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Agenda items for discussion:
1. The FSC Global Strategy and its effect on boreal forests
The second draft of the Global Strategy is now out for consultation. If you go to the consultation platform, you will find some great material developed together with the Board Strategic Planning Committee (BSPC). This includes a short video with BSPC Chair, Al Thorne, explaining some of the thinking that’s gone into the second draft and a new document that explains some of the main changes from draft 1 to draft 2 and why they were made.
The discussion was concentrated on the effect of the Global Strategy for Boreal forests and allow members to discuss their inputs in the consultation process.
2. FSC and High-value forests
With the upcoming FSC General Assembly next year, we discussed how FSC addresses certification of high-value forests, such as Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs). As preparation for this discussion, we have taken steps to develop a research knowledge base and partnership. We seek the research basis for defining a way forward, allowing FSC to offer fact-based and pro-active nature-based solutions that respect the necessary protection of high-value forests in the landscape, and identify where and how FSC certified management of these forests and landscapes can be done in a responsible way, including the use of existing tools like certification of Ecosystem Services or Non-Timber Forest Products.
In this meeting, we updated members and stakeholders on plans and activities developed for high-value forests including IFLs, and sought feedback to these.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Gemma Boetekees at g.boetekees@fsc.org
FSC International held the Second Conversion Dialogue, which took place online on November 30, 2020 at 11:00 (CET), and an identical second session at 16:00 (CET).
The following topics were covered:
- Plan for further dialogue on conversion towards the upcoming FSC General Assembly (GA) in October 2021. What can you expect as decision making process?
- Drivers for deforestation in regions, specifically Africa and North America
- Outcomes on discussions in the Conversion Working Group (WG) and Technical Working Group (TWG) after the consultation at the beginning of November.
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.
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.
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:
- An overview of the planned timelines for discussions and decisions in the different processes relevant for the Policy on Conversion. We will look at what is expected in the lead-up to the FSC General Assembly, what will be available for discussion and decision at the GA itself, and what will happen after;
- The process of alignment between FSC’s work on conversion and the Policy for Association with a particular focus on how we ensure that remedy is considered in a consistent way across the different work streams.
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.
In this meeting, members discussed the following motions:
- Statutory Motion 02/2020*
- Statutory Motion 03/2020*
- Statutory Motion 04/2020*
- Statutory Motion 36/2021
*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:
- Morning meeting (in English only)
- Afternoon meeting plenary (cross-chamber discussion) in English
- Afternoon meeting plenary (cross-chamber discussion) in Spanish
- Afternoon meeting plenary (cross-chamber discussion) in French
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)
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.
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Read the closing statement from Ralph Schmidt-Liermann, candidate for the Economic South sub-chamber.
Explore his closing thoughts as he shares his perspective and vision as a board candidate.
View his written message below.
The Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) decision to lift the suspension of Asia Pulp and Paper’s (APP) remedy process marks an important step in ensuring accountability for past environmental and social harms. Remedy is the pathway FSC uses to confront serious violations — not avoid them — and to drive real, lasting change on the ground.
Effective 25 February 2020, organizations seeking to source controlled wood from Chile and Honduras are required to use the latest FSC risk assessment to conform with standard FSC-STD-40-005 Requirements for Sourcing FSC Controlled Wood.
The FSC risk assessment for Chile is only in Spanish, and the FSC risk assessment for Honduras is only in English.
… the future. The standard becomes effective on 1 October 2024. About one third of Poland is forested, and just over …
The public consultation is open between 11 July and 14 August 2022 and will be used to collect stakeholder feedback on the joint review report of FSC-STD-20-001 V4-0 General requirements for FSC accredited certification bodies and two related procedures, FSC-PRO-20-003 V1-0 FSC Certificates and License Agreements and FSC-PRO-20-004 V1-2 General Requirements for an FSC Training Programme.
… label among Spanish consumers — El Pais According to a 2024 survey, FSC is the most recognized forest certification …
Since May 2016, the Governance Review Working Group (GRWG) has been working on an extensive analysis and review of FSC’s governance structure, mandated by motion 42 of the General Assembly 2014. This work included an intense deliberative process with conference calls, meetings, presentations, consultations, discussion papers, webinars, motion proposals and will conclude with the presentation of our findings and recommendations at the upcoming General Assembly in Vancouver.
In August, the FSC International Board of Directors approved the report submitting the generic criteria and indicators, giving the green light to the development of auditable requirements for certificate holders.
FSC has published and advice note to formally implement the decision made by the FSC Board in January 2020 to streamline and facilitate the transfer of International Generic Indicators version two (IGIs V2-0) to National Forest Stewardship Standards (ADVICE-60-006-01 V1-0 EN Advice Note on Incorporation of new International Generic Indicators introduced with FSC-STD-60-004 V2-0 into National Forest Stewardship Standards).
The Amazon rainforest is one of the world’s most vital ecosystems. As a massive carbon sink, it provides vital benefits for biodiversity, water, and global climate regulation. Yet deforestation is increasing. Between 2019 and 2022, Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research recorded forest loss of nearly 10,000 square kilometres per year. Identifying strategies to halt deforestation is crucial.
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The present document contains certification requirements for certifying forest operations in Chinese Taipei, 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 from smallholders in plantations in Indonesia, 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 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.
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.
Please note that the content of this normative document has been streamlined into FSC-STD-20-007 Forest Management Evaluations Standard (V4-0)
Publication date: 1 February 2023
Effective date: 1 July 2023
End of transition period: 31 December 2024
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.
Please note that the content of this normative document has been streamlined into FSC-STD-20-007 Forest Management Evaluations Standard (V4-0)
Publication date: 1 February 2023
Effective date: 1 July 2023
End of transition period: 31 December 2024
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.
This document provides FSC’s formal interpretation of requirements included in FSC-STD-20-007. An updated version was published on 1 August 2024.
The objective of this standard is to provide the requirements for FSC-accredited certification bodies to assess conformity of The Organization against applicable requirements of the FSC normative
framework with regards to forest management certification, as well as reporting and decision making.
To access the older version 3-0 effective only until December 31, 2025, click here .
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.
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.
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