.

FSC-PRO-01-001 The Development and Revision of FSC® Requirements provides the process steps for how to develop, review, revise, and withdraw international FSC requirements. FSC invites you to participate in the second public consultation of the procedure from 29 April – 30 June 2022 via the FSC Consultation Platform. 

FSC has blocked three Peruvian certificate holders and their FSC certification has been suspended because they were unable to verify the origin of wood they sold and purchased from the Amazon. As a result, they can no longer claim FSC certification on their products, or use the FSC trademark label. They will also not be able to seek recertification until FSC lifts their blockage.

FSC has shared three recommendations with the EU Commission on the REDII revision process, and in particular on how to make sure that woody biomass are sourced in line with sustainability limits.

Women who lead FSC-certified woodworking companies in areas still safe from armed conflict are showing the way to mitigate the economic crisis in the country and promote sustainable forest management.

The European Commission has proposed a Regulation aiming to mimimise EU-driven deforestation and forest degradation. FSC has shared 10 suggestions to improve the Regulation.

From 2-6 May 2022, FSC International will participate in the XV World Forestry Congress (WFC) in Seoul, Republic of Korea. 

FSC-PRO-30-006 Ecosystem Services Procedure: Impact Demonstration and Market Tools supports users to demonstrate positive impacts on ecosystem services contributing to climate change mitigation and provides users with improved access to ecosystem services markets.  Apply to help drive the revision process and join a diverse set of stakeholders to improve the next version of the procedure!

FSC invites stakeholders to participate in a webinar on 2 May 2022 related to the ongoing consultation for the proposed amendments to the four IGIs in the FSC-STD-60-004 V2-0 EN through the ‘small changes’ process.

All COVID-19 derogations and interpretations are now valid through 31 December 2022.

The FSC-STD-01-003 SLIMF and Community Forest Eligibility Criteria is open for public consultation from 14 April 2022 to 13 June 2022. This second version of the standard now includes a definition for community forest and increases the flexibility of local adaptation of small or low intensity managed forest (SLIMF) and community forest criteria. The consultation can be accessed here.

Stakeholders are invited to propose third party initiatives to be evaluated for equivalency assessment against the FSC core labour requirements. Applications will be accepted until 20 May 2022.

Due to operational and staff concerns, the Board of Directors of FSC Russia has decided to end its contractual relationship with FSC International.  As of today, all services, activities and member-related activities undertaken by FSC Russia will be taken over by FSC International.

New national adaptations of the self-assessment template are available for use.

The proposed amendments to the four International Generic Indicators (IGI) through the small changes process are now available for public consultation until 11 May 2022. We invite all stakeholders to participate. Click here and provide your feedback.
 

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) will require suspension of its certificates in armed conflict areas of Ukraine, and will allow streamlined auditing processes on certificates in areas not affected by conflict.

FSC will require the suspension of its certificates in armed conflict areas of Ukraine. In areas not affected by conflict, FSC is allowing streamlined auditing processes of certificates through a publication of a collection of derogations and interpretations.

Gabon Advanced Wood Sarl (GAW), a company in Gabon which holds a timber concession, recently obtained a new Forest Stewardship Council  (FSC) forest management certificate  for its Ogooué concession in the south of Gabon.

We know that the best way to defend the rights and promote the solutions created by Indigenous Peoples is for them to communicate their visions, with their own words and images.

Because of the association of the forest sector in Russia and Belarus with armed invasion, no FSC-certified material or controlled wood from these countries will be permitted to be traded.

FSC is pleased to announce two webinars that will be organized in April related to the ongoing consultation – open till 10 May – on the FSC Remedy Framework and aspects of the Policy for Association and Policy to Address Conversion which are open for consultation alongside the framework.

This process was mandated by the FSC Board of Directors at their 86th Meeting and aims to improve aspects of gender inclusiveness and the glossary of terms by revising four International Generic Indicators (IGIs).

FSC has updated two Advice Notes related to FSC certificates from Russia and Belarus to address auditing requirements. Additionally, a new version of the FAQs is now available.

Two days ago the FSC Global Client Survey closed. A big thank you to all certificate holders and promotional licence holders that participated. We look forward to finalizing the results in May 2022, which will help us fine-tune our service delivery and the value that FSC provides.

All FSC certificate holders and promotional licence holders are invited to participate in the Global Client Survey.

FSC has issued new updates to its normative framework related to FSC certificates from Russia and Belarus to address waiving Annual Administration fees and verification of material sold but not dispatched prior to suspension. Additionally, a new version of the FAQs is now available (see below). 

We are happy to share our first video of an upcoming series focusing on the textiles and rubber value chains. 

The FSC Remedy Framework is now open for public consultation, until 10 May 2022. FSC looks forward to receiving inputs and suggestions from its stakeholders on ways to improve the efficacy of the FSC Remedy Framework. FSC invites all its stakeholders to participate in this consultation process, by clicking here.

FSC announced yesterday that it would no longer accept FSC material from Belarus and Russia due to the strong affiliation of the countries’ forest sector with the state and the resulting association with the invasion of Ukraine.

More than 1,000 brands and retailers around the world use an FSC promotional licence to show their care for the world’s forests.

