
The Policy and Standards Committee acts on behalf of the Board of Directors (BoD) with respect to technical matters related to the development or revision of FSC Policies, Standards, Procedures and other FSC normative documents.
The FSC general assembly brings together hundreds of leaders and decision-makers from Indigenous Peoples, environmentalists, businesses, and others from FSC’s membership to discuss a responsible future for the world’s forests, and the people and animals who inhabit them. Delegates also include certification bodies, certificate holders, union representatives, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and observers.
Our membership fees vary according to the location of the individual or organizational member in either the global North or the global South. For organizations, membership fees also vary according to the type and size of the organization.
Theme: Standards & audit systems
Motions discussed: 10, 13, 14, 16, 30, 31, 37, 42, 45, 54, 55, 58, 60.
In this meeting, members discussed the following motions:
*Please note that these motions were modified at the close of the deadline for amending motions (August 31, 2021).
You can watch the recordings of the main plenary session here:
We have a selection of materials and multimedia resources related to your FSC membership in preparation for the GA 2022. Please contact your Membership Regional Coordinator for more information.
This webinar presented the board’s work to implement Motion 63 from 2017, including the efforts to develop a revised Network Policy and Procedure. In the webinar, members got an update on the process for this work, including the upcoming public consultation. The webinar was also relevant for the current motions related to Network Development.
Watch the recording here: English | Spanish (will be available soon)
FSC members vote for the FSC Board of Directors who are accountable to the members. The Board of Directors have the responsibility of monitoring the work of FSC, particularly that the motions passed at the General Assembly are being put forward.
This motion is now the result of a consolidation exercise by the motions proposers/seconders, merging former Motions 37, 38, 39/ 2021.
Motion 37/2021 if passed at the GA, is the motion that will provide the mechanism to update FSC’s highest level framework (P&C’s) and position on conversion (past, present and future) and enable the updated and aligned normative framework in the FSC system, as requested by Motion 07/2017.
The aligned package of normative documents was released for consultation last Friday, 11th March, and more details are available here. We invite you to look at the explanatory documentation in this consultation package.
Also note that Policy Motion 45/2021 - Stop the current process on revision of the FSC Policy on Conversion is connected to this motion and we were able to hear from the proposers of this motion.
We have reached a significant milestone in the relationship between the FSC system and the topic of conversion. We thank those members that joined us in this important dialogue and support FSC to establish new expectations and requirements for conversion- past, present and future- through remedy and restoration, as well as a new cut-off date for excluding material from the FSC system if it originates from converted natural forests or High Conservation Value areas.
We hosted two identical sessions to accommodate different time zones.
FSC International held the Third Conversion Dialogue, which took place online on 03 march 2021 at 10:00 (CET), with an identical second session at 16:00 (CET).
The following topics were covered:
With just 90 days to go until we gather in Panama and online for the FSC General Assembly, now is the perfect time to get engaged, get informed, and make sure your voice is part of the conversation. Whether you’re attending in person or virtually, here are 9 things you can do today.
FSC International members will choose a new Board Member to replace Mr. Estevão do Prado Braga as a representative of the Economic South Sub-Chamber. Mr. do Prado Braga tendered his resignation from this position at the last Board meeting in March. His term should normally have ended in 2021, but he will only remain a Board Member until the end of 2019.
FSC International’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Frank Harnischfeger, is stepping down from his position on 30 August 2023.
A revised New Zealand FSC Forest Stewardship Standard has been published and is effective on 15 April 2023.
FSC has approved two new advice notes to address conflicting legislation and differing interpretations of laws and regulations:
- ADVICE-20-007-21 applies to all certification bodies with FM in their accreditation scope.
- ADVICE-20-011-11 applies to all certification bodies with CoC in their accreditation scope.
There is so much happening at FSC around innovations. In this very first issue of FSC Inno-News, we introduce you to the various tech-based innovation projects going on in FSC.
The first draft of the FSC Conversion Remedy Procedure (FSC-PRO-01-007 V1-0 D1-0) will be available for a public consultation from 1 April to 31 May 2020 and will be accessible here.
The Final Agenda for the upcoming Sustainable Intensification Solutions Forum happening in Bonn, Germany from 24-26 of June 2019 is now available to all international members.
Advice notes to implement FSC Board decisions and to enforce the maintenance of Forest Stewardship Standards are now available in the Document Centre.