In both global events, we presented the voting prioritization survey results, the agenda for the launch of the Statutory Requirements, an overview of all the motion discussions in 2020/2021, and the next steps of the motions process. Additionally, members were able to ask questions regarding the upcoming activities towards the Virtual GA 2021.
In this webinar, members had the chance to ask the candidates questions, ask about their position on relevant topics, and their vision for the future of FSC under their leadership.
This two-day meeting covered relevant FSC topics for members in North America, including:
FSC Global Strategic Plan & Implementation Framework
FSC Priorities in North America
General Assembly Update
Thematic Discussions on topics including: solid wood market development; climate & ecosystem services; showcasing additional value for certificate holders and more.
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.
International members representing the interests of the following subchambers are encouraged to apply for a four-year term on the Policy and Standards Committee (PSC):
The public consultation on the Update of the FSC Global Strategic Plan 2021-2026 is still ongoing. We would love to hear your views about the strategic direction FSC should take for the future. The consultation platform closes on February 26th, and we are looking forward to receiving your feedback.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has decided to set conditions for maintaining association with WOB Timber GmbH based on the recommendations of a panel of external experts (decision panel), which were approved by the FSC International Board of Directors. In June 2023, FSC and WOB Timber signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which stipulates the conditions that WOB Timber shall fulfil within 12 months for maintaining its association with FSC.
This update follows the announcement shared in February 2022 regarding the commencement of phase one of a proposed two-phase multi-year learning process on genetic engineering (GE) in forestry outside of FSC-certified area.
The present document contains certification requirements for certifying forest operations in Central America, developed in accordance with FSC's normative document for the development and maintenance of FSC Forest Stewardship Standards. Revisions of FSC Forest Stewardship Standards are ongoing, and all existing standards will be transferred to the revised Principles & Criteria version 5-2. All standards are valid until replaced by a new FSC Forest Stewardship Standard.
The present document contains certification requirements for certifying forest operations as described in the scope of this standard. All standards are valid until replaced by a new FSC Forest Stewardship Standard.
The present document contains certification requirements for certifying forest operations in plantations in Uruguay, developed in accordance with FSC's normative document for the development and maintenance of Forest Stewardship Standards. Revisions of Forest Stewardship Standards are ongoing, and all existing standards will be transferred to the revised Principles & Criteria version 5-2. All standards are valid until replaced by a new Forest Stewardship Standard.
The present document contains certification requirements for certifying forest operations from smallholders in plantations in Vietnam, developed in accordance with FSC's normative document for the development and maintenance of FSC Forest Stewardship Standards. Revisions of FSC Forest Stewardship Standards are ongoing, and all existing standards will be transferred to the revised Principles & Criteria version 5-2. All standards are valid until replaced by a new FSC Forest Stewardship Standard.
FSC had decided to waive the Annual Administration Fee (AAF) for all types of certifications in Ukraine from Q2/2022 until the end of Q4/2024, regardless of their certification status.
In August 2024, FSC decided to reinstate the AAF for certifications in Ukraine starting 01 January 2025 in a phased approach.
This Advice Note serves to implement this decision.
The following requirements aim to ensure that the certification body decision making entity has sufficient information on which to base its decisions with respect to conformity with FSC forest stewardship standards, and to help FSC ensure that there is consistency in decision making between different certification bodies.
The social impacts of forest management mean that forest management is a social as a well as a technical activity. It is not possible to involve all stakeholders in every forest evaluation. It is therefore essential that forest certification and its results should be open to public scrutiny. This is the only way to demonstrate to all interested or affected parties that the certification decisions are justified and acceptable. It is a basic requirement of the FSC scheme that certification bodies make a summary report of each certified forest operation publicly available.
This guide is intended for organizations that wish to use the FSC trademarks for the promotion of FSC-certified labelled products or services and it replaces the FSC-STD-50-002 'Requirements for promotional use of the FSC trademarks by non-certificate holders' that was withdrawn on 31st May 2020.
Depending on when the unacceptable activity occurs/occurred, FSC will determine which policy version is used as the point of reference. If the unacceptable activity occurred prior to 2023, version 2-0 of the policy will be applied, whereas if the unacceptable activity occurs in 2023 or beyond, version 3-0 of the Policy for Association will be applied. To access Policy for Association, version 2-0, click here . The Policy for Association is an expression of the values shared by individuals and organizations associated with FSC. It defines six unacceptable activities that associated individuals and organizations and their corporate group commit to avoid in both certified and non-certified operations. The Policy for Association serves as a risk management tool for FSC, protecting the credibility and reputation of the FSC brand and organizations associated with it.