On this International Women’s Day, take a look at how the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is exploring diversity and gender equity in sustainable forestry.

All COVID-19 derogations and interpretations are now valid through 30 June 2022.  

The crisis in Ukraine affects FSC’s certificate holders, stakeholders, staff, and partner organizations in Ukraine and across the world.

FSC has launched a page on fsc.org dedicated for all announcements, statements and other updates related to the current Ukraine-Russia crisis.

Red listed in Lithuania since 1989, the fat dormouse is an endangered species with only ten known populations across the country. Three of them are found in the Neris Regional Park.

Register for our webinar on 2 March to learn how the fashion industry is transitioning towards sustainable fibre alternatives, and how this shift protects forests.

The FSC Remedy Framework consultation will now start in mid-March 2022 and stay open for 60 days (until mid-May), instead of opening in February as originally planned.

All FSC certificate holders and promotional licence holders are invited to participate in FSC’s Global Client Survey launched today.

An integrity investigation has been initiated into specific supply chains of FSC-certified charcoal after FSC and Assurance Services International (ASI) found an unacceptably high number of potential false claims, high levels of volume mismatch and several instances of fraud during the fourth transaction verification loop initiated in 2020.

The working group for the revision of FSC-PRO-60-002 and -002a is now formed, and the consultative forum is established.

By Anand Punja, Chief Engagement and Partnerships Officer

Derik Frederiksen will start on 14 February as the new Director of FSC US.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has recently become an affiliate member of the European Environmental Bureau (EEB).

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) will begin phase one of a proposed two-phase multi-year learning process on genetic engineering (GE) in forestry outside of FSC-certified area.

Norway has joined the Forest Stewardship Council, becoming our 30th network partner.

Organizations that want to make claims about procuring FSC-certified goods can now apply to join the pilot programme. 

As the world’s most trusted provider of forest management solutions, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is heavily invested in working with businesses to empower them to remedy social and environmental harm caused in the past.

The National Forest Stewardship Standard (NFSS) of Netherlands will become effective on 1 February 2022.

The National Forest Stewardship Standard (NFSS) of Malaysia has been updated and is now available in the FSC Document Centre.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is sponsoring a part of Wageningen University’s Timtrace Project in Central Africa for the collection and analysis of 240 wood reference samples of Azobé (Lophira alata) and Tali (Erythrophleum spp) species.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Assurance Services International (ASI) identified several instances of potential false claims and significant volume mismatches in the FSC-certified Aucoumea (Aucoumea klaineana) supply chain, originating in Africa.

The FSC label can be seen on millions of products worldwide – most commonly on wood, packaging and paper products, but also shoes made using natural rubber, clothing made of tree fibres, wine corks, and more. 

Organizations that want to make claims about procuring FSC-certified goods can now apply to join the pilot programme.

FSC launches a call for fashion and textile companies to curb the industry’s impact on deforestation and biodiversity loss. Participants include H&M Group, Masai Clothing Company, JBS Textiles Group, Aditya Birla Group, Bitte Kai Rand, and Bravo World.

Fraudulent claims can upend a supply chain, having lasting impacts on businesses, their workers, and our forests.  FSC’s blockchain verification technology aims to tackle fraudulent FSC claims and non-conforming forest materials and support “know your materials” compliance. 

By Michael Marus, Chief Information Officer and Director of Information Technology, FSC International

Encircled by a forest, stands the Sacred Daubų Oak. Sunrays pierce through its canopy and play in a clearing below. “This oak is over 300 years old, 28 metres tall and protected by the State as natural heritage,” says Alvydas Gintaras.

FSC single certificate holders applying for new or renewed certification must sign a new TLA (version 6) from 20 January 2022. 

Advice notes to implement FSC Board decisions and to enforce the maintenance of Forest Stewardship Standards are now available in the Document Centre.

Two important events took place in Russia related to sanitary logging. FSC Russia and Greenpeace Russia held a practical field seminar for auditors and other parties involved in certification, followed by the Russian FSC Forum.

The ‘period of silence’ is the time of the year when wild animals breed and it is prohibited to carry out activities that are a source of noise and disturbance in animal breeding sites, such as fireworks, use of small motor vessels, rallies or sanitary cuts of trees. In Ukraine, that period is set from 1 April to 15 June and applies to all forests, whether they are FSC certified or not.

FSC is proud to announce that Zandra Martinez, from Oaxaca, Mexico, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the International Board of Directors for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

As of 1 January 2022, FSC-STD-50-001 V2-1 is now effective. The transition period is 2.5 years, starting 1 January 2022 and ending 30 June 2024. During this period, FSC certificate holders may opt to use the revised version V2-1 or continue to use the previous version V2-0.

The national forest stewardship standard of Russia has gone through an unscheduled partial revision and the new version is now available in the FSC Document Centre.

On 1 October 2021, FSC published a new version of the trademark standard FSC-STD-50-001 V2-1. The standard will become effective on 1 January 2022 with a transition period of 2.5 years and introduces a new MIX label.

Dawn breaks over the forests of the Mexican Yucatán, and a chorus of toucans begins in the treetops. Somewhere in the distance, a howler monkey bellows. We are walking along a forest trail in Ejido Nuevo Becal in search of a king.

