Pesticides Policy Advisory Group

In the Principles and Criteria of the Forest Stewardship Council criterion 6.6 deals with chemical use. Under criterion 6.6 the onus is on the certified forest or plantation to strive to avoid the use of chemicals or, where this is not possible to use chemicals safely.

FSC have also identified a list of specific chemicals that cannot be used unless there is shown to be no viable alternative, in which case a temporary derogation may be granted. If granted the derogation will detail specific conditions, that will apply to the use of the chemical, to mitigate negative impacts to the environment, health and safety. Derogations are considered to be temporary and during the period of the derogation the certified forest or plantation owner must actively look for options to reduce, remove or replace the derogated chemical.

An important part of the process is that stakeholders have an opportunity to comment on the derogations.

Current derogations for Australia

On 1 February 2011, the FSC (International) pesticide committee approved derogations for the following for five years:

• Alpha Cypermethrin
• Amitrole
• Fipronil
• Hexazinone
• Simazine
• Sodium Fluoroacetate
• Terbuthylazine

Reference documents:

FSC-GUI-30-001 V2-0 EN FSC Pesticides Policy Guidance (2007)