Contribute to the Standards

International Requirements Development Process

Once FSC has taken the decision to create or revise a normative document, we announce our intention to start the process in our newsroom and in the FSC newsletter. The announcement will be accompanied by a call for applications to a working group. You may be qualified to join such a working group, and if so, you can directly contribute to developing the standard.

As a next step, the development of the process will be displayed on the Current Processes page, which lists all opportunities to engage and be informed throughout the process, e.g. in the consultative forum associated with it. You can request to join the consultative forum for each process individually to receive regular updates and give feedback on a continuous basis.

Finally, we hold 30- or 60-day public consultations on drafts of the normative document before it is tested and eventually approved. When you create an account on the FSC Consultation Platform, you will be notified via email about new consultations. National Forest Stewardship Standards generally follow the steps above but we recommend active monitoring of national office websites for announcements, or subscribing to the national FSC newsletter.

01Identification

Identify the need for revision of an existing normative document or creation of a new one

02Approval

Approval to start development or revision process

03Stakeholder Consultation

Consult stakeholders on the intent to revise or create a new normative document

04Working Group

Send a call to form a working group

05Forum

Create a consultative forum to provide continuous update and feedback

06Public Consultation

Hold public consultation on draft documents

07Testing

Test new or revised documents

08Approval & Implementation

Approval of normative documents and implement normative document

01. Identification: Identify the need for revision of an existing normative document or creation of a new one

02. Approval: Approval to start development or revision process

03. Stakeholder Consultation: Consult stakeholders on the intent to revise or create a new normative document

04. Working Group: Send a call to form a working group

05. Forum: Create a consultative forum to provide continuous update and feedback

06. Public Consultation: Hold public consultation on draft documents

07. Testing: Test new or revised documents

08. Approval & Implementation: Approval of normative documents and implement normative document

FSC Risk Assessment Development Process

FSC Risk Assessments are developed by either revising an existing Controlled Wood Risk Assessment or creating a completely new one. The process for both can follow one of two routes: a "major process" or a "regular process" (also known as the centralized process). In in case of urgent revisions an “accelerated process” can be used.

In a major process, a working group with equal representation from social, environmental, and economic perspectives helps shape the assessment. FSC leads regular processes. All processes follow the process requirements in the FSC-PRO-60-006 Development and Revision of FSC Country Requirements, and the content requirements laid out in the FSC-PRO-60-006b Risk Assessment Framework.

The key steps conducted during a regular process are presented below. Note that the requirements for major and accelerated process are under revision. Once finalized, further information will be provided in this page. For more information, please access FSC Risk Assessments page.

01Registration

Registration with Performance and Standards Unit (PSU) at FSC.

02First draft

Preparation, review and improvement of the first draft.

03Stakeholder Consultation

30-day consultation and collection of stakeholder feedback.

04Final Draft

Preparation, review and improvement of final draft.

05Decision-making and publication

Approval by PSU and closed conditions.

06Annual Review

Considering stakeholder comments.

01. Registration: Registration with Performance and Standards Unit (PSU) at FSC.

02. First draft: Preparation, review and improvement of the first draft.

03. Stakeholder Consultation: 30-day consultation and collection of stakeholder feedback.

04. Final Draft: Preparation, review and improvement of final draft.

05. Decision-making and publication: Approval by PSU and closed conditions.

06. Annual Review: Considering stakeholder comments.

Get involved

In summary, there are several ways you can remain informed and contribute:

Tell us about the need for a new normative document for your country or an improvement for an existing normative document. For improvements, please complete the Change Request Form (you can find it below) and submit it to psu@fsc.org
Sign up to receive the FSC newsletter, where you can be informed of any calls to join a working group.
Monitor the current processes for normative documents under development that are relevant to you and ask to join corresponding consultative forums.
Register on the FSC Consultation Platform so you can be automatically notified when any public consultation on an FSC International normative document is opened.
Monitor relevant national office websites and newsletters for announcements.

Get involved in FSC Risk Assessment development

To get involved, find ongoing FSC Risk Assessments listed on the FSC Country Requirements Schedule page. Here, stakeholders can find dates for upcoming consultations and fill out a form to express interest in participating. By filling out the form, you agree to be contacted by a consultant (if it's the regular process) to learn how to participate.

There are several ways you can stay informed and contribute:

Monitor the current ongoing risk assessment processes that are relevant to you.
Fill out the form to express your interest in participating in a focused consultation. You will be contacted by a consultant and informed about how to take part.
Monitor relevant national office websites and newsletters for announcements.

Contact us

Change Request Form

FSC invites stakeholders to participate by contacting FSC International directly by submitting a Change Request Form to psu@fsc.org to identify issues and opportunities with normative documents.