FSC is planning to phase out the use of minor non-certified components.
This is part of FSC’s efforts to ensure that the FSC system will offer sufficient assurance for legality on par with the requirements of the EU Timber Regulation.
In December 2011, FSC announced that minor components shall be completely eliminated from FSC system by the end of 2012. They have now released a draft advice note clarifying some important dates:
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1 January 2013 is the suggested cut-off date where FSC certificate holders may no longer manufacture FSC products including minor components and may no longer source minor components for FSC products, unless the components comply at minimum with the FSC Controlled Wood requirements.
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2 March 2013 is the suggested cut-off date where any remaining stock of FSC certified products including minor components can no longer be sold with an FSC claim.
These dates have been set in order to align the FSC system with the entry into force of the EU Timber Regulation on 3 March 2013.
FSC has opened a consultation asking all certificate holders for their feedback on this important advice note. If you wish to take this opportunity to provide feedback to FSC, you are encouraged to fill in this survey. The consultation ends on 22 June 2012.