FSC is inviting stakeholder comment on a new draft interpretation that will guide the application of plantation re‑establishment requirements under Australia’s National Forest Stewardship Standard (NFSS). The consultation, running from Friday 16 January to Sunday 8 February, seeks feedback on the second draft interpretation of Indicators 10.1.1 and 10.1.2 in the NFSS (FSC‑STD‑AUS‑01‑2018).
Wood Central understands that these indicators govern how plantations must be regenerated, including whether the species composition can be changed. The current process began in 2025, when an FSC‑accredited certification body requested clarification on how the indicators should apply when a native‑species plantation is harvested and proposed for re‑establishment with an exotic species.
FSC International responded by developing an initial draft interpretation, which was released for public consultation between 6 June and 18 July 2025. Following that consultation, responsibility for preparing a second draft was transferred to the Australian Standards Development Group (SDG), which is currently revising the NFSS. The SDG has now produced a revised interpretation based on stakeholder feedback and is inviting further input before finalising the document.
The new consultation comes after Wood Central last year reported that some of Australia’s largest forest managers — backed by major superfunds — could risk breaching FSC certification if they replaced native hardwood plantations, such as Blue Gum, with exotic species like Radiata pine. At the time, FSC International’s draft interpretation suggested that such species changes could fall foul of Criterion 10.1, which requires FSC‑certified organisations to regenerate harvested sites in a way that recovers the overall composition and structure of the original plantation.
Diana Hallam, CEO of the Australian Forest Products Association, said the position risked discouraging investment in long‑rotation hardwoods, noting that “owners and managers might be concerned they’re locked into keeping particular species, with difficulty to transition.” She urged FSC to maintain flexibility within its certification framework.
Speaking to Wood Central at the time, Melanie Robertson, CEO of FSC ANZ, stressed that the interpretation was only a draft and that stakeholder feedback was essential. “This interpretation is currently open for public consultation,” she said, adding that ambiguities often arise when standards are applied in the field and interpretations are issued to provide clarity. Robertson emphasised that draft interpretations frequently change substantially following consultation and encouraged stakeholders to participate to ensure the final outcome is “reasonable, practical, and auditable.”
Once the current consultation closes on 8 February, the SDG will review all submissions and determine whether further amendments are required. If no substantive changes are identified, the interpretation will be submitted to the FSC Australia and New Zealand Board for approval before being forwarded to FSC International for final endorsement and publication.