A unique partnership between a forest management company, a university, and state and federal agencies produced a study that revealed how landowners can sustainably harvest timber and help make a home for bats.

Version 2-0 of the National Risk Assessment (NRA) for Russia is now available on the FSC Document Centre.

The review report of the FSC-PRO-30-006 V1-2 Ecosystem Services Procedure: Impact Demonstration and Market Tools is now available for public consultation until 09 January 2022 and can be accessed here. We invite all stakeholders to provide feedback.

Just as the forests are constantly changing and adapting, FSC’s standards, procedures and policies are continuously adapted, revised and developed to ensure responsible forestry globally.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Assurance Services International (ASI) have found issues of volume mismatch and potential false claims in some transactions of FSC-certified wood pellets in East Asian countries. These cases will be further investigated by ASI, and stringent action will be taken where necessary.

The new edition of Central African Forests Forever by Meindert Brouwer is an in-depth look at the Congo Basin rainforest, including opportunities and solutions for its sustainable use. FSC plays an important role in the plan for this vast forest’s protection.

With the update on the advice note on false claims, FSC has updated the question and answer (Q&A) document as well.

The French language versions of the e-training module for the FSC chain of custody standard including the FSC core labour requirements is now available.

Non-timber forest products are now included in this new version which will become effective on 01 January 2022.

Register for our webinar on 9 December to learn about the sustainable transformation of rubber.

FSC-PRO-01-001 provides the process steps for the development, review, revision, and withdrawal of all international normative documents and is open for consultation until 7 January 2022 via the FSC Consultation Platform.

Now is the time to take part in our second consultation on proposed changes to the FSC Policy for Association (PfA), which closes 3 December. Share your feedback via the FSC Consultation Platform.

Twelve awards for indoor and outdoor furniture, including five special prizes for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Communication, Green, Labeling and Small Business and an honourable mention, were assigned to FSC-certified companies active in the furniture sector in Italy, UK, Germany, Poland and Croatia.

The FSC Network operates at national and regional levels. The Network plays a crucial role in achieving FSC’s mission of promoting environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world’s forests.

The Chinese language versions of the e-training module for the FSC chain of custody standard including the FSC core labour requirements is now available.

FSC welcomes the proposal for a European Union (EU) regulation to minimize the EU’s contribution to deforestation. This is a positive move, especially considering the recent Glasgow Leaders' Declaration on Forests and Land Use made at COP26, which follows through on the rhetoric with tangible actions. 

The winning social media campaign highlights the biodiversity in individual trees by giving voice to five species, hosting 'Tree BnBs', and their guests - animal species - who share their unique reviews.

The Focus Forests project aims to find solutions for stewardship in forests with special social and environmental values.

The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the link between the health of nature and that of humans. Science shows that protection of forests, and the people and biodiversity within them, is key to disease prevention.

Among consumers, environmental concerns are becoming more important than ever and sustainability now rivals conventional factors such as price and brand as influencers of consumer shopping choices.

FSC-DIR-40-004 and FSC-PRO-10-003 have been updated to better cover the issue of false claims.

The consultation is open 4 October – 2 December 2021. We invite your feedback via the FSC Consultation Platform.

The decision comes after a 4-year programme to improve HS Timber Group’s operations and resolve the social and environmental issues that led to FSC expelling HS Timber Group from its system in 2017.

Version 2-0 of the Centralized National Risk Assessment (CNRA) for Hungary is now available on the FSC Document Centre.

A message by FSC International’s Director General Kim Carstensen on the recent Declaration on forests and land use at COP26.

The German language version of the e-training module for the FSC chain of custody standard including the FSC core labour requirements is now available.

FSC-PRO-01-001 The Development and Revision of FSC® Normative Documents provides the process steps for the development, review, revision, and withdrawal of all international normative documents and is open for consultation 29 October – 7 January 2022 via the FSC Consultation Platform. 

The IFSS of New Caledonia, Loyalty Islands Province (English version only) can be viewed in the FSC Document Centre. This new standard will ensure responsible production of New Caledonian sandalwood, a wood found exclusively on the Loyalty Islands. The interim forest stewardship standard of New Caledonia will be effective on 01 February 2022. 

Quietly winding its way through the woodlands in eastern Zambia, the Luangwa river passes through the Mbizi Farm, where it is welcomed and celebrated as the aorta of this region, delivering much needed water to villages, farmers and other communities.  

FSC is launching a position statement for the “responsible sourcing of natural rubber.”

FSC is looking for your input during the revision of the FSC-STD-01-003 SLIMF Eligibility Criteria. This revision, coordinated by the Community and Family Forests programme, has kicked off with a new technical working group dedicated to this process in October 2021. Interested stakeholders can get engaged with the process through signing up for the consultative forum here.

Among the initiatives stemming from the European Union (EU) Green Deal, the EU Commission will soon table a new EU Strategy for sustainable textiles. FSC has responded to the public consultation and shared its recommendations. 

Assurance Services International (ASI) has accredited two certification bodies to audit and issue FSC certificates; CSQ in the Czech Republic and Neocert in Brazil.

Several new documents are available to support the implementation of the latest FSC Chain of Custody standard requirements.

