Beyond Legality – Exploring Synergies Between FSC and FLEGT - December 3rd, 2007

The problem of illegal logging is well recognized. Governments and the private sector have joined together and developed a number of initiatives to address this. What synergies exist between FSC and the EU FLEGT Action Plan and how can they be further developed? FSC presents a discussion paper that explores these very issues and requests your feedback by January 22nd, 2008.

The Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan is the most advanced government initiative for combating illegal logging. FSC is the most advanced and respected marked-led initiative demonstrating socially and environmentally responsible forest management. While FSC certification is a proof of legality, it goes well beyond legality.

’Beyond legality – Exploring synergies between FSC and FLEGT (FSC-DIS-01-017)’ recognises that there are differences between the FSC and FLEGT approaches on the broader conceptual scale. However, at the implementation level many similarities and thus real opportunities exist for synergies, a sharing of experiences and tools.

The paper also presents other legality verification schemes that have recently emerged. It explores their potential to undermine the market for certified products and create disincentives for forest managers to move beyond legality towards full social and environmentally responsible forest management.

The discussion paper is available at: www.fsc.org/en/work_in_progress/other_docs. Please submit your comments to Pina Gervassi: p.gervassi@fsc.org

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