The 2015-2020 American Tree Farm System® Standards of Sustainability were approved by the American Forest Foundation Board of Trustees for implementation at the beginning of this year. The new standards completely replace the old ones and a one year transition period has begun. You can review the entire revision process and read the new standards on the Tree Farm website.  Also, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® has completed their 2015-2019 Standards and Rules revision. The full revision of the Forest Management, Fiber Sourcing, and Chain of Custody Standard will be implemented immediately. You can read more about the revised standard and the revision process on the SFI website. 

The first consultation for the Forest Stewardship Council® U.S. Controlled Wood National Risk Assessment is now open until March 13. The national risk assessment provides risk levels for the five categories of potential risk for Controlled Wood. The assessment will provide risk levels and potential control measures to meet areas of specified risk or no specified risk. Stakeholders are asked to pay particular attention to the categories of High Conservation Values areas and forest conversion. You can read more about the FSC® U.S. Controlled Wood Risk Assessment on FSC-US' website.

FSC has approved a revised standard regarding the identification of banned highly hazardous pesticides. The standard becomes effective on March 10. Specifically hexazinone (trade name Velpar) and 2, 4-D have been removed from the list. Borax, boric acid, and oxyfluorfen have been added to the list. FSC-US has advised that borax on the banned list is not the form that is commonly used in forestry applications. The Center recommends that all forest management certificate holders that use borax, hexazinone, or 2,4-D contact their certification body to determine if their usage is acceptable to maintain their certificate. You can read the official announcement of the new standard and banned chemical list at FSC-International's website.