The Spanish Language version of the e-training module for the FSC chain of custody standard including the FSC core labour requirements is now available.

United Nations (UN) Climate Change launched an initiative to propel the fashion industry towards immediate climate action. FSC is proud to be a signatory and supporter of the charter developed to deliver on these goals.

English and Spanish language versions of the recording are now available for viewing.

We spent 2020 facing a worldwide pandemic – and were still able to continue our work as the pioneering force for responsible forest management. Shining a light on the past year’s accomplishments, the annual report 2020 is now published.

A united group of timber traders representing significant import volumes of timber from Brazil to the European market is calling for more FSC-certified area in Brazil. In an open letter sent to the Brazilian forest sector, the signatories aim to motivate the market of sustainably sourced timber and state the current and expected market requirements in Europe.

2BForest, an ecosystem services-certified group in Portugal, aims to promote more sustainable and inclusive models of forest management. The Ecosystem Services (ES) Procedure has been key to showing the heritage and value of their forests.

One more week left to provide your feedback on the documents that deal with the development, transfer and maintenance of Forest Stewardship Standards. The public consultation closes on 12 October 2021.

FSC is pleased to announce the publication of FSC-GUI-30-006 V1-1 Guidance for Demonstrating Ecosystem Services Impacts in English, Spanish and French now available in the Document Centre here.

Register today for FSC International’s first-ever Virtual General Assembly, which takes place 25-29 October 2021. 

On 1 October 2021 FSC published the revised trademark standard FSC-STD-50-001 (V2-1) Requirements for use of the FSC trademarks by certificate holders, with changes to the MIX label text and the controlled wood claims. The standard will become effective on 1 January 2022.

FSC is in the process of updating requirements for association and conversion. Three consultations have already taken place, and we wish to thank all those who participated.

FSC has shared its feedback on a new European Union (EU) initiative, which will revise the EU Ecodesign Directive, aiming at making products placed on the European market more sustainable. More info here.

FSC has mandated Assurance Services International (ASI) to conduct a preliminary analysis of transaction data from 2019, collected from 553 certificate holders through certification bodies.

“Save our Forests. Save our Climate”

FSC’s Community and Family Forest Program begins the revision of the FSC-STD-01-003 SLIMF Eligibility Criteria with a new technical working group dedicated to this process. This revision will result in a streamlined application of small and low-intensity managed forests (SLIMF) throughout FSC as well as formalizing how to develop local thresholds for qualifying as SLIMF. 

IUFRO World Day is a global event with 24 hours of forest-related research topics, networking and emerging issues of relevancy for global policy makers. 

Despite measures taken by the Russian government to address the issue of illegal sanitary logging, it remains a problem across the country, especially in Irkutsk Oblast, and a great concern for FSC.

FSC invites you to provide your feedback on the Review Report draft 1-0 for the 60-series normative documents. These documents deal with the development, transfer and maintenance of Forest Stewardship Standards. The public consultation is open until 12 October 2021.    
 

From 3-11 September 2021, FSC International will participate in the World Conservation Congress of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Marseille, France.

The interim national standard (INS) of Cuba was adapted to the national context considering the diverse environmental, social, and geographical conditions of forest and plantations in the country and will be effective on 15 December 2021.   

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has released new core labour requirements in its chain of custody certification standard to provide added protection for the rights of workers in all FSC certified operations.

Several items supporting the implementation of the FSC core labour requirements are now available including a webinar download, national self-assessment templates, guidance document and more.

The e-training module for the FSC chain of custody standard is now updated to include the FSC core labour requirements.

FSC standard at heart of new collaborative push to conserve habitat for Alberta’s woodland caribou

FSC relies on its diverse array of stakeholders to help ensure the applicability, efficiency, and integrity of our global certification system. We currently have three related documents currently available for public consultation that will change key components of FSC and are looking for your input through the FSC Consultation Platform.   

FSC has published a revised annual administration fee (AAF) policy, bringing changes in the fee for chain of custody certification, from 1 July 2022.

Viña Concha y Toro, a wine producer in Chile, not only conserves forests around their vineyards, but monitors and integrates ecosystem services as a fundamental part of their business approach.

A Q&A document about the FSC core labour requirements is now available for download on the FSC website.

FSC is seeking candidates for a technical working group to revise its small and low-intensity forest (SLIMF) Eligibility Criteria (FSC-STD-01-003). The call for applicants has been extended until 15 August 2021.

There have been minor changes to the National Risk Assessment for Australia.

FSC has released its innovative policy solution towards making the FSC system more accessible: the Continuous Improvement Procedure. The first draft of this document is now available for public consultation and webinars are scheduled for interested stakeholders.  

After 13 years at the helm, Forest Stewardship Council US President Corey Brinkema has stepped down. Effective July 1, FSC Canada president Francois Dufresne has been serving as interim president of FSC US on a part-time basis until a new permanent president is in place.

FSC received information that two United Kingdom-registered entities, UK Merit Assessments Ltd. and United Accredium Certification and Inspection Limited, posed as authentic certification bodies and provided counterfeit FSC certificates in the Indian market.

In response to the insufficient transition periods due to COVID-19, FSC has extended transition periods for affected national standards.

