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FSC Risk Assessments
FSC Risk Assessments assess the risk of sourcing material from supply areas and establish mitigation measures to address those identified risks. Companies can find mitigation measures from the assessment based on the framework. The risk assessment is a document that contains indicators covering several key requirements for FSC such as High Conservation Values, human and labour rights, environmental protection, among others.
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FSC Risk Assessment Framework
FSC-PRO-60-006b FSC Risk Assessment Framework provides a comprehensive tool for companies to assess and mitigate risks of sourcing forest materials.
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 and valid for both Regulatory Module users and Controlled Wood users.
Learn more about how these requirements were developed in the process page here.
Understand the background and how risk assessments work in the FSC system by reading the Demystifying Risk Assessments document.
FSC Risk Assessment Development Information
FSC is publishing the development and consultations of FSC Risk Assessments on the FSC Country Requirements Schedule page. Stakeholders can also sign up to be informed on upcoming FSC Risk Assessment consultations. Links to the consultation of FSC Risk Assessments are also updated there when available for stakeholders to access and participate.
Dashboard on existing CWRA
This dashboard contains information on risk designations and control measures for the countries with existing Controlled Wood Risk Assessments (CWRA) based on the procedure FSC-PRO-60-002a FSC National Risk Assessment Framework.
The above procedure has now been replaced by FSC-PRO-60-006b FSC Risk Assessment Framework which became effective on 1 July 2024. Revisions of the existing CWRA and development of new RAs are ongoing in accordance with FSC-PRO-60-006b. All information on the ongoing processes and the processes planned for the upcoming years can be seen in the FSC Country Requirements Schedule.
Revised and new FSC Risk Assessments following this process will be published in the FSC Risk Hub and FSC Document Centre. Please note that the dashboard below will be gradually phased out as the existing CWRA will be replaced, and the phase-out for each country will occur six months after the publication date of its revised Risk Assessment.
For any queries, please contact us via country_requirements@fsc.org
Risk Assessment Templates & Guides
We offer resources, including templates, guides, and instructional videos, to help users complete their FSC Risk Assessments. All materials are currently in English, and future translations are planned.
This section includes the Risk Assessment Template, Guide, and helpful tutorial videos.
Risk Assessment Template
User Guidance Videos
FSC's Risk Assessment Template helps assess and mitigate sourcing risks from uncertified areas. To ensure access to the most up-to-date version of the template and its user guidance, please contact: country_requirements@fsc.org.
We have a dedicated YouTube playlist with step-by-step video tutorials on sing the FSC Risk Assessment Videos. The tutorials cover various features and processes.
Developing an FSC Risk Assessment
This section provides key documents and guides to help you develop an FSC Risk Assessment Framework, whether you're starting or refining your assessment.
It includes the Quick Guide to Develop an FSC Risk Assessment and a detailed How to Develop an FSC Risk Assessment document, covering best practices and instructions for each stage. Additionally, guidance is provided on participating in FSC Risk Assessment Consultations—an important component of transparency and stakeholder engagement in the development process.
Quick Guide: Develop an FSC Risk Assessment
How to Develop an FSC Risk Assessment
This section provides a step-by-step guide to developing a detailed, compliant FSC Risk Assessment covering the entire process and risk management practices. It also includes guidance on engaging in FSC Risk Assessment Consultations, which are open to all stakeholders and critical to ensuring inclusivity and transparency.
Risk Mitigation Measures (RMM) Database
The Risk Mitigation Measures (RMM) Database is a non-normative guidance resource developed to support the consistent, clear, auditable, and proportionate development and implementation of Risk Mitigation Measures under the FSC Risk Assessment Framework (FSC-PRO-60-006b).
The database Version 1.0 contains illustrative examples of RMMs from consulted and published FSC Risk Assessments. It is intended to support FSC Risk Assessment Developers when drafting or adapting mitigation measures, and Certificate Holders when implementing or adapting RMMs to their sourcing context. The examples demonstrate mitigation approaches for identified non-negligible risks and should be adapted to the relevant national or sub-national context, governance conditions, supply-chain role, source type, and available evidence. They do not create new requirements or replace applicable FSC Risk Assessments.
The first draft of the Risk Mitigation Measures database was reviewed through a focused stakeholder consultation. This report summarizes the feedback received, analyzes key comments, and explains how stakeholder input informed improvements to the database. The consultation report can be accessed below.
The RMM Database is a living resource that will be periodically updated as new examples become available from approved FSC Risk Assessments and stakeholder contributions, supporting greater harmonization and practical implementation of risk mitigation approaches under FSC-PRO-60-006b.
We welcome your feedback and examples of workable mitigation measures. Please use the feedback form in the dashboard to help us continuously improve and expand this guidance resource.
For any queries, please contact us via country_requirements@fsc.org.
FSC Risk Assessments' Process & FAQs
Find answers to common questions in our FSC Risk Assessment FAQs, covering key concepts, procedures, and terminology related to the FSC Risk Assessment Framework. You can also learn about the process for updating Indicator 55, including how risk designations and thresholds are determined.
FSC Risk Assessment FAQs
Process for updating Indicator 55
FSC has published a new Advice Note regarding the assessment of Indicator 55 of the FSC Risk Assessment Framework. The Advice Note is available in the FSC Directive for FSC Country Requirements in English, along with the French and Spanish translations.
The consultation report (available in English) on the draft Advice Note could be accessed below.