FSC advances measures to protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation

FSC International is taking concrete steps to strengthen protections for Indigneous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation (IPVIs) and ensure their right to remain uncontacted is fully respected.

At its 102^nd Board Meeting, held in June in Poland, the FSC International Board of Directors approved the development and implementation of an Advice Note, which will take into consideration the recommendations made by the Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee to the Board. This Advice Note will provide clear guidance to forest management (FM) certificate holders whose concessions overlap with areas inhabited by IPVIs. It addresses identified gaps in FSC’s Principles and Criteria (P&C) and International Generic Indicators (IGIs), serving as an immediate, interim measure to ensure stronger protections are in place without delay.

The Advice Note is one part of a broader strategy to strengthen how FSC protects the rights of IPVIs in FSC-certified forests. FSC and Assurance Services International (ASI) will also develop an implementation plan, including measures such as training for certification bodies to enhance the verification of IPVI-related requirements, and further actions to incorporate updated provisions into the P&C and IGIs over time.

With the intention of finding a solution to the case of the Mashco Piro people in Peru, FSC has pursued a strategy to better understand how FSC FM certificate holders conduct their logging activities in forest management units that overlap with territories inhabited by IPVIs. This initiative included a visit to Peru in November 2024, seeking technical advice on business' responsibilities to respect the rights of IPVIs, and an ASI investigation into the FSC certification and the rights of IPVIs in Peru. It culminated in a comprehensive report recommending several actions for FSC to implement, which now guide the development of the Advice Note for FM certificate holders in territories inhabited by IPVIs.

The provisions of the Advice Note will also draw on norms and best practice guidance provided by UN treaty bodies, InterAmerican Court and Commission on Human Rights, the International Labour Organization, as well as the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights.

In addition to the Advice Note, FSC is considering a broader implementation plan that includes training for certification bodies to enhance auditing of the Advice Note provisions.

Protecting, respecting and upholding the rights of all Indigenous Peoples lies at the heart of FSC’s mission. The right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) is guaranteed to Indigenous Peoples and local communities living in and around FSC-certified forests. FSC remains committed to strengthening its system to uphold these rights consistently and effectively, in close collaboration with rights holders, stakeholders, and members.

The full strategy report reference above — detailing FSC’s findings and next steps — is now available and can be downloaded.