This draft standard, developed by the Technical Committee on Sustainable Forestry under the auspices of the Icelandic Standards Board, was published on the Board's website on June 25th. It leverages scientific principles, international benchmarks, and best practices in sustainable forestry, tailored to Icelandic contexts and legal frameworks. The standard aims to establish a unified framework for forestry planning and execution, aligning with governmental sustainability objectives, international accords, and stakeholder interests.

This standard outlines the fundamental criteria for sustainable forestry practices within Iceland, serving as a foundational framework for administrative, policy-related, and professional assessments of forestry initiatives. This includes the registration of forestry projects within the Skógarkolefni Forest Carbon framework and the development of certification processes for carbon units.

The primary goal of this standard is to facilitate the sustainable utilisation of forests, the safeguarding of ecosystems, the preservation of soil integrity, and the regeneration of forest resources, all while considering economic, social, and environmental factors. The standard encompasses all forest types, both natural and cultivated, and addresses the entire lifecycle of forests, including:

• planning and management,

• implementation and operations,

• maintenance and preservation,

• impact assessment of forestry activities,

• reforestation and restoration of disturbed areas,

• the interaction between forestry practices and communities, as well as other stakeholders.

This standard offers comprehensive guidance, accommodating diverse scenarios, ecosystems, and economic factors. It is designed to inform policy development, implementation, and the evaluation of forestry activity sustainability. While not encompassing specific certification schemes or regulations, the standard is intended for utilisation by organisations, governmental bodies, and other stakeholders to foster responsible forestry practices.

The standard will undergo periodic review, incorporating advancements in forestry-related legislation, policy, and scientific understanding.

The document is available for purchase through the Icelandic Standards Council's website at a cost of 11,378 ISK. The deadline for submitting feedback on the draft standard is August 28th at 13:00, and comments are welcomed via the specified online form.

Make a comment

Following the comment period, the standards committee responsible for the draft standard undertakes a comprehensive review of all received comments and suggestions. The committee then evaluates the potential impact of these inputs and determines the appropriate modifications to the standard. Upon incorporating the feedback and implementing necessary revisions, a final review of the standard is conducted by the committee. Ultimately, the committee must approve the definitive version of the standard before it is submitted for formal confirmation by the Icelandic Standards Council.