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Smallholders in India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam can now certify Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and ecosystem services from natural forests under the expanded scope of the FSC Asia-Pacific Regional Forest Stewardship Standard (AP RFSS), effective from 15 August 2025.

Discover how the standard evolved from a Pilot Test to a Forest Stewardship Standard here: FSC News Centre.

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Scope Extension: Natural Forests Now Included

Building on the success of the pilot test, FSC has also approved a partial revision (Version 1-1) of the nationally adapted AP RFSS, extending the standard scope to include natural forests under 20 hectares. Smallholders can now certify NTFPs and ecosystem services from natural forest areas below 20 hectares by applying nationally-adapted AP RFSS. However, rough wood from natural forests remains excluded from the scope.

 

What’s New for Smallholders?

The revised AP RFSS maintains its accessible language and simplified structure, tailored to the smallholders’ realities. With the new scope extension, smallholders can certify NTFPs and ecosystem services both from plantations and natural forests below 20 hectares of management unit. According to the FSC Product Classification, eligible products include:

  • Edible products: fruits, nuts, seeds, honey
  • Plant-based materials: latex rubber, resins, oils
  • Craft and construction materials: bamboo, rattan

The scope of the forest plantations continues to cover timber harvesting from management units below 20 hectares. This expansion enhances smallholders’ access to FSC certification across a broader range of forest products, strengthening their contribution to sustainable forest management.

 

Resources and Support

Nationally adapted versions of the AP RFSS are available for download:

 

For inquiries, please reach out to: