Important FSC COC updates from Soil Association Certification

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Important FSC COC updates from Soil Association Certification

  1. FSC Regulatory Module FSC-STD-01-004 – FSC Aligned Certification with EUDR

FSC has published the FSC Regulatory Module, an updated FSC Risk Assessment Framework, and various Advice Notes and Interpretations to strengthen its commitment to sustainable forestry. These changes are immediately effective for users of the FSC Regulatory Module.

FSC Regulatory Module – FSC-STD-01-004: This new voluntary add-on module FSC-STD-01-004 FSC Regulatory Module supports EUDR compliance by providing additional requirements for Forest Management, Chain of Custody, and Controlled Wood Certification as well as accreditation requirements. It is designed to help companies use their FSC certification to meet EUDR’s stringent requirements by taking the guesswork out of what is required on top of FSC certification. The module outlines robust due diligence systems, conducting thorough risk assessments with FSC’s Risk Assessment Framework, and maintaining transparent supply chain documentation. Download the module in the Document Centre here. Learn more about the Regulatory Module here.

FSC Risk Assessment Framework – FSC-PRO-60-006b: The FSC-PRO-60-006b FSC Risk Assessment Framework is now immediately effective for users of the Regulatory Module and developers of risk assessments. The new framework provides a comprehensive tool for companies to assess and mitigate risks of sourcing forest materials. The Risk Assessment Framework is also applicable for Certificate Holders not affected by EUDR. With 64 indicators for assessing risks connected to relevant social and environmental aspects, FSC’s Risk Assessment Framework is aligned with EUDR regulatory requirements to ensure responsible sourcing. The next generation of FSC’s existing risk assessments for controlled wood sourcing will be based on this updated framework. Download the FSC Risk Assessment Framework in the Document Centre here.

System-wide changes through Advice Notes: To further tighten the FSC system to deliver deforestation-free products, FSC fast-tracked the implementation of changes from the intention of FSC’s Policy to Address Conversion. These changes are introduced to the existing system in the form of Advice Notes – which will ultimately ensure products are deforestation and degradation free in alignment with the EUDR and do not enter the system and become FSC-certified. Additional Advice Notes for chain of custody and controlled wood users are included to support the implementation of the Regulatory Module and align with global best practices. The following Advice Notes have been published and are immediately effective for users of the FSC Regulatory Module:

Supporting documents of the FSC Regulatory Module: FSC has also published complementary documents to support the implementation of the FSC Regulatory Module and clarify requirements and alignment with EUDR further. This includes:

  • FSC-GUI-40-004a-01 FSC Product Classification & Harmonized System Codes Alignment, which outlines how FSC product codes align with EUDR’s Harmonized System (HS) codes; you can access the guidance here.
  • Related interpretations for chain of custody (INT-STD-40-004-71). You can access the interpretation here.
  • Related interpretation for controlled wood (INT-STD-40-005-34 & INT-STD-40-005-35). You can access the interpretation here.
  • Related interpretation for forest management (INT-STD-01-004_01, INT-STD-01-004_02, INT-STD-01-004_03, INT-STD-01-004_04, INT-STD-01-004_05, INT-STD-01-004_06, INT-STD-01-004_07 & INT-STD-01-004_08). You can access the interpretation here.

These interpretations have been compiled with a comparison on FSC and EUDR terminology in FSC Regulatory Module Supporting Materials here.

Implementation dates:

  • July 1, 2024: Publication of normative documents, including FSC-STD-01-004 FSC Regulatory Module, FSC-PRO-60-006b FSC Risk Assessment Framework and related Advice Notes for system-wide changes.
  • July 1, 2024: Effective date of all published normative documents for users of the FSC Regulatory Module.
  • October 1, 2024: Effective date for Advice Notes for all certificate holders.
  • December 2025: Transition end date for Advice Notes for all certificate holders.
  1. ADVICE-40-004-23 V2-0 – Advice note on Evaluation of contractors against the FSC core labour requirements:

FSC has published an updated versions of advice note ADVICE-40-004-23 V2-0, which become effective on 1 November 2024. This advice note provides requirements for organizations (certificate holders and applicants) to ensure that non-FSC-certified contractors with outsourcing agreements can be evaluated against the FSC core labour requirements (CLR). The changes enhance the previous requirements, outlining that outsourcing agreements are to include commitment to FSC CLR, and the organization’s self-assessment are to include outsourcers. An additional clause is provided for risk level, with requirements for the organization to provide evidence of any first-/second-/third-party audit of the contractor, if applicable. You can access the advice note (page 29): here.