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There are so many labels. Why should I buy FSC?

Trying to do the right thing and buying responsibly produced products can be confusing. The FSC label makes it easy to make the right choice when buying timber and paper products as well as other forest products. Here is why choosing FSC makes a difference:

Only FSC

• prohibits conversion of natural forests or other habitat around the world
• prohibits the use of highly hazardous pesticides around the world
• prohibits the cultivation of genetically modified trees (GMOs)
• respects the right of indigenous peoples around the world
• controls each certified operation at least once a year – and if they are found not to comply, the certificate is withdrawn

Learn more about FSC’s core document for forest management

Many of the points will appear almost basic, but in many places around the world, even these basic requirements are not fulfilled. This is where FSC can have the biggest positive impact.

This is why FSC is the only forest certification system that is supported by all major environmental groups. And a number of certification assessments, such as the US, Australian and American Green Building Council only accept FSC as proof of sustainability.

What others say about FSC

FSC fact sheet “Independent research and other voices confirm FSC as leading forest certification system” (English/Spanish)

WhyFSC, www.whyfsc.com 

Statements from leading NGOs: WWF International, Greenpeace International

Category: FSC Labels, Top 10 Questions about FSC

What is the Forest Stewardship Council?

FSC is an independent, non-governmental, not for profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests. FSC is a certification system that provides internationally recognized standard-setting, trademark assurance and accreditation services to companies, organizations, and communities interested in responsible forestry.

The FSC label provides a credible link between responsible production and consumption of forest products, enabling consumers and businesses to make purchasing decisions that benefit people and the environment as well as providing ongoing business value.

FSC is represented in more than 50 countries around the world.

FSC is an international association of members consisting of a diverse group of representatives from environmental and social groups, the timber trade and the forestry profession, indigenous people's organizations, responsible corporations, community forestry groups and forest product certification organizations from around the world. FSC has a unique governance structure that is built upon the principles of participation, democracy and equity.

More information on FSC governance

Category: Top 10 Questions about FSC

What is the problem and what solutions does FSC offer?

Forests provide us with clean water, fresh air and they even help combat global warming. They also provide food, medicine and important natural resources, such as timber and paper. If managed responsibly, forests and plantations benefit people – both people dependent on forests and the global community at large.

However, in some countries as much as 80% of the timber is harvested illegally, often involving the violation of human rights and destruction of protected forests. A key factor behind the threats faced by natural forests is the perception by many societies that they lack economic value. The extraordinary social and environmental value of forests in comparison to other land uses is often not considered. In other words, forests are often converted to other land uses which lack many of the social and environmental values of forest but promise higher economic returns.

FSC certification offers forest managers rewards for managing their forests the FSC way – following the highest social and environmental criteria there are. In some instances rewards can be in the form of price premiums. But increasingly, FSC certification is rewarded with improved access to environmentally sensitive markets. Also, more and more governments and leading businesses specify FSC certified materials in their purchasing programs.

Learn more about the FSC market

Category: FSC Rules, Top 10 Questions about FSC

How does FSC certification make a difference in the world’s forests?

When a forest manager decides to become FSC certified, they must conform to all applicable FSC rules before earning FSC certification and the right to use the FSC label. Because managing forests the FSC way means following the highest social and environmental criteria, it often requires managers to adapt their management and operations. This is how FSC has a direct and permanent positive impact on the world’s forests and the people living from, in and around the forest.

FSC's impact in the forest - a literature review of independent research (pdf)

Category: FSC Rules, Top 10 Questions about FSC

Why should I become FSC certified?

Being FSC certified shows that you comply with the highest social and environmental standards on the market. As public concern about the state of the world’s forests and timber resources increases, FSC provides you with a simple solution to complex environmental and social issues.

The FSC label is an effective way to get public and consumer recognition of your responsible practices. This gives you credibility with customers and business partners as well as financial institutions and watchdog organizations.

FSC certification helps to protect your brand and reputation and it allows you to access highly environmentally sensitive markets. Increasingly, governments and other organizations specify FSC certified products in their purchasing policies. And because FSC has the only globally valid standard, it is also the only standard that is no barrier to trade under the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Learn more about FSC certification

What others say about FSC
FSC fact sheet “Independent research and other voices confirm FSC as leading forest certification system” (English/Spanish)

WhyFSC, www.whyfsc.com 

Statements from leading NGOs: WWF International, Greenpeace International 

Category: FSC Rules, Top 10 Questions about FSC

Related entries:

• Who makes the FSC rules?

Who makes the FSC rules?

FSC’s core document for forest management certification, the overarching Principles and Criteria, was adopted by the FSC membership and can only be changed or amended by a vote of the FSC membership. Anybody who supports the idea of improving forest management around the world can become an FSC member.

The FSC membership is the highest-decision making body in the organization and every three years members gather from around the world to participate at the General Assembly. It is in this dynamic environment where valuable concerns and criticisms are brought into a forum where different interest groups work together in an equitable way to find solutions that define the future of the organization.

