Revised Forest Stewardship Standard for Portugal

The standard becomes effective on 1 September 2025.

Forests: a vital resource in Portugal

Forests are the predominant land use in Portugal, covering around 3.3 million hectares, more than a third of the country. This important natural resource plays a significant role in the national economy as well as in society. With 91% of the forest privately owned, much of it by smallholders and 6% by local communities, it is essential that the FSC Forest Stewardship Standard for Portugal reflects the national context while fostering resilient and biodiverse forest spaces.

The revised FSC Forest Stewardship Standard (FSS) for Portugal addresses the multifunctionality of Portuguese forests and is applicable to all types of products (timber and non-timber) and all types of forest, and includes game management. Specific requirements for small and low-intensity management areas make the standard more relevant to those who manage these types of forests, enabling them to join the certification system.

Revision process

The revision process for the Portuguese FSS began in July 2021, focused on incorporating new indicators related to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the FSC Pesticides Policy, while clarifying and simplifying the language. The revision also includes requirements to mitigate climate change and updates the Framework for High Conservation Values. Furthermore, the new revision reinforces the importance of Portuguese forest biodiversity and its societal value.

Normative work in Portugal occurs within the framework of Technical Commission 145 for sustainable forest management, comprising various stakeholders that include regulatory bodies, public entities, environmental NGOs, technical experts, consultants, research centres, universities, industry associations, certification bodies, and certificate holders. These stakeholders actively participated in meetings, contributing their technical expertise and reflecting the national context in revising the standard.

The revision of the FSC forest stewardship standard involved the participation of 44 different organizations, ensuring the final document incorporates a comprehensive view of various stakeholders. This participatory form of revision makes the system more robust and ensures a high level of involvement from the start.

Noted Sofia Ferreira, responsible for the standard development activities.

Ferreira added: 

Non-timber forest products, such as cork and pine resin, are fundamental for Portuguese forest managers to promote multifunctional and responsible forest management, ensuring fair access for smallholders and local communities. The revised standard aims to boost certification of these products and landowners.

Did you know?

• Forestry in Portugal accounts for around 13% of industrial gross added value (GAV) and directly employs more than 100,000 people.
• The average property area is less than 1 hectare, with more than 400,000 owners and 6.5 million holdings.
• 24% of Portugal’s forest area is certified by FSC, with around 20% conservation areas and 4% classified as High Conservation Value (HCV). Half of these areas lack legal protection, making FSC certification crucial for their conservation.

For more information about FSC certification in Portugal, please visit our dashboard. For inquiries regarding the standard, contact: Sofia Ferreira, Standard Developer via s.ferreira@pt.fsc.org.

The FSS for Portugal (English version) can be consulted in the FSC Document Centre. A translated (into Portuguese) version will be available on FSC Portugal website in due course. Visit FSC Portugal's newsroom for more related news.