The Performance and Standards Unit presented a recommendation to FSC Board of Directors (BM 86) that explained that forestry contractors have been formally included as an optional element in the revised FM Groups standard which allows Group Entities to include contractors into the scope of FM/CoC group certificates. The potential use of existing forestry contractor certification schemes should be further explored as part of the revision of the normative documents that are related to the national standard setting and revision processes. The proposal was accepted.
The FSC Board also requested the provision of guidance and support for the uptake of the revised FM Groups standard. This will include specific projects with FSC network partners and regional offices. The uptake of the revised standard will be monitored and evaluated as well as how beneficial the possibility of including forestry contractors into the FM/CoC group certificates turns out to be.