FSC 2025: Members Invited to Prioritize Motions

The FSC General Assembly 2025 will take place from October 26 to 31 in Panama City (Panama), in a hybrid format.

It will bring together members from all three chambers to shape the future of the FSC system.

At present, members are invited to prioritize the submitted motions—a crucial step in preparing the agenda for the GA.

ATIBT, alongside several partners, is actively engaged in this process. Below is an overview of the motions we are sponsoring, supporting, or closely following, particularly in relation to our work on responsible forest management in the Congo Basin.

Motion 44 – Toward a More Contextual Approach to IFLs

ATIBT is sponsoring Motion 44, building on its involvement in Motion 24 (FSC GA 2022).
This motion calls for FSC to adapt its approach to Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs) by adopting a more dynamic, context-sensitive perspective.
It does not challenge the current definition, but encourages:

consideration of ecological functionality, connectivity, and the potential role of moderate disturbances (natural or human);
recognition of Intact Cultural Landscapes (ICLs);
and the implementation of robust monitoring to evaluate the effectiveness of applied approaches.

Objective: Align conservation efforts with sustainable management and socio-ecological realities in tropical forest landscapes.

Related Motions on IFLs: 45 and 48

In addition to Motion 44, we are closely following two complementary proposals:

Motion 45: advocates for a more effective IFL conservation model, shifting from fixed thresholds to an impact-based adaptive design and rigorous ecological monitoring.
Motion 48: proposes the development of a landscape-level certification framework to integrate IFL protection into a broader, regionally adapted ecosystem management approach, aligned with FSC’s global strategy.

Motion 26 – Strengthening FSC Audit Quality

ATIBT is also sponsoring Motion 26, which aims to improve the competence of auditors and the overall quality of FSC audits, especially in forest management.
The motion proposes:

clearer qualification requirements for auditors;
the development of specialized training within the FSC network;
and a strengthened role for ASI, particularly in high-risk regions.

Objective: Ensure audit credibility and uphold the integrity of the FSC system on the ground.

Motion 34 – FSC as a Tool for Regulatory Compliance

With Motion 34, ATIBT proposes that FSC step up efforts to be formally recognized as a credible compliance tool under major international regulations (EUDR, CITES, FLEGT, Lacey Act).
The motion calls for:

improvements to the TRACE system;
development of mutual recognition frameworks;
and better access to certification for small producers.

Objective: Position FSC as a trusted operational solution for navigating evolving legal frameworks.

Motions Seconded by ATIBT: 27 and 35

Motion 27: calls for regulation of subcontracted auditing services, ensuring independence, consistency, and alignment with FSC requirements.
Motion 35: proposes increased transparency on the share of FSC-certified products in certified companies’ revenue, through improvements to FSC Search.

Motions Supported by the African Network: 15 and 40

Motion 15: proposes the establishment of regional FSC committees, tasked with member recruitment and engagement. This would strengthen local representation, particularly in Africa.
Motion 40: calls for the harmonized issuance of joint FM certificates between concession holders and subcontractors. This is especially relevant in shared operational contexts common across the African forestry sector.

Other Motions: Key Trends to Watch

In total, 48 motions have been submitted for prioritization. Together, they reflect a collective push to modernize, reinforce, and adapt FSC to global challenges.

Key themes include:

Governance: creation of a 4th Indigenous Peoples Chamber, inter-chamber collaboration, and structural reform.
Integrity and compliance: combating fraud, strengthening complaints mechanisms, improving volume traceability, and protecting the FSC label.
Ecosystems and climate: restoration certification, ecosystem services, biodiversity, circularity.
Equity and inclusion: better recognition of Indigenous Peoples in voluntary isolation, network expansion in the Global South, and smallholder access.
Normative frameworks: system simplification, ISO alignment, regional harmonization.
Organizational effectiveness: HR strategy, transparency of independent entities, and review of operational systems.