After the research process, FSC and PEFC have updated the criteria and standards in the certification system to suit the practice and adapt to the requirements of EUDR.
FSC issues Module in compliance with EUDR Regulation
FSC has published the FSC Regulatory Module, FSC Risk Assessment Framework and Advice Notes to strengthen its commitment to sustainable forestry. The FSC Regulatory Module and FSC Risk Assessment Framework include FSC Aligned Certification for EUDR. The Risk Assessment Framework and other system-wide changes also apply concurrently to certificate holders not affected by EUDR.
New Voluntary Additional Module – FSC-STD-01-004 FSC supports EUDR compliance through additional information requirements on Sustainable Forest Management (FM), Chain of Custody (CoC) and Controlled Wood Certification as well as guidance on additional information for certification bodies. The module outlines rigorous due diligence systems, conducts thorough risk assessments using the FSC Risk Assessment Framework and maintains transparent supply chain documentation.
The FSC Risk Assessment Framework FSC-PRO-60-006b has now been officially released and provides a comprehensive tool for companies to assess and mitigate risks when sourcing forest-based materials. With 64 risk assessment indicators covering relevant social and environmental aspects, the FSC Risk Assessment Framework is aligned with EUDR regulatory requirements to ensure responsible sourcing.
PEFC Releases PEFC EUDR DDS Module
Following approval by the General Assembly, in late July 2024, PEFC published PEFC ST 2002-1:2024, Requirements for the Implementation of the PEFC EUDR Due Diligence System (PEFC EUDR DDS).
In this document, PEFC Chain of Custody certified organisations can refer to the steps that can be taken to use the PEFC programme to implement a Due Diligence System (DDS) to demonstrate compliance with the EUDR Standard, which applies to forest-based products and raw materials and can be implemented on a voluntary basis, at a global level, by any organisation holding or applying for a PEFC-recognised chain of custody certificate.
The standard can be used by organisations defined as operators and/or traders importing or supplying raw materials and/or products from forests and trees on the European Union (EU) market and/or exporting from the EU market.
The standard can also be used by organisations based outside the EU that do not directly place or supply raw materials and/or products from forests and trees on the EU market or export from the EU market, but whose final raw materials or products are supplied to customers who directly or indirectly carry out such activities. In parallel, PEFC will continue to revise and supplement the PEFC Sustainable Forest Management Standard (ST 1003) to ensure that PEFC certified raw materials sourced from PEFC certified forests are in compliance with the EUDR.
