4. Environmental and Social Safeguarding

Projects must present a risk assessment that complies with the requirements of NCS section 3.7 on environmental and social impacts.

Businesses with an officially approved management plan do not require a risk assessment (including an environmental impact assessment). Certifications according to a recognised standard such as FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) or an equivalent scheme (e.g. Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (PEFC)) are considered evidence of the project's environmental and social sustainability. If none of the aforementioned conditions are met, compliance with spatial planning requirements (e.g. forest development plan in Switzerland) must be demonstrated.