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The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) acknowledges the World Forest ID (WFID) report, which revealed troubling evidence of incorrect harvest location claims in some FSC-certified products in the UK. Source: Timberbiz FSC confronts these findings with unwavering commitment to accountability. There is no room for compromise in our mission to promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests. The report identifies issues with birch products from countries bordering Russia and Belarus, areas under heightened scrutiny due to sanctions. The anonymized nature of the study limits our ability to pinpoint specific actors, but FSC is not standing idle, it is taking decisive action to safeguard the integrity of its certification system. Since withdrawing certification from Russia and Belarus in 2023, FSC has prioritized eliminating risks of illegal timber from Russia entering our supply chains. The comprehensive measures include: Eurasia Integrity Workplan (2024): A rigorous ongoing investigation of over 800 certificate holders across the Eurasian region, encompassing: Transaction verification investigations to detect false claims and other fraudulent behaviour in birch wood panel supply chains, which have yielded some preliminary results. Isotope-based wood sample testing, to verify timber origins. Targeted investigations into certificate holders suspected of misconduct. Auditor training to enhance scrutiny in vulnerable supply chains. Supply chain integrity measures in association with Assurance Services International (ASI): Ongoing transaction verification of birch plywood supply chains, launched in 2023, has yielded preliminary findings. Field investigation in Kazakhstan (2024), which resulted in two companies exiting FSC and one being blocked from seeking recertification. Unyielding Commitment to Integrity Findings of the report are a call to action, and FSC is answering with urgency. While the study’s anonymized data restricts immediate investigations, it invites stakeholders to provide actionable evidence. FSC stands ready to investigate and enforce consequences swiftly, in line with its stringent protocols. When FSC finds compelling evidence against companies who intentionally try to deceive the certification system, FSC will revoke its FSC certificate and block them from re-entering the FSC system. Since 2020, FSC has blocked 77 certified companies for deliberately making false claims on their products or for acting with malicious intent. The certification represents a commitment to sustainable and responsible management of the world’s forests and forest product supply chains. FSC is defending that promise through innovation, transparency, and accountability. Any breach of trust will be met with swift, decisive action.

The American Wood Council (AWC) has released a new, first-of-its kind online tool designed to help users better understand where their wood products are coming from and the safeguards in place throughout the supply chain to ensure sustainability measures. Source: Timberbiz The tool will provide greater insight into the sourcing of wood products used in low-and zero-carbon construction. The pilot project of the website was funded by the Softwood Lumber Board and the US Endowment for Forestry & Communities funding. The new Wood Sourcing Tool tells the sustainability story through the incorporation of data based on a wood product’s mill grade stamp or region, information critical to tracking a specific product’s journey from the forest to the end user. This new tool also features a set of frequently asked questions about sustainable forestry and regional facts about wood sourcing, information that can give users broader understanding about the wood products being used in buildings across the country. “As questions around the sustainability of fibre supply continues to grow alongside interest in mass timber in commercial construction, this online Wood Sourcing Tool promises to provide regional, robust data that will provide assurances being sought by the architect, engineering and construction communities,” said AWC Vice President of Markets & Sustainability Rachael Jamison. The sourcing data on the site is based on the ASTM D7612-21 standard, which offers a robust and objective framework for identifying wood product sources. Fiber sourcing data is provided by AWC member companies with manufacturing facilities in the United States and is updated on an annual basis, with 2021 data the most recent available and shown on the site. When assessing the sustainability of wood products, there are three categories that are applied: Non-Controversial – products from non-controversial, or legal, sources are from geographic areas with a low risk of illegal activity or are compliant with legal or proprietary standards. Responsible– products from responsible sources are from geographic areas in compliance with an independently certified procurement standard or from geographic areas with programs that implement best management practices. Certified – products from certified sources are independently certified to an internationally recognized forest management certification standard. Each gives different assurances of the practices that take place in the forests where the wood is grown and at the manufacturing site.  

