Change to FSC® MIX label text
In November 2020, FSC® announced a change to the MIX label text - we shared the information in our December 2020 issue of Forestry News, but here's a little more information about the roll out of the new MIX label:
Please remember that the new MIX label can’t be used before January 2022, so although you can begin to prepare for the change, the label is not available on the FSC label generator until next January, and we can’t approve any new labels until then.
To help you navigate and plan for the change, FSC have issued a document describing the timeline for this change and include some reading material on their website. They've also put together the Q&A below:
Q: What is the timeline for the change of the MIX label?
A: The new label will be launched in January 2022. From the date of the launch, certificate holders will have a transition period of 2.5 years (1st January 2022 – 30th June 2024), during which time the current and/or the new label may be used. Both labels will be available via the FSC Trademark Portal. From 1st July 2024, only the new MIX label will be available for use by certificate holders. You can read more about the new MIX label, its rationale, and relevant timelines in this factsheet.
Q: Can certification bodies (CBs) approve both the ‘current’ and the ‘new’ MIX label during the transition period?
A: Yes, CBs may approve both labels during the transition period. We'd appreciate your help with reminding certificate holders to switch to the new MIX label, as they revise their artworks between 1st January 2022 and 30th June 2024.
Q: The transition period is over and my client has products in stock that were labelled before 1st July 2024 with the ‘old’ MIX label being used. Can the stocks of labelled products be used, sold, and distributed?
A: Yes, the stocks of labelled products may be used, sold, and distributed after 1st July 2024. However, after 1st July 2024, CBs may not approve new product labelling with the ‘old’ MIX label.
Q: One of my clients would like to introduce the new MIX label before 1st January 2022. Is that possible?
A: Unfortunately, no. Between now and 1st January 2022, FSC International will work on finalising a few relevant processes:
- Publish a new version of the standard FSC-STD-50-001 that will reflect the change to the MIX label; the new version will be effective on 1st January 2022
- Translate the new MIX label in 65 languages and make it available via the Trademark Portal
- Revise guidance documents to reflect the change to the MIX label
- Revise online training courses to reflect the change to the MIX label
Q: Some of my clients only use the ‘mini’ version of the MIX label, see below. Does the change to the MIX label text affect these clients?
A: No - the ‘mini’ version of the MIX label does not contain the label text, which is the only label element that changes (from ’from responsible sources’ to ‘supporting responsible forestry’).