This Derogation permits certificate holders to continue using their previous licence code for 12 months following the termination of their earlier certification, provided the certification type is changed without interruption (i.e., from single to multisite/group), subject to certain conditions.

The Advice Note applies to standard developers, organizations seeking or holding FSC Forest Management Certification, and certification bodies.

This interpretation clarifies whether pre-harvest activities fall within the scope of "Management Activities" for compliance with forestry-related legislation. Its purpose is to ensure a consistent approach for both users and developers of FSC Risk Assessments. 

FSC International is taking concrete steps to strengthen protections for Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation (IPVIs) and ensure that their right to remain uncontacted is fully respected.

The Chain of Custody & Controlled Wood team in the Policy & Performance Unit has now published a generic derogation "DER-STD-40-004_02 Delay in applicability for activities outsourced for storage, logistics, or forwarding of ‘finished and labelled’ products."

Consultation on the draft Interpretation regarding workers' rights and the application of ILO fundamental conventions in countries where these conventions have not yet been ratified.

This Advice Note aligns FSC’s methodology for the assessment of Indicator 55 (which relates to the conversion of natural forests and transformation of plantations to agricultural use) with the EU benchmarking results developed under the EUDR and released in May 2025, which designated countries as ‘high’ or ‘low’ risk.  

This Interpretation clarifies the requirements for including controlled wood in the CoC accreditation scope and explains the circumstances under which forest management auditors are needed for controlled wood audits at the forest level.