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Role of National FSC Working Groups in solving conflicts The main role of National Initiatives (NIs) is the development of National FSC-Standards and delivery of general information on FSC-certification. NIs are not directly involved in the evaluation of forests. This concept guarantees a high level of independence of entities that define standards and those who evaluate standards. The CB is required to inform a National Initiative of its intention to carry out an evaluation in the territory of that NI. The NI may provide various resources to facilitate an evaluation, for example, help in informing the CB about any local issues that are considered significant. NIs may express their own opinions regarding the FMU, but the certification decision is entirely the responsibility of the CB. In complaint procedures CBs are obliged to consult with the NI. If there is an NI in place it may be asked to operate as a facilitator at the dispute level, if all parties agree.25 New roles for the NIs Presently FSC International is developing ways to strengthen the role of NIs. If any complaint is addressed to ASI, ASI requests the NI to act as facilitator and explains the procedures described in this paper. NIs can also play a formal role in undertaking formal stakeholder-consultation in formal surveillances of CBs. CBs have to agree to this role. Regardless of whether an NI is undertaking this consultation or not, the NI may provide ASI, CBs and FMUs with interested stakeholders in FMU-certification and in CBs evaluation or even support the affected parties in this context. Worldwide there are many examples in place, where NIs support conflicts in FSC-certificates in a constructive way so that these conflicts do not lead to formal complaints or disputes. Further policies and procedures regarding a more formal role of NIs are still under development. |
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