Document Code: FSC-STD-USA-02-2026
Topic: Country Requirements (RA + FSS)
Document Type: Forest Stewardship Standard (FSS)
Posted on: January 8, 2026
FSC is pleased to announce the publication of the second version (V2-0) of the FSC Forest Stewardship Standard for the Conterminous United States of America (FSC-STD-USA-02-2026 EN) based on FSC Principles and Criteria V5-3. The effective date of the standard is 1 April 2026.
The transition period of the standards will be 18 (eighteen) months from the effective date, ending on 30 September 2027.
Certification Bodies (CBs) operating in the United States of America are required to inform all their clients about the English (official) version of the FSC standard immediately after the effective date. Existing certificate holders will need to be audited against the new standard as applicable, within 18 months of the effective date, to retain their certification status. When using this FSC standard, CBs shall address major and minor nonconformities as usual.
The applicable version of FSC standard FSC-STD-20-001 determines the conditions for closing non-conformities.
For more information, visit FSC News Centre: click here for English, y para Español aquí
For queries about the assessment and approval process of FSS, please contact the FSC Country Requirements Programme via: country_requirements@fsc.org.