Revised FSC Risk Assessment for Brazil

This Risk Assessment marks the first revised FSC Risk Assessment from Latin America, effective 28 April 2026.

The FSC Risk Assessment for Brazil (FSC-RA-BRA-02-2026, abbreviated to RA Brazil) is the first in the region to be revised in accordance with the updated FSC-PRO-60-006b FSC Risk Assessment Framework. It is a significant milestone for Brazil and the FSC system globally, aligning existing Controlled Wood Risk Assessments with the updated framework while supporting consistent, transparent, and internationally recognized approaches to responsible forest sourcing, including alignment with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

The RA Brazil process was launched in September 2024, and from 21 January 2025 to 3 March 2025 the first draft was opened for a focused public consultation for stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, including FSC members, country experts, research institutions, certification bodies and government enforcement agencies. The first draft of the RA was subsequently revised and submitted to FSC International in July 2025, followed by a constructive technical review and improvement process until final approval.

Stakeholder engagement and outreach

The revision of the Risk Assessment for Brazil involved extensive stakeholder engagement across multiple groups. Participation was strongest among stakeholders closely involved in certification, forestry operations, technical analysis, and policy discussions, including private sector actors, certification bodies, researchers, and civil society organizations. While participation levels varied across stakeholder groups, targeted outreach, translated materials, and multiple engagement channels were used to ensure inclusive, transparent, and well‑documented opportunities for engagement.

Key Highlights of Brazil’s Risk Assessment

The forest sector in Brazil is supported by comprehensive legislation, established institutions, and advanced monitoring systems, particularly for plantation forestry and regulated private supply chains. Brazil is classified as a standard‑risk country under the EU benchmarking, reflecting overall regulatory robustness while recognizing regional and source‑type variability.

The RA Brazil confirms these strengths while applying a precautionary approach where verification and enforcement challenges persist. Certain indicators were therefore designated as non‑negligible to support credible and effective due diligence in more complex sourcing contexts.

Where do non-negligible risks persist?

• Forest conversion and degradation: Residual risks persist mainly in native forests, particularly in remote areas and on lands with complex tenure. Plantation forests show significantly lower risk, reflecting clearer management and oversight.
• Corruption and document integrity: While strong anti‑corruption laws are in place, document and data falsification risks remain concentrated in native forests, especially on public land and in SLIMF operations. Compliance with the law is consistently higher when sourcing only from plantations.
• Health, safety, and labour rights: Labour and Occupational Safety and Health standards are well defined in law. Remaining risks are primarily linked to informal, small‑scale, or remote activities, more common in native forests and SLIMF, rather than formal plantation forestry.
• Trade and transport: While timber transport and export systems are well regulated and improving, risks remain upstream in domestic native forest timber flows, while plantation‑based and export‑oriented supply chains show stronger traceability.

Overall, the assessment reflects Brazil’s regulatory maturity and continued progress, while recognizing that certain risks persist by source type, mainly in native forests. The non‑negligible designations follow a precautionary approach, supporting transparency, confidence, and responsible sourcing rather than indicating systemic or nationwide deficiencies.

A note on the new framework

• FSC Risk Assessment Framework (FSC‑PRO‑60‑006b): This framework provides a comprehensive, EUDR‑aligned tool for assessing and mitigating social and environmental risks through 64 indicators. It forms the basis for the next generation of FSC Risk Assessments, applicable to both Regulatory Module and Controlled Wood users. Learn more about how these requirements were developed in the process page.
• Risk Hub Platform: All FSC Risk Assessments are now available on the Risk Hub, offering an interactive and transparent experience that allows stakeholders to explore, compare, and filter indicators across countries.
• Annual Revision: In line with FSC‑PRO‑60‑006b, FSC will review and update risk assessments annually, incorporating stakeholder feedback to ensure continued relevance. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide input directly via the “Feedback” option in the Risk Hub.

Effective Date & Access

• Effective date: Risk Assessment for Brazil is effective from 28 April 2026
• Access: Risk Hub | Document Centre | Consultation Report

Note: This Risk Assessment, developed in accordance with the PRO-60-006b, will become effective from its publication date. There is no transition period for this Risk Assessment. From the effective date, the previous Risk Assessment developed under FSC‑PRO‑60‑002a will expire and must no longer be used. Certificate holders and certification bodies are required to apply the new Risk Assessment from its effective date.

For more information on FSC Risk Assessment development and revision, visit FSC Risk Assessments.

For any queries on the risk assessment, please contact FSC Brazil (info@fsc.org.br) or the Country Requirements Programme (country_requirements@fsc.org).