Start date
End date
Normative Documents
  1. FSC-PRO-01-008 V2-0 Processing Complaints in the FSC Certification Scheme
  2. FSC-PRO-01-005 V3-0 Processing Appeals
Document Purpose

FSC-PRO-01-005 V3-0 provides a transparent procedure for receiving, evaluating and deciding on appeals against decisions taken by FSC (this does not include accreditation decisions).

FSC-PRO-01-008 V2-0 ensures a timely, independent and effective resolution of complaints submitted by FSC stakeholders. These can be complaints regarding the FSC normative framework or the performance of FSC International, the FSC Network as well as complaints regarding the performance of Assurance Services International (ASI).
 

Process Objectives
  1. Develop a simplified, easily accessible and effective complaints and appeals procedure.
  2. Ensure a proper balance between escalation (subsidiarity) and impartiality. 
  3. Align with FSC’s regulatory requirements (including the Policy for Association complaints processing procedure, Remedy Frameworks, and General Accreditation Standards).
  4. Update the process in line with international best practices on non-state based grievance mechanisms.
Process Lead

Mario G. Aguilera, m.aguilera@fsc.org

Technical Working Group

Te Ngaehe Wanikau, Strategic Advisor & Director at Te Kotahitanga o Ngāti Tūwharetoa Trust

Archana Kotecha, CEO & Founder at The Remedy Project Ltd.

Isak Lodin, Forestry Expert at WWF Sweden

Gabriel Bolton, Senior Technical Advisor - Forestry at Preferred by Nature

Get Involved

Please register here to be informed about this process and the key updates.

Timeline

October 2024
First Technical Working Group meetings

The first round of Technical Working Group meetings took place on 14 - 18 October 2024 in Bonn, Germany. 

May 2024
Call for applicants for Working Group

FSC is seeking candidates for a working group to revise its complaints and appeals procedures. The call for applicants is open until 12 July 2024.

Please find below the relevant documents:

March 2024
Conceptual phase consultation report

Finalization of the consultation report.

Click here to read it: Consultation report

08 - 09 November 2023
Conceptual phase public consultation: Informational webinars

FSC is organizing the following informational webinars to help stakeholders better understand the objectives of the revision and answer questions on the topics covered in the consultation.

Wednesday 8 November 2023 at 9 am (CET) 

Thursday 9 November 2023 at 4 pm (CET)

Watch the recording of the presentation that was made at the webinars. 

02 October - 30 November 2023
Public consultation

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) announces the launch of a public consultation for the ongoing revision process of FSC’s complaints (FSC-PRO-01-008) and appeals (FSC-PRO-01-005) procedures and invites interested stakeholders to provide feedback and recommendations on a specific set of topics associated with the revision process.

Details of the public consultation:

  • Opening date: 02 October 2023 (10:00:00 CEST)
  • Closing date: 30 November 2023 (23:59:59 CEST)

To participate in the consultation, click here.

Read the news announcement here.

For more information about the revision process, read this visualized summary here

Read the summary of consultation material.

March 2020
Review Report Consultation

Approval of simultaneous revision of FSC-PRO-01-005 and FSC-PRO-01-008 by the FSC International Board of Directors at the 83rd Board Meeting.

Review report FSC-PRO-01-005 V3 EN Processing appeals.pdf
PDF, Size: 590.93KB
Review report FSC-PRO-01-008 V2 EN Processing complaints in the FSC certification scheme.pdf
PDF, Size: 600.40KB
Synopsis consultation - Revision complaints and appeals
PDF, Size: 1.13MB
Resumen de la consulta
PDF, Size: 1.12MB
Synthese de la consultation
PDF, Size: 1.16MB