In their 88th meeting in June 2021, the FSC International Board of Directors appointed Sarah Harris to the role of the non-voting chair of the Policy and Standards Committee for a two-year period.

FSC Board has approved that reviews and revisions of FSC-STD-01-001 FSC Principles and Criteria and FSC-STD-60-004 International Generic Indicators will be conducted in a single process. Additionally,  a general model for the incorporation of new and revised international generic indicators into national standards in the next scheduled revision of National Forest Stewardship Standards (NFSS) was also approved. 

The two consultations are open from 15 July – 12 September 2021. We invite your feedback via the FSC Consultation Platform.

Russia is home to enormous forest areas: approximately 800 million hectares, which can be compared to the area of New York City multiplied by ten thousand, or five per cent of the total land area of planet Earth.  The Russian pristine taiga alone is greater than the Amazon Rainforest. 

Failure to agree on the independent verification process has prompted FSC to terminate Korindo’s certificates.

We are opening a call for application to join the consultative forum for the revision of FSC Controlled Wood Standard for Forest Management Enterprises (FSC-STD-30-010).

A public consultation on the PSU Review Report of the Policy on Partial Certification of Large Ownerships (FSC-POL-20-002 V1) was launched on 8 July 2021. FSC asks stakeholders to share their feedback by 19 August 2021.

FSC is seeking candidates for a technical working group to revise its SLIMF Eligibility Criteria (FSC-STD-01-003). The call for applicants is open until 31 July 2021.

The national forest stewardship standard of Russia has gone through an editorial update.

Channel 4 News in the UK released a news story about an investigation into the loss of key habitats due to the biomass green revolution.

As a multi-stakeholder initiative, FSC relies on its diverse array of stakeholders to help ensure the applicability, efficiency, and integrity of our global certification system. We have multiple documents currently available for public consultation that will change key components of FSC and are looking for your input through the FSC Consultation Platform.

The FSC Guidance for Stakeholder Engagement is now published to the FSC Document Centre and can be viewed here.

FSC will host a webinar on the details of the FSC core labor requirements self-assessment.

The standard becomes effective on 15 October 2021.

The interim national standard (INS) of Belgium will be effective on 15 October 2021.

All COVID-19 derogations and interpretations are now valid through 31 December 2021. Additionally, the general auditing derogation FSC-DER-2020-001 has been amended by adding one additional option for handling forest management re-evaluation audits. 

The standard becomes effective on 01 October 2021.

The standard becomes effective on 01 October 2021.

FSC is seeking candidates for a technical working group to revise its SLIMF Eligibility Criteria (FSC-STD-01-003). The call for applicants is open until 31 July 2021.

FSC has developed a new procedure to improve access to, and uptake of, the FSC system by small forest owners and communities. This Continuous Improvement Procedure is now open for public consultation and can be accessed here.

There are two more weeks to take part in our first consultation on proposed changes to the FSC Policy for Association (PfA). Share your feedback via the FSC Consultation Platform.

FSC will be hosting a series of webinars on 30 June, 2 July, and 22 July. These will include informational webinars, technical topic webinars and targeted discussions in relation to the draft of the FSC Policy for Association (PfA) Remediation Framework.

The contents of the webinar on 18 and 19 May are now available for download in English and Spanish.

The FSC Ecosystem Services Procedure has helped Maderacre verify its positive impacts on biodiversity and carbon, supporting the protection of the most iconic tropical rainforest in the world.

As of 21 June 2021, the draft  of the FSC Policy for Association (PfA) Remediation Framework is available for public consultation. It is open until 21 August 2021 and can be found on the FSC public consultation platform accessed here.

Riga, the capital city of Latvia, has been successful with its FSC certification of the entire urban forest, following other European municipalities like Paris, Lisbon and Amsterdam.

The Government of Gabon has issued a groundbreaking decision to certify 100% of Gabonese forest concessions to FSC Standards. This project is supported through a grant from the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

The consultation on FSC-STD-40-007’s review report will be open until 14 July 2021.

The second draft of the FSC Conversion Remedy Procedure (FSC-PRO-01-007 V1-0 D2-0) is available for a public consultation from 15 June to 14 August 2021 and can be accessed here. 

The FSC Board of Directors has decided to hold the event in two parts prioritizing the health and safety of the participants.

The application period for the working group has been reopened.

FSC-DER-2020-005 has been updated and can be downloaded here.

The Motion 7 working group (WG) was formed in August 2018 for the development of FSC Policy on Conversion and completed the policy development process in December 2020.

Pirelli is the first company to produce FSC-certified tyres. This sustainability milestone demonstrates that an FSC-certified value chain, from smallholder-owned rubber plantations to consumers, is possible for natural rubber used in auto tyres.

The consultation is open from 17 May – 16 July 2021. We invite your feedback via the FSC Consultation Platform.

As we mark the second year after the launch of the GIS Portal, FSC International Senior Outreach Officer, Technology and Innovation Loa Dalgaard Worm shares insights on the project. She describes the progress of FSC, its use of technology and ways in which it will lead to simplified audits and increased transparency of the FSC system and its certificate holders.

The forest sector has an important role to play in tackling climate change.

