1	Developing a National Standard for Forest Management Certification in Ireland FSC National Initiative in Ireland c/o IFA, Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin 12 · ifci@irishforestcertification.com · www.irishforestcertification.com · Irish Forestry Certification Initiative Ltd. trading as FSC Ireland · Directors: Declan Little and Patrick Neville · Company number: 332495 *Find out more about FSC National Initiatives
2	"Purpose of presentation" Purpose of presentation explain FSC, and reasons for a national standard explain how the new Draft Standard was developed present a brief overview of the content of the new Draft Standard outline the public consultation process explain how the Draft Standard will be further amended before submission to FSC International for approval
3	"About FSC Ireland" About FSC Ireland FSC Ireland (formerly known as IFCI) is the national working group promoting FSC in Ireland. FSC Ireland promotes FSC in Ireland and is working on informing Irish consumers about how their purchasing can affect responsible forest management the world over. FSC Ireland also answers questions about FSC and certification. Membership is open to all interested individuals and organizations.
4	"What is FSC" What is FSC? FSC is an international, independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests. FSC is a certification system that provides internationally recognized standard-setting, trademark assurance and accreditation services to companies, organizations, and communities interested in responsible forestry. The FSC label provides a credible link between responsible production and consumption of forest products, enabling consumers and businesses to make purchasing decisions that benefit people and the environment as well as providing ongoing business value. Find out more about FSC at www.fsc.org
5	"What is an FSC Forest..." What is an FSC Forest Management Certification Standard? An FSC Forest Management Certification Standard is used to assess a forest’s management to become FSC certified. (Where there is no national standard, as currently in Ireland, a locally adapted generic standard is used) Each national Standard is built around 10 International Principles, agreed by the members of FSC International. These set out what the Standard wants to deliver. Under each Principle there are a number of internationally-set Criteria, which describe what needs to happen for the Principles to be fulfilled.
6	"What is an FSC Forest..." What is an FSC Forest Management Certification Standard (cont.)? To comply with each of these Criteria, every national Standard sets out a number of Indicators that are measurable and provide the means of judging whether a forest management unit complies with the requirements of the relevant Criterion. Indicators (& associated thresholds) thereby define the requirements for responsible forest management at the level of the forest management unit, and are the primary basis of forest evaluation In addition, for each Indicator, the Standard includes Verifiers which are examples of where to look for evidence that the Indicators are being complied with. The Verifiers given are not mandatory but illustrate the type of specific and measurable verification needed to demonstrate that an Indicator is being fulfilled. They indicate sources of evidence.
7	"Why have a specific FSC..." Why have a specific FSC standard for Ireland? An Irish FSC Forest Management Standard would create an adaptation of the international FSC rules to more specifically address the national situation.
8	"Background" Background FSC Ireland (formerly known as IFCI) has been working on developing a National Standard over several years In the period to late 2007 this work was accompanied by significant conflict. Early in 2008, FSC Ireland renewed efforts to ensure it was an open and inclusive organisation, and to reinvigorate the process of developing a national standard. This involved: setting Ground Rules to accommodate all stakeholders in a safe working environment, and promoting membership through media contacts, a new website, and other outreach activities, and agreement of a Workplan (registered by FSC) to develop a national standard Increased requirements from FSC International and greater guidance for National Initiatives have informed the Workplan and all subsequent operation of FSC Ireland.
9	"FSC International Standards" FSC International Standards FSC International set the core aims and objectives (the Principles & Criteria) of all Standards. In addition, FSC International set standard requirements for: the development process that National Initiatives (like FSC Ireland) must use in developing the indicators for the national standard the structure, content and style of the national or regional standard being developed FSC IC also provides guidance in a range of areas to assist National Initiatives with the task of developing a standard, such as training. These requirements and guidance have been followed by FSC Ireland
10	"FSC Ireland’s Agreed Workplan" FSC Ireland’s Agreed Workplan FSC Ireland’s Workplan for the completion of the national FSC forest management standard for Ireland was Developed and agreed by the Steering Committee of FSC Ireland Accepted and registered by FSC International, and Notified publicly via the FSC Ireland and FSC websites, and through press releases, etc. Key elements in the Workplan include (see diagram overleaf) Consideration of previous drafts & comments Establishment and work of Standard Development Group Forest testing of Draft Standard Public consultation on Draft Standard Revision of the Draft Standard Submission of revised Draft Standard to FSC for approval
11	Workplan overview
12	"Carrying out the Workplan" Carrying out the Workplan The Standard Development Group (SDG) has been responsible for developing and revising the new Draft Standard on behalf of the Steering Committee of FSC Ireland. The SDG was established as a group of 12 individuals, involving equal numbers of representatives from environmental, economic and social interests. (FSC Ireland’s Steering Committee also reflects this representation of constituencies.) The SDG has considered previous drafts and feedback on these, generic indicators developed by FSC, other national standards, as well as expert advise, and feedback from FSC Ireland’s Steering Committee, in their work. The Steering Committee of FSC Ireland, which takes responsibility for the Draft Standard, reviewed the Draft Plan and agreed amendments before it was published for public consultation.
13	"New Irish Draft Standard for..." New Irish Draft Standard for Forest Management Certification Contents Introduction 10 International Principles (see next slide) and Criteria with national Indicators and Verifiers (sources of information) Guidance on the Indicators in the Draft Standard Series of required Annexes Availability of the Draft Standard: www.irishforestcertification.com request hard copy from consultation@irishforestcertification.com
14	"FSC Principles" FSC Principles (the areas addressed in the Draft Standard) #1: Compliance with laws and FSC Principles #2: Tenure and use rights and responsibilities #3: Indigenous peoples’ rights #4: Community relations and worker’s rights #5: Benefits from the forest #6: Environmental Impact #7: Management Plan #8: Monitoring and assessment #9: Maintenance of high conservation value forests #10: Plantations
15	"Public consultation on the new..." Public consultation on the new Draft Standard FSC is committed to public consultation A minimum of 60 days for public scrutiny of the new Draft is required (11^th August – 23^rd October 2009) Public consultation is open to any interested party All comments and feedback will be collated. Once the public consultation period is over, all the feedback obtained will inform the further revision of the Draft Standard. The Consultation Forum – is a no-charge mechanism by which registered interested parties can ensure that they are kept informed of further developments regarding the Draft Standard (see www.irishforestcertification.com for details & registration form)
16	"After public consultation" After public consultation The Standard Development Group will review all feedback from the public consultation & forest testing will revise the Draft Standard in light of the feedback received will return the revised Draft Standard to FSC Ireland’s Steering Committee
17	"Then" Then The Steering Committee of FSC Ireland will examine the revised Draft Standard wil make any final amendments will submit the revised Draft Standard to FSC International for approval will address any queries or further requirements from FSC International in relation to the Draft Standard (if necessary)
18	"After accreditation of the Irish..." After accreditation of the Irish Forest Management Standard The Standard once accredited is the national standard for five years After five years, the Standard is reviewed and revised as necessary by FSC Ireland, and then re-submitted to FSC International In addition to making ongoing input on the National Standard, anyone interested can support FSC in Ireland by joining the national group or by joining FSC International.