The FSC Product Classification is one addendum of the FSC Chain of Custody Standard FSC-STD-40-004 and has been used by Certification Bodies (CB) and Certificate Holders (CH) for the classification of FSC product groups since 2007.

The current classification presents some deficiencies related to:
- Finding and classifying the entire range of forest products in the market;
- Searching for products because product descriptions are not market friendly;
- List updates.

Therefore, FSC decided to create a new classification (not based on external classification systems currently available) that combines technical and marketing characteristics to ensure the correct and unified classification of certified product groups as well more immediate market linkages between producers and buyers.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION

The public consultation is an important step towards ensuring that the new classification reflects the realities of the FSC certified products market.

The objective of the consultation is to build a new classification that meets the following criteria:

-    Simple.
-    Easily expandable.
-    Reduced hierarchy.
-    As short as possible, but ensuring the adequate coverage of all FSC certified products in the market.
-    Preference for product type names that are widely recognized in the market for trading and product searches.
-    Suitable to qualify FSC product groups.

HOW TO SUBMIT COMMENTS

The consultation is open until 31 March 2011. CBs and CHs are welcome to submit comments using the comment form. Due to the large number of certificates, FSC kindly requests CHs to submit comments through their respective CBs.

CONTACT

For more information on the consultation, please write to the Policy and Standards Unit.