Policy for Association
The Policy for Association (PfA) is FSC’s core tool that defines which destructive activities make an individual, organization, or their corporate group ineligible to participate in the FSC system. It sets out six unacceptable activities that associated entities commit to avoid in both certified and non‑certified operations.
Why the Policy for Association Matters
The Policy for Association functions as FSC’s risk management mechanism, protecting the credibility of the FSC system by verifying that FSC’s mission and core values are upheld across entire corporate groups—not only within certified operations. It also establishes the overarching framework for determining who FSC can associate with and how potential risks and violations are addressed.
FSC's List of Unacceptable Activities
Illegal harvesting or illegal trade in forest products
Conversion of natural forest cover
Destruction of High Conservation Values
Violation of workers’ rights and principles
Violation of customary or human rights
Use of GMOs in forestry for purposes other than research
* The descriptions are simplified for readability. For the complete and authoritative definitions please refer to the Policy for Association.
Which Version Applies?
FSC applies the version of the Policy for Association that was in effect when the unacceptable activity occurred.
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Before 2023
PfA Version 2 0
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2023 → Present
PfA Version 3‑0
How the Policy for Association Works
The Policy for Association applies to all individuals and organizations associated with FSC, as well as their entire corporate groups. Organizations seeking association with FSC must undergo a disclosure-based screening process and maintain due diligence‑ systems to prevent unacceptable activities within their operations and corporate groups.
Violations of the policy can lead to:
- maintaining association with timebound conditions highlighting corrective conditions that address the damage caused by unacceptable activity‑, or
- full disassociation from FSC.
Disassociated organizations may become eligible to regain association after completing an independently developed remedy plan under the FSC Remedy Framework.
What Association and Disassociation from FSC Means
Disassociation is FSC’s way of fully ending its relationship with a company because the company has been involved in serious unacceptable activities. When this happens, FSC cuts all ties, and the company and its corporate group are no longer allowed to use FSC’s name, labels, or be part of any FSC agreements. It also cannot become eligible to enter any new relationship with FSC until it has gone through a formal remedy process and met all requirements for re‑entry, which are defined in FSC’s Remedy Framework.
Association means a formal relationship between a company or individual and FSC. This happens when a company becomes an FSC member, holds an FSC certificate or license, or signs another official agreement with FSC. Once associated, the company is expected to follow FSC’s values and avoid the unacceptable activities listed in the Policy Association.
How FSC Addresses Possible PfA Violations
1
Allegations
FSC receives concerns from stakeholders, media reports, legal cases, or other credible sources.
2
Dialogue
FSC encourages mediation or dialogue between the two parties – complainant and the company who has allegedly violated the Policy for Association.
3
Evidence assessment
If dialogue does not resolve the issue, FSC proceeds to examine whether the information is credible and indicates a potential Policy for Association violation.
4
Investigation (if required)
When required, FSC commissions independent investigators who review the situation in-depth. Otherwise, when there is clear and convincing evidence, FSC proceeds directly to the decision, whereby a decision panel is constituted to review the available evidence.
5
Decision
For the decision-making, FSC constitutes a panel of experts to review the case. This panel takes a decision on whether FSC should (1) Maintain association, (2) Maintain association with conditions, or recommends that FSC should (3) Disassociate. In case the panel recommends disassociation, the final decision is made by the FSC Board.
Relevant Normative Documents
To support the consistent application of the Policy for Association, FSC maintains several normative documents that define how allegations, investigations, and remedial processes must be handled. These documents guide organizations, stakeholders, and FSC staff through the procedures for assessing risks, processing complaints, and determining consequences when unacceptable activities are identified.
Policy for Association (FSC‑POL‑01‑004 V2-0 and V3-0) defines the six unacceptable activities that associated organizations and their corporate groups must avoid, and outlines the rules governing association, and disassociation. The two versions define corporate groups differently: Version 2 focuses primarily on majority ownership, while Version 3 (effective 2023) applies a broader, control‑based approach that assesses real influence beyond ownership structures.
Processing PfA Complaints (FSC-PRO-01-009) - describes the formal procedure for receiving, evaluating, and investigating allegations of PfA violations, including how evidence is assessed and how decisions on consequences are made.
FAQs
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Why are these activities unacceptable for FSC?
Our mission is to protect forests for future generations. And our membership is made up of companies striving for environmentally and socially responsible practices – of environmental defenders, trade unions, human rights campaigners and those fighting for indigenous peoples.
The activities outlined in the Policy for Association are totally opposed to the mission of our organization and the members who make it. There is no place for this behaviour in FSC, whether it occurs in the forest management operations of a certificate holder or—under Policy for Association Version 3—in the activities of a chain of custody certificate holder or any entity within their corporate group.
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Who can raise concerns about destructive activities?
There are no requirements as to who can submit a complaint or raise concerns in the FSC system.
While anybody may share concerns, the information submitted must include necessary and relevant information and evidence for FSC to take the appropriate action. This required information is noted on the submission forms and processes, and defendants are encouraged to provide as much detailed information as possible so that FSC can make an informed decision as to whether the complaint will be accepted.
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Who investigates when credible allegations are raised?
Where an investigation is required and feasible, FSC assigns an investigation team comprising of one or more experts. In building an investigation team, each team member is selected and then approved by those raising concerns and the defendant organization to ensure impartiality.
While not a requirement, the investigation team will typically include experts from the country where wrongdoing is alleged. The investigation team is then not only uniquely qualified through their professional expertise but also has a greater understanding of the national context.
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Who decides whether an organization should be excluded from the FSC scheme?
The investigation team delivers their report to FSC, complete with the evidence and level to which each allegation was verified. This report is presented to the FSC Policy for Association Decision Panel who will assess the conclusions of the investigation. The Panel may decide to recommend that FSC Board of Directors make the decision on excluding organization from the FSC scheme.
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What are the consequences of exclusion from the FSC scheme?
Upon being excluded from the FSC scheme the organization’s trademark license agreements are immediately terminated, all certificates are withdrawn and they are blocked from further certification and association such as membership.
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Can excluded organizations re-enter the FSC scheme?
Excluded organizations can become eligible to re-enter the FSC scheme after completing an independently developed remedy plan under the FSC Remedy Framework.
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What happens when an FSC-certified company is acquired/bought by a corporate group which FSC disassociated from?
According to FSC’s normative framework, when FSC disassociates from a corporate group, the disassociation decisions apply to all the companies belonging to the corporate group as defined by PfA V2 or PfA V3, whichever is applicable. Disassociation means termination of all existing contractual relationships with the applicable corporate group, including any FSC certificate holder licenses. If a certificate holder is acquired by a company/entity belonging to a disassociated corporate group, FSC will evaluate the corporate structure between the certificate holder and disassociated corporate group and if the certificate holder is found to be within the applicable corporate group, the FSC certificate will be discontinued.
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How are complaints that overlap with certification requirements processed?
Complaints related to any of the PfA unacceptable activities that overlap with certification requirements follow the ordinary route for dispute resolution that is defined in respective certification requirements and in FSC-PRO-01-008 (Processing Complaints in the FSC Certification Scheme).
For more information about the general implications, timelines, considerations for certification bodies, and market implications, refer to these FAQs.
Raise a Concern
Our stakeholders play a vital role in alerting us to destructive forestry activities. If you are concerned about the activities of an organization connected to FSC, we want to hear from you.
Submit a complaint:
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