On September 24, 20123, the FSC International Board of Directors passed a motion to extend of the cut-off date for company risk assessments until December 31, 2014. The decision was based on the Controlled Wood Working Group’s recommendation to align indicators with the revised Principles & Criteria for making risk designations and to develop a new procedure for developing National Risk Assessments to increase their rigor, consistency and value.
As such, the FSC International Controlled Wood Working Group feels that additional time is needed for FSC to develop the new requirements and for National Offices, like FSC Canada, to implement them.
FSC Certificate holders can continue to develop and implement their own FSC Controlled Wood verification program according to the Controlled Wood Standard (FSC-STD-40-005 V2.1 AND FSC-DIR-40-005) until December 2014.
Next StepsThe revised indicators and procedures are currently being developed by FSC IC and will be discussed during the FSC IC Controlled Wood Working Group Meeting in mid-November. The revised indicators will then undergo a 60-day consultation period, along with the revised draft Controlled Wood Standard, FSC-STD-40-005 v3. Once a solid draft of the indicators and procedures are developed, FSC Canada will use them to continue developing a National Controlled Wood Risk Assessment for Canada.
While the cut-off date has been extended, FSC Canada remains committed in conducting a National Risk Assessment at the earliest time practicable, and will actively work with the FSC Canada Controlled Wood Working Group and stakeholders towards this end. FSC Canada expects to have a National Risk Assessment completed by early 2014.
FSC Canada and the Canadian Controlled Wood Working Group are now reviewing a draft report for Category 3, Assessing High Conservation Values with focus on HCV#1 and the identification of threatened and endangered species.
While considering the potential changes to the National Controlled Wood Risk Assessment process, the FSC Canada Controlled Wood Working Group will focus its work on the categories that will not be changed significantly such as, legality, GMOs, and conversion. Of the categories that will have changed requirements, the Canadian CW Working Group will continue careful work ased on available information.
To stay up-to-date on the latest information regarding FSC Canada’s National Controlled Wood Risk Assessment, visit www.fsccanada.org/cwriskassessment.htm
For questions, please contact Vivian Peachey, E: vpeachey@fsccanada.org