In September 2021, FSC announced the inclusion of FSC core labour requirements in its chain of custody (CoC) standard to provide added protection for the rights of workers in all FSC CoC certified operations. The new requirements allow FSC certificate holders to demonstrate support for the abolition of child labour, elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour, elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation, respect for freedom of association, and effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining.
Until December 22nd, 2022 both version 3-1 andthe previous version of the standard will be valid. After December 31st, 2022,no new certificates can be issued based on the previous version. Allcertificates must have transitioned to version 3-1 of the standard by sixmonths after December 31, 2022 or they will become invalid.
<b>Implementation Resource: National Self-Assessment Template</b>
To help certificate holders implement these new requirements, FSC Canada has developed a national self-assessment template which provides guidance when demonstrating conformance with the FSC core labour requirements.
