The EU Deforestation-free products (EUDR) Regulation is a new EU landmark law aiming at creating a legal and deforestation-free market both in Europe and globally. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), a global organization standing at the forefront of sustainable forest management, is actively fighting illegal logging, deforestation, and forest degradation. The EUDR's goals and FSC's mission are mutually reinforcing.
The EU Commission set the EUDR multi-stakeholder platform in 2020 to gather feedback and advice from stakeholders. As a leader in the sustainable forestry space, FSC has been part of the platform since its inception. As a system that balances environmental, economic, and social interests, FSC's primary objective is centered around constructive and meaningful engagement with a wide stakeholder spectrum; all in pursuit of making the EUDR a thriving reality on the ground.
Throughout the years, FSC has worked with the EU institutions and proffered insights and recommendations to improve the EUDR, even before it was tabled. Some of FSC’s noteworthy engagements in the platform are its participation in the WWF EU's Together4Forests campaign, as well as FSC's contribution to the Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA)'s position on "smart mix". The latter aims at advocating for a smart mix of measures, including a complementary set of mandatory and voluntary tools, to ensure the EUDR’s successful implementation.
At the core of FSC's contribution to the EUDR platform lies the continuous refinement and alignment of its rigorous forestry sustainability standards with the legal and sustainability requirements of the EUDR. FSC is currently devising a voluntary EUDR module facilitating companies' compliance with the EUDR due diligence obligations.
FSC is committed to supporting the EUDR implementation and enforcement through various means: I) empowering smallholders, ii) fortifying indigenous peoples’ rights, iii) training EUDR competent authorities on the proper use of FSC within the EUDR, excluding the "green lane" option, iv) helping to establish and maintain forest partnerships with partner countries.
Furthermore, the forthcoming integration into the EU Commission’s EUDR Traceability Working Group within the EUDR platform signifies FSC's commitment to harnessing next-generation blockchain technology for robust product traceability. FSC aims to leverage cutting-edge technology whilst providing insights into the reality of forestry practices on the ground to support EUDR compliance.
Transparency is a cornerstone of FSC's engagements, as demonstrated through its commitment to the highest integrity standards and participation in the EU Transparency register. With over 10 years of experience in the EUTR - the Regulation that laid the foundation for the EUDR – along with a focus on due diligence, FSC strives to remain a significant tool for EUDR implementation. It continues to highlight the global nature of challenges like deforestation and degradation, emphasizing the active role required from all actors in addressing these issues.
In essence, FSC's engagement in the EUDR multi-stakeholder platform is consistent and unwavering. It reflects a commitment to harmonizing legislative goals with sustainable practices on the ground, aiming for mutual reinforcement of the EUDR objectives and FSC's mission.
Should you wish to partner with FSC on specific aspects of the EUDR implementation, please contact us at: EUDR@FSC.org.
(Re-post from FSC International's Newsfeed)