Certification bodies (CBs) are an integral part of the FSC system and support our mission to take care of the world’s forests.

FSC has contributed to the public consultation on the upcoming European Union (EU) Forest Strategy, and outlined how it can help achieve the strategy’s key objectives.

The contents of the webinar on 25 and 26 March is now available for viewing in English and Spanish.

The project is a joint initiative of Precious Forests Foundation, the Borneo Initiative and the Forest Stewardship Council.

FSC Chile is implementing a new approach towards getting more smallholders certified by working with a broad group of stakeholders towards impactful and mutually beneficial outcomes.

Next time you add them to your shopping bag, make sure they are sourced sustainably by looking for the FSC logo.

This past year we have witnessed an unprecedented worldwide reality due to COVID and a halting of travel, but nonetheless needed to continue certifying organizations dealing with forest and forestry products while maintaining integrity and regular verifications of existing certificate holders in the face of limited in-person audits.

The INS of Sri Lanka has been adapted at the national level to reflect the diverse legal, social, and geographical conditions of forests and plantations in Sri Lanka. The interim national standard (INS) of Sri Lanka will be effective on 01 August 2021.

With the release of the FSC Global Strategic Plan 2015-2020, FSC is declaring our intention to more than double our share of global forest-based trade in the next five years, to 20 per cent.

It was an early morning start in the Peruvian Amazon, but we had a lot of ground to cover that day.

Française des Jeux has signed a sponsorship deal with International Paper (IP) Forêt Services to support a crucial biodiversity restoration project in south-western France. The funding helps maintain good forest practices verified through the FSC Ecosystem Services Procedure.

Across the boreal forests of Canada, “grey ghosts” have roamed for hundreds of years, elusive creatures that seek out forest landscapes undisturbed by humans.

Would you like to play a key role in protecting FSC’s reputation and promoting improvements in business practices? Can you analyze complex information and take fair, impartial decisions? We have a new opportunity to join as a decision panelist for Policy for Association complaints.

Forum members will be consulted on new developments in the FSC Chain of Custody system, with a focus on Advice Notes.

All members and experts are encouraged to apply to join the working group revising the FSC risk assessment procedures.

FSC supports the EU Commission in promoting the demand for deforestation-free products, and thus has shared five recommendations for a robust EU legislation aiming at minimizing the risk that products associated with deforestation are placed on the EU market.

New role to lead FSC’s climate and ecosystem services market offerings

In an open letter addressed to FSC International’s Director General, Kim Carstensen, the Swedish trade union GS Facket urged FSC to declare Myanmar “a high-risk country” for violating human rights and cease from certifying raw materials (specifically teak) that originate from the country.

Positive impacts on watersheds, carbon and biodiversity were verified through the FSC Ecosystem Services Procedure in an area of 16.3 thousand hectares.

The webinar for certificate holders will focus on technical specificities of the requirements and their implementation.

The deadline of the public consultation on the Second Draft of the FSC International Generic Indicators (IGIs)for the use of Highly Hazardous Pesticides has been extended to 18 April 2021.

Our guest blogger, Eva Toebat, recently completed her master’s thesis by examining FSC’s impact on ecosystem service supply in a forest landscape in Chile. Eva shares the results of the study with readers of ‘The Root of the Matter’.

In January 2011, the world’s first FSC certified woodwind instrument was put on sale, sourced from certified forests in Tanzania.

The effective date for FSC-STD-40-004 V3-1 Chain of Custody Certification has been postponed to 1 September 2021, and the transition period extended to 31 December 2022. 

A new Spanish webinar has been newly scheduled on 06 April 2021 to present the second draft of the International Generic Indicators for the Use of Highly Hazardous Pesticides.

FSC continues its dedicated approach to protect Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’ rights by publishing new guidelines on securing a participatory and equitable approach to decision making through the implementation of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC). This new version of the FSC Guidelines for the Implementation of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) can be downloaded in the Document Centre here.  

FSC introduces transaction verification for wood pellets covering the major producer and consumer markets in the Asia. 

The second draft of FSC International Generic Indicators for the use of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (FSC-STD-60-004a) is available from 10 Feb 2021 through 11 April 2021 for public consultation and can be accessed here. We invite all stakeholders to provide feedback.

Webinars have been scheduled on 25 March 2021 and 30 March 2021 to present the second draft of the International Generic Indicators for the Use of Highly Hazardous Pesticides.

FSC has published a report related to a recent public consultation. The discussion focused on the FSC advice note addressing deliberately false claims and associated procedure.

Forum members will be consulted on new developments in the FSC Chain of Custody system, with a focus on Advice Notes.

By Barbara Bramble on behalf of the FSC International board

A public consultation on the PSU Review Report of the FSC-STD-01-003 V1.0, SLIMF Eligibility Criteria was launched on 12 March 2021. FSC asks stakeholders to give their feedback by 11 April 2021.

Learn more about the recent revision to the Forest Management Group Standard (FSC-STD-30-005 V2-0) at our upcoming interactive webinars during the first week of March.

All members and experts are encouraged to apply to join the working group revising the FSC risk assessment procedures.

Two new procedures regarding the approval of National Standards have been published to the FSC Document Centre. 

