Revision of the National Risk Assessment (NRA) and National Forest Stewardship Standard (NFSS) for South Africa

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has scheduled the targeted revision of the National Risk Assessment (NRA) and National Forest Stewardship Standard (NFSS) for South Africa for 2022/23.

As per the FSC processes (FSC-PRO-60-006 and FSC-PRO-60-002), we will establish a chamber balanced working group to support both processes. These processes will be chaired and coordinated by FSC Southern Africa.

The targeted revision will aim to address issues raised in the current version of the NFSS for South Africa, inclusion of Natural Forests and NTFPs, and the inclusion of the expected highly hazardous pesticides indicators. The NRA will focus on a maximum of 2 indicators in Category 1 (Illegally harvested wood).

Experts will be appointed so that each chamber (social, environmental or economic background) is equally represented and consulted. Expertise in the following fields is sought:

1. Natural Forests

2. Plantation Forests

3. Representative of smallholders and/or communities

4. Representative of workers interests

5. Restoration practices

6. Conservation practices in forest, grassland or fynbos biomes

7. Ecology 

8. Pesticide Management

It is anticipated that 10 days will be required of working group members for discussions, consultations with chamber stakeholders and review of content. This will be discussed and amended, if necessary, with the working group after its establishment.

Please note – time served by experts will be on a pro-bono basis with only actual costs reimbursed.

If you have any queries or are interested in supporting these processes, please send an email to Ms Manushka Moodley via m.moodley@fsc.org by 28 February 2022.

Visuals courtesy of Forestry South Africa.