We explain the changes to our standard setting requirements

4 May 2017 PEFC system news

Do you want to give your feedback as we revise our standard setting process? But feel like you need more information on how our standard is changing? Then make sure you register for our upcoming webinars!

Taking place this Thursday 11 and Friday 12 May, these webinars will introduce and explain the main changes to PEFC ST 1001 – the standard governing our standard setting requirements. There will also be an open question and answer session – make sure you register now so you don’t miss out.

While the webinars are over, it is not too late for you to find out more about the changes to the standard - see our standards revision website.

Two webinars on offer

We’re holding the webinar twice, at two different times, to ensure everybody around the world can take part:

• Thursday 11 May, from 3:00 - 4:00 PM (CEST)
• Friday 12 May, from 9:00 – 10:00 AM (CEST)

Participation is limited to 100 participants per webinar, so be quick to reserve your place. However, if you can’t join, we will publish a recording on our standards revision website for later playback.

PEFC ST 1001 – Standard Setting

This standard contains the rules that national standardizing bodies have to follow when they develop and revise their sustainable forest management standards. Core principles of the standard development are stakeholder engagement, balance representation of different interests, consensus building, continuous improvement and transparency.

How is it changing?

Alongside improvements in document structure and clarity, and several critical improvements to the standard setting process itself, by far the biggest change is the further detailing of the periodic review.

Standards need to be reviewed five years after their approval. While this is not a new requirement, the standard now specifies the exact steps of such a review: recording feedback on the standard during its application, performing a gap analysis at the start of the review, and organizing stakeholder consultation.

Also new is the option of reaffirming an existing standard. When the review shows that the standard meets all current (stakeholder) needs, a revision would not be required and the standard can be reaffirmed.