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 develops Indicators and Verifiers for each Criterion, which detail the necessary measures to deliver the Principles and Criteria. Guidance is provided to clarify the requirements of Indicators where necessary.
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
The documents and templates developed as part of the group certification project aim 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. The templates featured in this Forest Management Manual may 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 currently being undertaken with funding support from DAFM under the Woodland Support Projects 2021/2022. 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 as part of the Woodland Support Projects 2021/2022.
Original Full Forest Management Manual drafted for the original DAFM Pilot Project can be downloaded Here
For ease of reference, the most recent individual templates are listed below under general Principles employed in forest certification standards:
Table of Contents Forest Management Manual
Glossary of Terms
1: Compliance with Laws and Certification Principles
Tem.1.5a Illegal/Unauthorised Activity Policy [Only applicable to large forests over 200Ha]
Tem.1.5a Illegal/Unauthorised Activity Policy [Only applicable to large forests over 200Ha]
Tem.1.5b Record of Illegal/Unauthorised Activity
Tem.1.5b Record of Illegal/Unauthorised Activity
2: Tenure and Use Rights and Responsibilities
Tem.2.1 Legal Ownership/Third Party Rights
Tem.2.1 Legal Ownership/Third Party Rights
3: Indigenous Peoples' Rights
4: Community Relations and Workers' Rights
Tem.4.1 Third Party Rights Granted Notification Letter
Tem.4.1 Third Party Rights Granted Notification Letter
Tem.4.1a Third Party Rights Granted Notification Letter (hunting)
Tem.4.1a Third Party Rights Granted Notification Letter (hunting)
Tem.4.2a Operational Monitoring Checklist
Tem.4.2a Operational Monitoring Checklist
Tem.4.2b Emergency/Contingency Planning
Tem.4.2b Emergency/Contingency Planning
Tem.4.2c Training (Competency) and Insurance Record (Forestry Worker | Shooting & Game)
Tem.4.2c Training (Competency) and Insurance Record
Tem.4.2d Accident and Incident Reporting Record
Tem.4.2d Accident and Incident Reporting Record
Tem.4.3e Lone Working Emergency Plan
Tem.4.3e Lone Working Emergency Plan
Tem.5.1 Annual FMU Budget
Tem.5.1 Annual FMU Budget
Tem.5.3 Tree Sales Agreement (ITGA)
6: Environmental Impact
Tem.6.1 Environmental Impact Assessment
Tem.6.1 Environmental Impact Assessment
Tem.6.2 Third Party Rights Held Notification Letter
Tem.6.2 Third Party Rights Held Notification Letter
Tem.6.6a Integrated Pest Management Strategy
Tem.6.6b Pesticide Use Record
Tem.6.6b Pesticide Use Record
Tem.6.7 Waste Disposal Policy
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)
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
Tem.7.3 Work Planning Checklist
Tem.7.3 Work Planning Checklist
Tem.7.3a Harvesting Site Commencement Checklist
Tem.7.3a Harvesting Site Commencement Checklist
8: Monitoring and Assessment
Tem.8.1c Forestry Operations Contract
Tem.8.1c Forestry Operations Contract Tem.8.1c Forestry Operations Contract
See also Part 4: Monitoring Plan Summary of the Forest Management Plan (Tem.7.1.a )
9: Maintenance of High Conservation Value Forests
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: Plantations
Plantations 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