To align with the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), FSC is introducing a new generation of Risk Assessments that will replace the existing FSC National Risk Assessments. Source: Timberbiz
This enhanced approach will not only support the production of FSC MIX products under the FSC Controlled Wood system, but it will also be a critical tool for evaluating risk in compliance with new legal requirements, including the EUDR.
These next-generation Risk Assessments will provide companies with an invaluable resource for efficiently assessing and mitigating risks and streamlining compliance.
The Risk Assessments can be developed through two different processes: centralised or comprehensive processes. In essence, a centralised process means that FSC International oversees the revision process, with a consultant appointed jointly by FSC International and FSC ANZ drafting the Risk Assessment.
This is how the New Zealand Centralised Risk Assessment was developed. This differs from a so-called ‘major process’ where FSC ANZ would be the process lead, and the Risk Assessment would be drafted by a chamber-balanced working group, which is how the Australian National Risk Assessment was developed.
FSC International’s accelerated process for developing approximately 90 Risk Assessments globally includes strict timelines and milestones. If a milestone is missed, the process will automatically revert to a centralised approach. Given that the established milestones were deemed unachievable by the Board, a centralised process for Risk Assessments in Australia and New Zealand was requested. Of the 20 countries currently developing their Risk Assessments, 19 have chosen a centralised approach. Therefore, the FSC ANZ Board’s decision aligns with the common practice observed internationally.
The draft Risk Assessments will go through 30 days of consultation, providing an opportunity for future users of the Risk Assessments and other stakeholders to provide feedback on the draft documents.
Request for proposals to develop the new Risk Assessments
On 30 August, FSC International published a call for proposals from consultants interested in drafting the Risk Assessments for Australia and New Zealand. All the relevant materials can be accessed here.
The consultants will review the existing (Centralised) National Risk Assessments for Australia and/or New Zealand against the FSC-PRO-60-006b Risk Assessment Framework, identify gaps and discrepancies and revise the respective assessment in conformance with the Framework.
Applications are open until 19 October 2024.
EUDR alignment until the Risk Assessment comes into effect
Until the Risk Assessments come into effect, certificate holders relying on the FSC system to comply with the EUDR will have to undertake an extended company risk assessment using either a simplified or a main risk assessment template provided by FSC International.
The simplified template is required for FSC Forest Management and Chain of Custody (FSC 100%) certificate holders seeking to demonstrate conformity with FSC-STD-01-004 FSC Regulatory Module to use their FSC Certification to support compliance with the EUDR. This template provides a largely pre-filled assessment of risk based on certification status.
The main risk assessment template is relevant for certificate holders undertaking an extended company risk assessment to conform with FSC-STD-40-005 Requirements for Sourcing Controlled Wood and FSC-STD-01-004 FSC Regulatory Module.
More information about the templates, the templates themselves, guidance and a tutorial can be accessed here.
Certificate holders who do not need to comply with the EUDR do not need to use the templates.