The European Commission is providing further simplifications and reducing the administrative burden to facilitate the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). In this context, it has published new guidance documents in view of the Regulation’s entry into application at the end of this year for Member States, operators and traders. Source: Timberbiz With these clarifications and simplifications, the Commission is also replying to feedback from its international partners. With these simplifications, the Commission is delivering on its commitment to the European Parliament and the Council, while guaranteeing regulatory certainty within the boundaries of the Regulation. The updated guidance and Frequently Asked Questions will provide companies, EU Member States’ authorities and partner countries with additional simplified measures and clarifications on how to demonstrate that their products are deforestation-free. Both documents reflect the input from Member States, partner countries, businesses, and industry. This will also guarantee harmonised implementation of the law across the EU. The simplifications introduced will be further complemented by a Delegated Act, published also today for public consultation. The Act provides further clarifications and simplification on the scope of EUDR, addressing stakeholders’ request for guidance on specific categories of products. This will also avoid unnecessary administrative costs for economic operators and authorities. Finally, the Commission is currently finalising the country benchmarking system through an Implementing Act. It will be adopted no later than 30 June 2025 following discussions with Member States. Together, all these measures will lead to a currently estimated 30% reduction of administrative costs and burden for companies. This will ensure a simple, fair and cost-efficient implementation of this key piece of legislation. The EUDR has already led to positive developments and action on the ground to fight deforestation, climate change and biodiversity loss. Key simplification measures With today’s new guidance documents, the Commission has introduced a number of simplification measures, for example: Large companies can reuse existing due diligence statements when goods, previously on the EU market, are reimported. This means that less information needs to be submitted in the IT system; An authorised representative can now submit a due diligence statement on behalf of members of company groups; Companies will be allowed to submit due diligence statements annually instead of for every shipment or batch placed on the EU market; Clarification of ‘ascertaining’ that due diligence has been carried out, so that large companies downstream benefit from simplified obligations (a minimal legal obligation of collecting reference numbers of Due Diligence Statement (DDS) from their suppliers and using those references for their own DDS submissions now applies). All the updated measures are expected to significantly reduce the number of due diligence statements that companies need to file, replying to key industry demands. The goal of these simplifications for due diligence statements is to ensure easy and efficient data entry for all users. The Commission has strengthened dialogue with third countries, businesses, civil society and global partners to facilitate implementation and support preparation through dedicated meetings and online trainings since 2024 in line with our Strategic Framework for Cooperation and Engagement. The Commission will continue responding to feedback from stakeholders, EU Member States and partner countries to assist traders and operators with implementation on the ground and provide further guidance, as necessary. In 2024, the Commission already held over 300 dedicated meetings on the EUDR with stakeholders, including global partners, to facilitate implementation. To support preparation, the Commission has already offered over 50 webinars with 15,500 places for online trainings on the use of the Information System open to all interested stakeholders, supported by online videos in multiple languages and a training system for familiarisation. The Commission also scaled up support to global partners under its Team Europe Initiative on Deforestation-free Value chains (EUR 86 million) to support partner countries transitioning to sustainable, deforestation-free, and legal value chains.

Hear first-hand from Tasmanian farmers about their experiences growing and managing trees for timber, carbon and other on-farm benefits at this year’s AgFest in Carrick, Tasmania. Source: Timberbiz AgFest is a fantastic opportunity for farmers and landowners to engage directly with experts and learn more about sustainable timber growing practices. You have the chance to have face-to-face chats about the benefits and techniques of growing timber on a farm. At the AgFest Table Talk on Thursday, 1 May you will get to hear from two experienced Tasmanian farmers who have successfully integrated agroforestry and silvicultural systems into their enterprises enhancing both sustainability and profitability. One-time Australian Tree Farmer of the Year John Lord and The Back Run owner Sarah Clark will share their insights on growing and managing trees for timber, carbon, and other on-farm benefits. Explore the world of forestry with Private Forests Tasmania and TasFarmers at site 704, 706 and 708 on Seventh Avenue on 1-3 May. AgFest are multi-award-winning agricultural field days organised by volunteer members of Rural Youth Tasmania. These young, passionate and innovative members spend countless hours planning, working, managing and promoting the event to ensure everyone enjoys the AgFest experience. AgFest 2025 is on 1-3 May in the Paddock, Carrick from 8:00am-4:00pm each day. For more information visit: https://agfest.com.au/