For more visit: FSC On-Product Labels - Promotional Logo Use

Graphical Requirements: FSC On-Product Labels

•  Who can use FSC On-Product Labels?
•  Where do I get FSC On-Product Labels?
•  What is the difference between the FSC Labels?
•  Orientation, Size & Exclusion Zone
•  Colour
•  Border
•  Languages - Bilingual & French Labels
•  Documents - Factsheets, Trademark Standards, Guidance

Click here to view the Graphical Requirements for FSC Label Use Fact Sheet NEW-Click here to view the Graphical Requirements for NEW FSC Label Use Fact Sheet

NEW- FSC Trademark Requirements

A new Trademark Standard is effective for all certificate holders as of March 1, 2010. Existing certificate holders have until January 1, 2011 to comply.

In 2009, the FSC International Board of Directors approved a 'FSC Trademark Requirements for Certificate Holders' (FSC-STD-50-001), which covers requirements for on-product labeling, promotional use of the trademarks and graphical requirements.

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Who can use the FSC On-Product Label? (back to top)

The FSC on-product label identifies forest products that meet FSC’s environmental and social standards. 

Only companies that are FSC Chain of Custody certified are allowed to place the FSC label on a certified product.

Graphic Designers can use low res images for placement purposes. The final document must have a high res label applied by a FSC Certified Company.

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Where to get FSC On-Product Labels? (back to top)

Upon certification, companies will receive a user name and password to the FSC Labeling webpage (www.info.fsc.org ) that contains high-resolution label graphics in standard colors and formats. Contact your FSC Certification Body for login information.

Approvals

All uses of the FSC label must be approved by your certifier before going to print or applying to your product. 

Click here for a list of FSC-certified papers and corresponding labels.

Click here to view 'How to Select FSC Labels' Fact Sheet

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What is the difference between the FSC Labels? (back to top)

There are three types of FSC Labels that can be found on FSC-certified products. These labels identify the type of wood fibre in the product and who produced that product.

As of March 1, 2010 FSC has launched a new Trademark Standard with new FSC label designs. See below for current and new labels. (Click on a label to learn more and see examples.)

FSC LABELS		Current Standard (FSC-STD-40-201)		New Standard (FSC-STD-50-002)
		FSC PURE		FSC 100%
This label identifies products manufactured with 100% FSC-certified virgin fibre;
		FSC MIXED SOURCES		FSC MIX
This label identifies products manufactured with a combination of FSC-certified virgin fibre mixed with controlled virgin fibre and/or recycled fibre. If the product contains pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled fibre, the FSC Label may appear with a mobius loop (=recycled symbol)
		FSC RECYCLED		FSC RECYCLED
This label identifies products manufactured with 100% recycled material, at least 85% of which is post-consumer recycled, and the remainder must be pre-consumer recycled. The % placed within the mobius loop is the % of both pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled fibre.

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Minimum Label (back to top)

The minimum label is intended for use when there are space limitations (e.g. the product is too small to support the full label)  

Current Standard (FSC-STD-40-201)

New Standard (FSC-STD-50-002)

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Orientation, Size, Exclusion Zone (back to top)

The FSC product label can be in a landscape or portrait orientation; with the FSC check tree logo on the left-hand side of the label (landscape), or at the top of the label (portrait).

The label must have an exclusion zone or area of clear space (shown in grey) around the logo, equivalent to the height of the letters ‘FSC’

Size exceptions may be granted for smaller products upon approval from you certifier. 

Current Standard (FSC-STD-40-201)

FSC FULL LABEL	FSC MINIMUM LABEL

New Standard (FSC-STD-50-002)

FSC FULL LABEL	FSC MINIMUM LABEL

 

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Colour (back to top)

FSC Labels are provided in black, white and green.

"FSC Green" is:  Pantone: 626; CMYK: 100% Cyan, 60% Magenta, 100% Yellow, 20% Black; RGB: 50 Red, 80 Green, and 60 Blue.

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Border (back to top)

Current Trademark Standard:While the FSC product labels provided on the FSC labeling website have a border delineating their boundaries, this is not necessary. You can remove the border if you wish. 

New Trademark Standard:

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Languages - Bilingual & French Labels (back to top)

FSC Labels are available in over 17 languages. FSC-certified companies can download French & Bilingual labels from the FSC Labeling webpage www.info.fsc.org. 

* Examples of new FSC French & Bilingual labels coming soon.

FSC BILINGUAL LABELS	FSC FRENCH LABELS

 

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Documents -Factsheets, Trademark Standards, Guidelines (back to top)

Trademark Standards

Document Name	Date Issued	PDF
FSC-STD-50-001 FSC Trademark Requirements for Certificate Holders	2010	Download
FSC-STD-40-201 FSC on-product labeling requirements (for new labels)	2004	Download
FSC-TMK-50-201 FSC Requirements for the Promotional use of the FSC trademarks by FSC certificate holders and non-certified commercial organizations	2007	Download
FSC-POL-40-006 FSC Trademark Policy, Printing and Publishing	2001	Download
FSC-POL-40-001 Percentage-based claims policy	2000	Download

 

Guidance and Discussion Notes

Document Name	Date Issued	PDF
MCU-ADV-80-002 Trademark use by investment companies	2003	Download
FSC-ADV-40-012 Printers - CoC and Labeling Specifics	2006	Download
FSC-DIS-40-001 Recycling labeling options discussion paper	2003	Download

Fact Sheets

Document Name	Date Issued	PDF
NEW-Graphical Requirements for new FSC Labels	2010	Download
FSC Labeling: How to Choose FSC Labels	2009	Download
Graphical Requirements for FSC Label Use	2008	Download
FSC Trademark: Certified Companies	2008	Download
FSC Trademark: Non-Certified Companies	2008	Download

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