Show all / Hide all

Do the FSC Principles and Criteria only apply to forests?

The FSC Principles and Criteria apply to natural forests, plantations and also includes some non-forest vegetation types.

As a rule of thumb the FSC Principles and Criteria generally apply to the growing of trees which can also extend to forest and 'non-forest' land-uses as they contribute to the mission of FSC.

We have developed a number of advice notes on the applicability of the FSC Principles and Criteria from bamboo to windbreakers. You can find all available advice notes in the document center.

Which safeguards exist against timber from unacceptable sources entering my supply chain?

FSC has developed tools that help FSC certified companies to avoid wood produced from sources that are considered to be socially and environmentally damaging. It specifically helps manufacturers and traders to avoid wood that has been:

1. Illegally harvested
2. Harvested in violation of traditional and civil rights
3. Harvested in forests that have been identified to be of particular biological and/or cultural value
4. Harvested from conversion of natural forest (or other natural habitat)
5. Harvested from genetically modified trees

What is forest management certification?

As a forest manager or owner, certification is a way of ensuring that your careful and long-term forest management is recognized. Certification is voluntary. FSC accredited certification bodies certify and audit each individual forest management operation.

FSC is the only global forest management certification system that requires regular yearly controls of each forest management operation certified to its standards.

If the forest management is in full compliance with FSC requirements, the FSC certificate is awarded. If minor non-compliances are noted, the certificate can be issued with conditions that have to be met within a clearly determined time frame. To trade the forest products with the FSC logo and claim, the forest manager or owner must also obtain FSC Chain of Custody certification.

If the forest management is not fully compliant with FSC requirements, preconditions are noted which have to be fulfilled before the FSC certificate can be awarded.

FSC accredited certification bodies audit each FSC certificate at least once a year. If during these audits the certification body finds that a company has non-compliances with FSC requirements, Corrective Action Requests (CARs) are issued and the company is required to make the prescribed changes within a given time frame or else it will loose its FSC certificate. Depending on the seriousness of the infringement, the time line can vary from one year for minor administrative infringements to three months or less for major infringements.

The timber can then carry the FSC label, guaranteeing that it comes from a well-managed forest and enabling you to pass on the benefits of certification to your customers.

How do I get forest management certified?

FSC accredited, independent, 'third-party' certification bodies or 'certifiers' certify forests. They assess forest management using the FSC principles, criteria, and national standards. This allows FSC to remain outside of the assessment process, and supports the integrity of the standard and of the FSC certification system.

If you are interested in obtaining an FSC certification, please contact an FSC accredited certifier. They will be able to provide you with information regarding how the assessment process works, costs, and a timeline for certification completion.

 

How much does forest management certification cost?

The costs, timescale and resources required for FSC forest management certification can vary considerably, as it depends on the size and complexity of the woodland and its setting.

FSC has developed different models for small or low intensity managed forests and small forests that may wish to become certified by joining a group certification of similar forest owners.