The FSC is an international non-profit organization founded in 1993 as a voluntary and market-based mechanism for ensuring that the world's forests are managed in an environmentally responsible, socially acceptable and economically viable manner.
Under FSC certification, forestry companies are independently audited to meet the FSC's strict forest management standards. Beyond the forest, all producers along the supply chain must be chain of custody certified. At every stage of manufacturing or distribution, the fibre going into a product is tracked and identified. The FSC system not only makes certain that virgin fibre used in a product is from a sustainable source, but it ensures that claims regarding the recycled content of products are verifiable. In an unbroken chain of commitment from forest to consumer, the FSC label carries the promise that a product comes from a forest friendly source.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about FSC is that environmental groups the world over agree that when it comes to responsible forestry FSC is the only credible assurance for consumers.
FSC is the only forest certification system that prohibits the conversion of natural forests to plantations. FSC-certified forests may only convert a natural forest if it entails a very limited portion of the forest management unit, does not occur on high conservation value forest areas, and if it will enable clear, substantial, additional, secure, long term conservation benefits (Criterion 6.10). In addition, the FSC Controlled Wood standards (FSC-STD-30-010 and FSC-STD-40-005) require that any non-certified fibre that is mixed with FSC-certified fibre may not be from a forest that has been converted to plantations or non-forest use. This means 100% of every FSC labeled product ensures forests are protected from conversion to plantations and other non-forest land uses.
FSC is the only forest certification system that specifically requires the protection of rare and endangered forest values. All forests that are undergoing FSC certification must be assessed to determine if they contain any areas of high conservation value, and if these do exist they must take action to protect and enhance these values. In addition, the FSC Controlled Wood standards (FSC-STD-30-010 and FSC-STD-40-005) require that any non-certified fibre that is mixed with FSC-certified fibre may not be from a forest in which high conservation values are threatened. This means 100% of every FSC labeled product ensures rare and endangered forests are protected.
The FSC standards identify High Conservation Value Forests (HCVF) (Principle 9) as:
FSC is the only forest certification system that requires consultation with local Aboriginal Peoples with the intention of protecting their rights, on both public and private lands. FSC forest management requirements include an entire section dedicated to the rights of Aboriginal peoples (Principle 3), and are widely recognized as most extensively and specifically addressing the needs of Aboriginal Peoples. The FSC standards require that for every FSC-certified forest:
FSC is the only forest certification system to take a precautionary approach and therefore prohibit the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). GMOs are biological organisms that have been genetically altered by various means. There is significant research demonstrating the negative impact of genetically modified agricultural crops on natural ecosystems and on humans, and this concern extends to genetically modified tree species. All FSC-certified forests are audited to verify that they do not include GMOs. In addition, the FSC Controlled Wood standards (FSC-STD-30-010 and FSC-STD-40-005) requires that any non-certified fibre that is mixed with FSC-certified may not be from a forest in which genetically modified trees are planted. This means 100% every FSC labeled product is guaranteed to not come from potentially harmful genetically modified species.
FSC is the only forest certification system that requires that all of the fibre in a labeled product be audited to come from a responsibly managed forest or verified recycled sources. With FSC all virgin fibre is verified to come from a forest certified to FSC’s stringent environmental and social standards, or from a forest that has been verified by an independent, third-party auditor as ‘controlled’. With FSC all post-consumer recycled fibre is also verified as such. FSC’s requirements for ‘controlled’ fibre are the most rigorous of any certification system and ensure fibre has been verified to not come from any of the following controversial sources:
FSC is the only forest certification system that sets regional performance-based requirements (=Indicators) that a forest must meet in order to qualify for FSC certification. These regional indicators are developed through extensive consultation with local stakeholders. Not only do they allow local stakeholders to have a say in how their forests are managed, but they allow for the many variations in forest types, ownership structures, and environmental and social differences that exists between regions. These performance-based indicators also set a clear bar that a company must meet in order to be FSC-certified, versus letting the company set its own bar, as other certification systems allow.
FSC is the only forest certification system supported by credible environmental and social organizations including Greenpeace, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Canada Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS), Forest Ethics, and The Sierra Club of Canada. All of these organizations and many more, recognize FSC certification as the only legitimate, and the most rigorous, forest certification system in the world.
FSC is the only forest certification system that requires every product with a certification label to include the unique Certification Code of the certified company that labeled the product. FSC’s Chain of Custody (CoC) tracking system assures buyers that only products that meet FSC’s requirements carry an FSC label, and actually allows consumers to verify this claim and track a product through the supply chain and back to the responsibly managed forest (for virgin fibre) or reclamation site (for recycled fibre) that it originated from. Only products with 100% of fibre from an independently verified and FSC approved source are eligible to carry an FSC label.
FSC is the only forest certification system that is present on all continents, and that requires that all certified forests meet a globally consistent set of Principles and Criteria for responsible forest management. These Principles and Criteria ensure that every FSC-certified forest meets the same high standard of ecological and social management, and that every product with an FSC label has been evaluated against the same set of requirements. Taking its commitment to responsible management one step further, FSC also works with local stakeholders to develop regionally specific performance-based requirements, which allows standards to reflect the variations in forest types, ownership structures, and environmental and social circumstances of different regions.
FSC is the only forest certification system that provides an equal and balanced voice to economic, environmental and social interests in both standards development and governance processes. Unlike other forest certification systems, FSC is a membership-based organization whereby members, as part of the General Assembly, are the highest decision-making authority and are responsible for electing International and national Board members, as well as other decisions. FSC’s members are divided into three Chambers (Economic, Environmental, Social) each with an equal voting power. Canada is unique within the FSC International network in that it is the only country to have a fourth, Aboriginal Peoples Chamber, in recognition of the importance of First Nations communities to the fabric of the country and its forest landscape. This model means that not one interest group overpowers the FSC certification process; it is a balance, and a consensus, among all of these interests on what forestry practices will prove to be sustainable.
FSC is the only forest certification system to be exclusively preferred by government agencies, corporations, and others around the world. Leading organizations are not only purchasing FSC-certified products, but they are also putting in place formal procurement policies requiring that suppliers provide FSC-certified products. In Canada, all of the major banks print on FSC-certified paper, and CIBC, Scotiabank and RBC all have procurement policies requiring FSC certification. Governments are also recognizing the positive impact they can have on our forests and both the Province of Ontario and the Alberta Ministry of Environment require FSC-certified paper be used. The book and magazine publishing sector has also recognized the impact they can have on our forests through their purchasing decisions, with authors like Harry Potter`s J.K. Rowling, as well as major publishers such as Penguin, Random House, and Scholastic requiring FSC-certified papers for their publications. Not to be left behind, retailers such as RONA, Home Depot, and Indigo Books & Music have also responded to their customers’ needs by putting in place wood and paper policies that require FSC certification of products and suppliers.
To view excerpts from purchasing policies or commitments specifying FSC visit www.fsccanada.org/procurementpolicies.htm
FSC is the only forest certification system that requires all governance, standards development and forest certification processes be fully transparent and open to all stakeholders. Not only are stakeholders invited to provide input and comment on FSC standards and policies, but their input is actively solicited through the forest management certification process itself. In addition, a summary of the audit for every FSC-certified forest is posted online for stakeholders to evaluate. This additional level of transparency allows buyers of FSC-certified products to review the forest management practices of the forest from which the product originates and completes the FSC tracking and independent verification process.
Find FSC-certified Printers
Find FSC-certified Wood Products
Look up a certification code
FSC Label & Logo Use
National Boreal Standard Revision
Controlled Wood Information Matrix
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