Forest certification standards set principles and criteria that are universally applicable and not negotiable. The standard documents consist of core 'Principles', under which a number of compliance Criteria are listed. Each national initiative adopts or adapts the Principles and Criteria (or Benchmarks) that are set out in the International Standards. National standards may provide verifiers, detailing possible measures to deliver the Principles, Criteria, and Indicators or provide guidance to clarify the requirements of Indicators where necessary. These verifiers or guidance are however not considered 'normative elements' of the standards.
The following hierarchy describes the function of each level in the certification standards:
- Principle - What is wanted
- Criterion - What needs to happen
- Indicator - What can be measured
Compliance with certification is at the level of the Management Unit (MU), regardless of the size of the MU. Some requirements indicate that they are 'proportionate to the scale, intensity and risk' and for some indicators specific alternative requirements are specified for Small or Low Intensity Managed Forests (SLIMF).
The Forest Management Manual (FMM) consists of documents and templates that were developed as part of the group certification project to assist owners in complying with certification principles.
Disclaimer: All templates and documents developed for this project were designed for use with the Irish certification standards valid at the time of the project. Since the completion of the project both National Standards have undergone revision. (See the Forest Certification section of this website) The templates featured in this Forest Management Manual (FMM) may therefore require updating to ensure compliance with changes that came into effect after this project was completed. No liability will be accepted by DAFM or the project partners for the supply or use of these templates and documents. Forest owners are advised to get independent advice in relation to forest management and forest certification.
A review and revision of templates and documents featured on this website is was undertaken with funding support from DAFM under the Woodland Support Projects 2021/2022 and under the Forestry Promotions Projects 2023/2024. Any new or revised documentation will be uploaded as soon as this becomes available and will contain a revision date in the document-footer. The above disclaimer includes any new or revised templates or documents developed under the Woodland Support Projects 2021/2022 and under the Forestry Promotions Projects 2023/2024.
Note: For ease of reference, the most recent individual templates are listed below under the general Principles employed in forest certification. The below layout and numbering of the templates may have changed since the original Pilot Project to follow the layout and numbering of Principles in the most recent forest certification standard.
Table of Contents Forest Management Manual
Glossary of Terms
1: Compliance with Laws
Tem.1.2 Legal Ownership/Third Party Rights
Tem.1.2 Legal Ownership/Third Party Rights
Tem.1.4a Illegal/Unauthorised Activity Policy
Tem.1.4a Illegal/Unauthorised Activity Policy
Tem.1.4b Record of Illegal/Unauthorised Activity
Tem.1.4b Record of Illegal/Unauthorised Activity
Tem.1.8 Third Party Rights Granted Notification Letter
Tem.1.8 Third Party Rights Granted Notification Letter
Tem.1.8a Third Party Rights Granted Notification Letter (hunting)
Tem.1.8a Third Party Rights Granted Notification Letter (hunting)
2: Workers Rights and Employment Conditions
Tem.2.1 Statement of compliance with employment and business legislation
Tem.2.1 Statement of compliance with employment and business legislation
Tem.2.3a Emergency/Contingency Planning
Tem.2.3a Emergency/Contingency Planning
Tem.2.3b Lone Working Emergency Plan
Tem.2.3b Lone Working Emergency Plan
Tem.2.3c Accident and Incident Reporting Record
Tem.2.3c Accident and Incident Reporting Record
Tem.2.5a Training (Competency) and Insurance Record (Forestry Worker | Shooting & Game)
Tem.2.5a Training (Competency) and Insurance Record
Tem.2.5b Operational Monitoring Checklist
Tem.2.5b Operational Monitoring Checklist
3: Indigenous Peoples' Rights [Not Applicable in Ireland]
4: Community Relations
Tem.4.1 Stakeholder List
Tem.4.1 Stakeholder List
Tem.5.3 Tree Sales Agreement (ITGA) - latest edition
Tem.5.5 Annual FMU Budget
Tem.5.5 Annual FMU Budget
6: Environmental Values and Impacts
Tem.6.1 Environmental Impact Assessment
Tem.6.1 Environmental Impact Assessment
7: Management Plan
The Forest Management Plan consists of two parts: the Forest Management Plan (Tem.7.1a) and the Forest Inventory and Work Plan (Tem.7.1b). Both parts must be completed.
Tem.7.1a Forest Management Plan (FMP)
Tem.7.1a Forest Management Plan (FMP)
Tem.7.1b Forest Inventory and Work Plan
Tem.7.1b Forest Inventory and Work Plan
Tem.7.1c Forest Management Plan (FMP) - Notes
Tem.7.1d Forest Management Plan (FMP) - Summary Plan
Tem.7.1d Forest Management Plan (FMP) - Summary Plan
8: Monitoring and Assessment
Tem.8.1 Annual Monitoring Report
Tem.8.1 Annual Monitoring Report
Tem.8.2 Forestry Operations Contract
Tem.8.2 Forestry Operations Contract
See also Part 4: Monitoring Plan Summary of the Forest Management Plan (Tem.7.1.a )
9: High Conservation Values
See Forest Management Plan (Tem.7.1.a ) and FMP Notes (Tem.7.1c ) containing a decision tree for identifying High Conservation Value Forests.
10: Implementation of Management Activities
Tem.10.7a Integrated Pest Management Strategy
Tem.10.7b Pesticide Use Record
Tem.10.7b Pesticide Use Record
Tem.10.10 Work Planning Checklist
Tem.10.10 Work Planning Checklist
Tem.10.11 Harvesting Site Commencement Checklist
Tem.10.11 Harvesting Site Commencement Checklist
Tem.10.12 Waste Disposal Policy
All Management Activities should adhere to Principles 1-9 above. See Forest Management Plan (Tem.7.1.a )
For more information on forest certification standards, see www.fsc.org , www.pefc.org and www.pefc.ie