The purpose of the indicators is to make FSC certification more consistent across different countries. The new FSC standard and IGI’s use very different language, have some substantive changes in emphasis and are a lot more prescriptive regarding process.
South Africa has embarked on the process of adapting the SA National FSC Standard to the new Principles and Criteria. The process is being led and coordinated by the National Standards Development Group (SDG-SA).
During the transfer, FSC requires that each of the International Generic Indicators (IGI) is compared to the existing national indicators and the best option chosen. If an IGI is modified or not used, justification has to be provided.
The transfer process is an opportunity to develop a South African FSC Standard that is more responsive to the South African plantation forestry context and allows fair access to certification by growers at all scales.
The basis of the transfer process adopted by the SDG is an assessment of impacts of plantation forestry on the environmental asset base. By analysing the factors that drive these impacts and considering their relative importance to plantation forestry in South Africa, we can select indicators that fit our context.
This approach will also ensure that indicators reflect risk, so that low impact and small-scale operations are fairly assessed. This will be a big step towards ensuring that FSC certification is more accessible to smallholders. The risk-based approach adopted by the SDG is consistent with shifts in the FSC’s global strategy and emphasis.
The SDG is committed to the principle of knowledge co-development and to active engagement of FSC stakeholders. SDG-SA comprises six members, two each from the economic, social and environmental chambers. There has already been extensive and focused consultation with specialists and interest groups to compile a draft set of indicators. In mid-December we wil embark on six months of broader consultation. While this may seem like a long period, this is a crucial part of the process and we strongly encourage you to review and comment on drafts of the transferred National Standard. The phasing and time frames for feedback on the draft Standard are shown in the timeline here.