FSC International has postponed the introduction of licensing charges to certificate holders in “recognition of the pressures placed on companies by the recession”, according to The Timber Trade Federation’s (TTF) latest newsletter.
The new licensing system, planned to replace the FSC’s annual accreditation fee, is being put on hold for certificate holders “for the time being”.
The decision follows a meeting between the TTF’s Forests Forever division and FSC UK director Charles Thwaites, where concern was raised about high FSC fee increases at a time of economic hardship. Mr Thwaites subsequently communicated the concerns to FSC International.
The Federation said members would be relieved that the existing FSC method for collecting fees would remain for the time being.
But FSC International said a strong Case remained for implementing the licensing system for non-certificate holders who use FSC’s trademarks to pay a charge for trading on “the FSC brand”.
For more on this story see the next issue of TTJ.
