CoC - extension of transitory period
FSC has extended the expiry date for two exemptions from the FSC chain of custody requirements by one year:
1. Use of non-certified co-products instead of controlled wood material for FSC-Mixed products.
Normally, controlled wood status is required for non-certified inputs of virgin wood in FSC-Mixed products. Co-products are the only exception.
Co-products are by-products of primary manufacturing of another product. An example of FSC production using co-products is a wood panel manufacturer who purchases chips from sawmills. Since the chips are not the primary production of the sawmill, they can be classified as co-products.
2. A minimum requirement of 50% FSC-certified inputs for labeling chip and fiber products, as compared to the general minimum requirement of 70%.
This applies to companies such as paper producers, paper merchants, printing houses and packaging industries. Fiber-based FSC-products may be labeled with the FSC-Mixed Sources label under the percentage or transfer systems, if the input of FSC virgin material and/or post-consumer reclaimed material is at least 50%.
These exemptions were planned to be removed by 31 December of 2009, but have now been extended till the end of 2010.
Market supply analysis
Meanwhile, FSC has initiated a review of the supply situation for certified wood chips and fiber, expected to be ready by mid-2010. The extension of the transitory period allows the market supply analysis to be finalized before the exemptions are lifted. Any further adjustments of the exemptions may be expected to be based on the outcomes of this analysis.
The new decision and related background are included in a formal advice note from FSC.
