FSC 2026 – changes to the standards and their significance for businesses

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification is undergoing a major update in 2025–2026, covering both the forest management standard and the rules for the use of FSC labels. A key element of these changes in Poland is the implementation of the FSC Transitional Standard for Responsible Forest Management (FSC-STD-POL-02-2024), which replaces the 2013 national standard.

The revision process ran from 2018 until 2 July 2024, when the new version of the standard was published. The document is transitional in nature and represents a phase of alignment with the updated FSC requirements at a global level.

FSC-STD-POL-02-2024 and the new forest management requirements

The new standard for Poland introduces more precise requirements regarding the documentation and assessment of forest management. Compared to the previous 2013 version, greater emphasis is placed on data and systematic monitoring. The key areas of change include:

• the obligation to identify and protect areas of high conservation value (HCV)
• extended requirements regarding the monitoring of impacts on ecosystems
• analysis of the impact of forest management on the climate, including CO₂ emissions and sequestration
• consideration of local risks: environmental, social and geographical
• the need to justify actions based on a risk-based approach

At the same time, the global FSC Forest Management (FM V2) standard is being implemented; its application will begin gradually from 2026, with a transition period during which different audit approaches may operate in parallel.

Changes to FSC labels and their implications for businesses (2026–2029)

In parallel with the changes to forest management standards, a new standard for FSC labels (FSC-STD-50-001 V3-0) is being introduced, which will come into force on 1 July 2026 with a transition period until 2029. The scope of the changes includes

• the introduction of FSC labels with QR codes providing access to product information
• more precise requirements regarding mandatory label elements
• standardisation of the rules for using the FSC logo across various communication channels
• the withdrawal of the ‘Forests For All Forever’ logo
• tighter rules on the approval of marketing materials prior to publication
• clarification of the rules governing the use of marks to reduce the risk of greenwashing

These changes emphasise the importance of controlling communication and ensuring the consistency of information about certified products.