Forest Program

Within the Policy and Standards Unit, the Forest Program main mission is to develop, review and maintain FSC policies and standards associated to the management of forests.

In addition to this, the Forest Program develops standards and projects in topics that have an influence on forest management, with the purpose of continuously improving the FSC Certification process and generating useful tools for forest managers.

The Forest Program can be divided into the following sub-areas:

• FSC Principles and Criteria, Forest Management policies and standards
  The Forest Program develops, reviews and maintains FSC Forest Management Policies and Standards.

• National standards
  The Forest Program guides the adaptation of FM Policies and Standards to National Conditions.
  
  
• FM Controlled Wood
  The Forest Program develops CW Standards to enable manufacturers and traders avoid unacceptable timber and timber products.
  
  
• Modular Approach Program
  The Forest Program aim with the MAP is to facilitate the achievement of FM certification by dividing the process into modules or steps.
  
  
• High Conservation Values 
  The Forest Program advises on the identification and management of HCV, values which are socially or environmentally important in a forest or area.
  
  
• Pesticides
  The development of FSC Pesticides Standards aims to manage its use and to promote alternative and ‘non-chemical’ methods of pest management.
  
  
• Legal initiatives
  The Forest Program guides forest managers to comply with applicable laws, regulations and international treaties by its inclusion in national standards.
  
  
• Public procurement
  The Forest Program advises governments and companies in their process of specifying FSC certifications in their procurement policies.