All stakeholders are invited to comment on the review report on FSC-STD-40-004a FSC Product Classification.

Would you like to play a key role in protecting FSC’s reputation and promoting improvements in business practices? Can you analyze complex information and take fair, impartial decisions? We have a new opportunity to join as a decision panelist for Policy for Association complaints.

Across the globe, women face systematic, structural, and contextual disadvantages. The forestry sector is no exception, and FSC works to make forestry a better place for everyone.  

FSC will host two basic webinars covering the changes introduced to the FSC Chain of Custody certification requirements by the inclusion of the FSC Core Labour Requirements. 

This webinar will only cover basic concepts, as a future webinar will cover technical review of the new requirements.

Members needed for new task force.

Earthsight – a non-profit organization dedicated to researching and investigating environmental and social injustice - recently published a report that shares the findings of its investigative work relating to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and the certification of certain entities in Ukraine and Romania.

All stakeholders are invited to comment on the review report on FSC-STD-40-004a FSC Product Classification.

A technical working group (TWG) is now tasked with redesigning the procedure for the Development and Revision of FSC Normative Documents (FSC-PRO-01-001) by making it more agile, effective, outcome and risk oriented, to ultimately facilitate the streamlining of the normative framework.  

Subscribe to our email list to get regular updates on the revision process and share your feedback with the team developing the policy.

Bukit Muria Jaya – a subsidiary of the Djarum Group - withdrew its FSC certificate and that has ended the association between FSC and the Djarum Group.

FSC has shared evidence with the EU Commission stressing how mandatory and voluntary approaches are not mutually exclusive, but mutually supportive.

FSC Germany offers a forum to discuss various forest conditions and challenges. During these digital events, high-level experts from politics, society and FSC critically assess different issues related to forest certification. Participation and discussion are very welcome.

Members for the technical working group have been selected to revise FSC-STD-20-007 and will begin meeting in February 2021.

In 2016, we established the New Approaches project, designed to develop additional ways for us to support smallholders and communities on their journey to FSC certification. Today, the project is built on 25 years of work culminating into a formalized program within FSC to continue developing innovative approaches towards social policy and smallholders and communities.   

The revised FSC Chain of Custody standards (FSC-STD-40-004 and FSC-STD-20-011) now include auditable social compliance requirements.

By José Balta

The interim national standard (INS) of Kenya will be effective on 01 May 2021.

FSC has worked with members of the European Parliament, trade unions, think tanks, businesses and NGOs to make sure the European Recovery Plan paves the way for a new green recovery.

FSC has shared insights with the EU Commission on a new EU legislative initiative aiming at making claims more reliable, comparable and verifiable across the European Union (EU).

Anders Blom, FSC Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee member and FSC Indigenous Foundation Chair, gave this moving speech during a session at the recent Daring Cities conference.

We are pleased to announce the release of the FSC Global Strategy 2021-2026.

By Kim Carstensen, Director General, FSC.

In a recent review, FSC has uncovered several companies deliberately carried false claims and were terminated in the bamboo supply chain transaction verification, but came back with new certificates.

A revised version of FSC-PRO-30-006 V1-1 Ecosystem Services Procedure: Impact Demonstration and Market Tools with small and administrative changes has been published.

FSC suspends and terminates several FSC certificates in the plywood supply chain.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has reached an important milestone with the approval of the FSC core labour requirements within the Chain of Custody standards. With this new step, the principles of the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Core Conventions and the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at work (1998) are integrated into FSC’s Chain of Custody standards.

The code is meant to help FSC members, external staff and consultants to achieve a better way of working together.

COVID-19 has presented FSC with many challenges, the most important of which is maintaining FSC’s mission to take care of the world’s forests while is protecting the health of certificate holders and auditors at the frontline of our work.

The revised Policy for Association (PfA) complaint procedure – allowing for swifter processes and better outcomes for forests and people – will be tested in 2021.

The FSC Ecosystem Services Procedure FSC-PRO-30-006, an initiative to create incentives

FSC decided to launch a third public consultation to further develop and finalize FSC Policy on Conversion. The 60-day consultation is available through the FSC consultation platform until 6 November 2020.

FSC International, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development, the University of Liège and Biotope are pleased to announce their collaboration to join the global discussion on forests.

The BBC recently reported on allegations against the Korindo Group (Korindo) concerning its oil palm operations in Indonesia. The report referenced the action taken by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) following the FSC Policy for Association complaint made against Korindo in 2017. It also presented new information that alleges Korindo used fire for land clearing. 

Within the new EU Circular Economy Action Plan, FSC International has been engaged on a new EU initiative aiming at strengthening the role of consumers in the green transition.

FSC is seeking candidates for a technical working group to revise the procedure FSC-PRO-01-001 Development and Revision of FSC Normative Documents. The call for applicants has been extended until 7 January 2021.

The Forest Management Groups standard (FSC-STD-30-005) is the first forest solution delivered by the New Approaches team and has been revised and approved by the FSC International Board of Directors on November 19, less than two years after the establishment of the working group in charge of the revision.

The standard becomes effective on 15 March 2021.

This Advice might not be comprehensive enough to regulate how species information is being collected and treated in FSC.

