06 Dec 2011

Scheme updates

FSC and PEFC requirements: update on key changes

By Preferred by Nature

The FSC and PEFC forest certification systems are constantly evolving based on stakeholder feedback and new developments in the political and legislative spheres.

Hence the schemes need to update their requirements relatively often. The past year has been no exception. In fact it seems to have been a particularly busy one for those drafting and consulting revisions and issuing new FSC or PEFC requirements.

In addition to other developments, both schemes have revised their Chain of Custody standards and incorporated social issues in their systems.

Overview of key changes

Below is a summary of key changes in the FSC and PEFC certification requirements that need the attention of most certificate holders. We have just passed the deadline for implementation of some of the listed requirements; however, we have included these changes in the tables to offer a full overview of recent changes.

FSC requirements

Topic/standard	Key changes	Deadline
Minor components Chain of Custody standard FSC-STD-40-004 V2-1 EN	Use of non-certified minor components in FSC products shall be phased out by the deadline	End of 2012
Social issues Chain of Custody standard FSC-STD-40-004 V2-1 EN	Self-declaration forms shall be duly signed A representative for occupational health and safety shall be appointed The Certificate Holder has procedure(s) for occupational health and safety The Certificate Holder has conducted training of staff on health and safety procedures	1 October 2012
Other changes in the Chain of Custody standard FSC-STD-40-004 V2-1 EN	New claims shall be used on invoices and transport documents, more in line with the claims used for on-product labeling The Addendum FSC-STD-40-004b FSC Species Terminology has been withdrawn, and FSC has abolished its requirements for on-product declarations for minor components.	1 October 2012
Product Classification addendum FSC-STD-40-004a V2	New product classification that needs to be followed in the product group list; this also has implications for the annual volume summaries, etc.	1 June 2012
Controlled Wood FSC-STD-40-005 Company Evaluation of FSC Controlled Wood	Amendmends of the standard are under consultation; companies are likely to need to meet some additional documentation requirements pertaining to collection and reporting of information regarding species, country of harvest, trade and custom laws.	Not known, but likely during 2012
“Sourcing reclaimed material for use in FSC Product Groups or FSC Certified Projects” (FSC-STD-40-007 V2-0)	There are a number of changes. A key change is that the supplier audit program is now only required for supplies that do not qualify for “inspection/classification upon receipt”, a new concept introduced with the revised standard.	1 April 2012

PEFC requirements

Topic/standard	Key changes	Deadline
Chain of Custody standard (PEFC ST 2002:2010) – social requirements	Compliance with ILO core conventions is required. The certificate holder shall ensure that elementary rights of workers are respected and ensure that the working conditions do not endanger the employees’ safety or health.	26 November 2011
Chain of Custody standard (PEFC ST 2002:2010) – other key changes	Procedures for handling complaints Written agreements and internal audit procedures covering subcontractors A number of requirements for documentation have been changed, and PEFC has provided clarification on several points that needs to be followed by certificate holders.	26 November 2011
Trademark use	New PEFC logo toolkit	26 November 2011