FSC Controlled Wood standard to be amended
A new draft version of the standard for Company Evaluation of FSC Controlled Wood is open for public consultation until 30 November. It includes several new requirements, which have been added in order to ensure that FSC products will meet the EU Timber Regulation.
FSC has opened a consultation on changes to the FSC Controlled Wood standard, FSC-STD-40-005 Company Evaluation of FSC Controlled Wood. The proposed changes include new requirements and are an outcome of FSC’s work to align the FSC system with the EU Timber Regulation, the US Lacey Act and the FLEGT scheme.
Whilst the new requirements imply challenges for many companies sourcing controlled material, the draft version highlights a key benefit: companies may use their company verification program for sourcing FSC Controlled Wood as a basis for their Due Diligence program required by the EU from 2013, or as evidence toward demonstrating Due Care as required by the US Lacey Act.
Key changes
The changes that FSC foresees concern the collection and reporting of information regarding species, country of harvest, trade and custom laws. The draft revisions to the FSC Controlled Wood standard require certificate holders to record the following information: description of the wood or wood products supplied; the species; volume of wood supplied; the value of the wood or wood products supplied; the country and where applicable, concession of harvest.
When making sales of FSC Controlled Wood, the information above is required to be included on invoices and delivery documentation. Additionally, companies are required to collect other relevant purchasing documentation indicating compliance with applicable legislation and pass this along when making FSC Controlled Wood sales.
Tammy Coe, Chain of Custody expert at the Rainforest Alliance, says: “Some companies may find these revisions increase the level of effort required to conduct their own controlled material verification program. On the other hand, this may generate a push for FSC certification of those products. At the end of the day, FSC can’t afford to ignore the requirements of the EU Timber Regulation, a key piece of legislation that will change the EU timber market”.
FSC demands disclosure of all company-based risk assessments and expects to publish these at the Global Forest Registry website.
The consultation ends on 30 November.
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