The added value of ecologically demanding forest certificates is now financially recognised by the German government.

Growing concerns over illegal salvage logging in the Russian Federation prompted FSC Russia to launch a study to assess the risks of illegal timber – especially timber obtained illegally through salvage logging – entering FSC supply chains.

Members have been selected for the technical working group and their first meeting will be held in January 2021.

The interim national standard (INS) of Croatia will be effective on 01 April 2021.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is delighted to invite you to join its High-Level Conference: Alliances for Nature-Based Solutions: Companies, Donors and Indigenous Peoples Coming Together for Forest Stewardship, which will take place on 10 December, 2020.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is delighted to invite you to join its High-Level Conference: Launching FSC’s Global Strategy 2021-2026 – Demonstrating the Value and Benefits of Forest Stewardship, which will take place on 9 December, 2020.

Our 2019 Annual Report celebrates not only our achievements for the year, but also the hard work in the preceding 25 years that made it all possible.

The Galician Forestry Association (abbreviated in Spanish as “AFG”), recently used the new FSC Forest Carbon Monitoring Tool to measure the positive impacts of their forest management practices on carbon sequestration.

Given the recent developments around the global outbreak of COVID-19 and increasing travel restrictions, we have updated the derogation that allows certification bodies unable to conduct on-site audits to either postpone the audit or replace it with desk audits.

The Cantabrian brown bear – one of the last native bear species in western Europe – is in danger of extinction. In its home region of Asturias in north-west Spain, the Asturian Wildlife Protection Fund (abbreviated as ‘FAPAS’ in Spanish) is improving the bear’s habitat to preserve the species, while highlighting the value of its home forests.

FSC is seeking candidates for a technical working group to revise its Forest Management Evaluations Standard and its associated addenda. The call for applicants has been extended until 30 November 2020.

The FSC risk assessment platform beta version has been launched, providing easy reference material about FSC risk assessments.

Due to the pandemic of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), vast areas of the world continue to be subject to travel restrictions, affecting certification bodies’ ability to perform on-site audits. FSC has issued one new derogation and has updated two derogations to address this situation.

As experts in the field of responsible forestry, FSC took this important opportunity to share input that will help combat illegal logging in the EU.

On the 7th and 9th of December, FSC will be hosting two webinars on the APRIL baseline assessment.

FSC is proud to introduce a new and visual way of communicating the effects of FSC certification on the ground through our new online impact dashboard.

FSC is seeking candidates for a technical working group to revise the procedure FSC-PRO-01-001 Development and Revision of FSC Normative Documents. The call for applicants is open until 14 December 2020.

“Supporting responsible forestry” is the new text of the MIX label. The new label will be launched in January 2022 with a transition period of 2.5 years.

The interim national standard (INS) of Suriname will be effective on 01 March 2021.

The national forest stewardship standard of Indonesia has gone through an editorial update.

FSC has joined 100+ NGOs supporting the #Together4Forests movement urging citizens to take part in a European Commission public consultation on deforestation to push for a strong EU law to keep products linked to deforestation, forest fires, nature destruction and human rights violations off the European market.

Assurance Services International (ASI) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) have finalized and now closed the investigation of inaccuracies in FSC Eucalyptus supply chains in the Iberian Peninsula (For further background see previous news stories).

The programme allows consumers to shop for sustainable products online including a wide range of FSC certified products.

The hackathon ran from July to August, and winners were announced 22 September.

FSC co-signed a letter to the Members of the European Parliament to support the AGRI Committee's report, which will be voted on 6 October 2020.

FSC is pleased to announce that it will not increase the annual administration fee (AAF) in 2021.

FSC addresses supply chain integrity in regards to FSC-certified Aucoumea klaineana Pierre (Okoume).

FSC launched the final public consultation to comment on the third draft of FSC Policy on Conversion (FSC-POL-01-007 V1-0 D3-0) on 7 September 2020 and can be accessed here. The deadline to participate is 6 November 2020.

The FSC Document Catalogue has been expanded to include information on ongoing and planned processes to revise and develop normative documents and guidelines in 2020-2022.

The standard becomes effective on 06 January 2021.

FSC digital audit reports for forest management are now ready for auditors around the globe to start training on the use of them. Use of the system will become mandatory for all forest management audits conducted from January 2021 onwards.

Ukraine has significant forest areas with high environmental, social and economic value. But for years, its forestry sector has battled with critical issues, including corruption, that directly impact the country’s forests.

The standard will be effective on 29 December 2020.

The standard will become effective on 01 January 2021.

Through this initiative, Amazon is helping to transform the global market for FSC-certified products and helping to protect the world’s forests for generations to come.

The Indigenous Peoples Alliance for Rights and Development aims to create solutions to empower world’s Indigenous Peoples with long-term capacity to manage, develop, and govern their territories based on the principles of self-determined development, traditional practices, environmental conservation, and respect to their customary rights. 

“We will support indigenous communities in providing innovative solutions to global challenges through FSC's multi-stakeholder platform”.

We love forests! For more than 25 years we’ve been working to take care of them for future generations.

After a year of worldwide climate protests, Earth Day 2020 – the 50th anniversary – was poised to be a defining moment in the fight against climate change.