At FSC IC, a group of experts facilitate the development, review and continuous improvement of FSC rules and procedures. The Principles and Criteria form the basis for all FSC forest management policies and standards. And again, it is the members who ultimately define what rules need to be further developed or reviewed and through their representatives on the FSC Board of Directors have final say in what rules are adopted. All policies and standards go through at least two rounds of public consultations. In these consultations everybody interested in the fate of the world’s forests can comment.

The FSC Board of Directors unanimously adopts FSC rules and procedures. The FSC Board of Directors is appointed by vote of the FSC members.

FSC is nationally representated in more than 50 countries around the world. Many of these are FSC National Standard Working Groups that support the development of national, sub-national and regional forest stewardship standards – again, involving all members and interested public. National FSC standards are adaptations of the international FSC rules to more specifically address the national situation.

How FSC standard setting works

More about FSC governance

Get involved, become and FSC member

Category: FSC Rules, Top 10 Questions about FSC

What changes do FSC rules require foresters to make?

The FSC Principles and Criteria describe how the forests have to be managed to meet the social, economic, ecological, cultural and spiritual needs of present and future generations. They include managerial aspects as well as environmental and social requirements. FSC rules are the strictest and FSC’s social and environmental requirements the highest.

The 10 principles and 56 associated criteria form the basis for all FSC forest management standards. Based on this core document, FSC has developed further rules (called policies or standards) that define and explain certain requirements stipulated in the 10 Principles and Criteria.

Here is a summary of some of the points the FSC Principles and Criteria require. Many of the points listed below will appear almost basic – but in many places, even these basic requirements are not fulfilled. This is where FSC can have the biggest positive impact.

• Prohibit conversion of forests or any other natural habitat
• Respect of international workers rights
• Prohibition of use of hazardous chemicals
• Respect of Human Rights with particular attention to indigenous peoples
• No corruption – follow all applicable laws
• Identification and appropriate management of areas that need special protection (e.g. cultural or sacred sites, habitat of endangered animals or plants)

More info about the FSC Principles and Criteria

Category: FSC Rules, Top 10 Questions about FSC

Who can become an FSC Member?

Anybody who supports the idea of improving forest management around the world can become an FSC member. FSC members are divided into Social, Environmental and Economic chambers. Each of these chambers is divided in North (industrialized countries) and South (developing countries). Each chamber carries the same vote. This guarantees that no one interest can dominate.

More about FSC governance

Learn about the benefits of becoming an FSC member as well as how to apply for membership

Category: Top 10 Questions about FSC

Why was FSC created?

FSC certification is widely regarded as one of the most important initiatives of the last decade to promote responsible forest management worldwide. Why is this and what prior efforts have been made?

Concerns and large-scale public debates about the state of world’s forests escalated globally in the 1980’s and led to a gridlock between different stakeholders fighting about environmental, social and economic interests. Initiatives from governments and international organizations did not manage to reduce forest destruction worldwide and the need to substantially improve forest management practices persisted.

In the late 1980’s, tropical timber boycotts proclaiming to save the last tropical forests, not only failed, but worse, caused opposite effects in many cases. Conversion of forests to more economical land uses continued and in some cases accelerated.

The clear need for an effective mechanism to improve forest management and conservation worldwide was further emphasized in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. The World Summit in Rio de Janeiro agreed that progress towards sustainable development is the shared responsibility of social, environmental and economic interests although no legally binding commitments were agreed.

Disillusioned by the continuous failure of international negotiations progressive forest industries, social groups and environmental organizations came together to develop an alternative solution. Rather than boycotting poor practices, they wanted to use market forces to promote socially beneficial, environmentally appropriate and economically viable forest management.

For the first time, leading social, environmental and economic players from the Global South and Global North joined in an international process with equal and equitable voices, decision-making powers and responsibilities and founded FSC. To this day, FSC provides a platform for these different interest groups to work together in a dynamic environment where each interest group has a voice and an equal say.

Since its inception countless stakeholders around the world have worked with the FSC in its equitable participatory processes in support of responsible forest management. However, also since its early days, FSC was often criticized by conservative industries which did not believe in sharing decision-making with social and environmental stakeholders. Much like conservative industries, some environmental stakeholders believe that confrontational campaigns are a more appropriate conservation tool than equitable participatory solutions-oriented approaches. FSC will continue to try to engage conservative industries as well as confrontational NGOs in its approach.

FSC believes that it is part of the solution for the conservation of natural forests and that a full set of different complementary conservation strategies are necessary to protect and maintain the world’s forests.

A short history of FSC 

Category: History, Top 10 Questions about FSC

How is FSC funded?

In 2007, 34% of FSC (international) funds came from the support of charitable foundations, government donors and business contributions. The other 66% was generated from fees (membership, accreditation and others) and services rendered. For further details, read our latest financial review in the Annual Report 2007 (page 28).

FSC National offices are financially independent of FSC (FSC AC, FSC IC, FSC Global Development and Accreditation Services International).

Donate and support FSC

Category: Top 10 Questions about FSC