How FSC policies and standards are developed
To earn FSC certification and the right to use the FSC label, an organization must first adapt its management and operations to conform to all applicable FSC requirements. What the FSC rules prescribe are applied globally. This is how FSC makes a positive and permanent impact.
- FSC standard development process © FSC International (please click to enlarge)
At FSC IC, a team of experts facilitate the development, review and improvement of FSC rules and procedures.
FSC’s standards have been proven to work across continents, forest types, sizes and ownership. The FSC standard-setting process is transparent, democratic and inclusive with many opportunities for the interested public to participate.
It is this process that has allowed FSC to become an important and recognized forum where innovative solutions have become possible with the support of all stakeholder groups interested in forestry issues.
FSC is the only certification system in forestry recognized by ISEAL to follow best-practice in standard-setting.
Frequently asked questions
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Why does FSC certify forest management in natural forests?
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Natural forests throughout the world are threatened by global demand for forest products which will not only continue, but also accelerate. Much of the world’s remaining natural forests still suffer from illegal exploitation, poor management and conversion to other land uses, commonly resulting in severe degradation or complete destruction. It was these very concerns that led the to establishment of FSC in 1993.
FSC promotes the equitable incorporation of social and environmental considerations when decisions are taken to manage forests. Under FSC certification, civil and indigenous rights are respected, areas of high social and environmental conservation value are maintained or enhanced, natural forests are not converted, highly hazardous pesticides and genetically modified trees are prohibited, and harvesting must meet national laws and international treaties.
It is in natural forests where FSC standards can result in substantial social and environmental improvements and ultimately support the conservation and long-term maintenance of these forests.
Read FSC's statement on certification of natural forests
Category: FSC Rules, More questions about FSC -
Why does FSC certify forest management in the tropics?
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As the biodiversity hotspots of the world, tropical forests are vital to the existence of millions of indigenous people, and possess a unique set of social and environmental attributes. When decisions are taken by societies, industries or communities to further explore tropical forests, it is particularly important that FSC standards are met.
FSC promotes the equitable incorporation of social and environmental considerations when decisions are taken to manage forests. Under FSC certification, civil and indigenous rights are respected, areas of high social and environmental conservation value are maintained or enhanced, natural forests are not converted, highly hazardous pesticides and genetically modified trees are prohibited, and harvesting must meet national laws and international treaties.
It is in the tropics where FSC standards can result in substantial social and environmental improvements and ultimately support the conservation and long-term maintenance of these forests.
Read FSC's statement on certification of tropical forests
Category: FSC Rules, More questions about FSC -
How does FSC avoid certifying forests that are illegally logged?
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Principle 1 of the FSC Principles and Criteria requires forest managers to comply with all applicable laws and international treaties which must be independent verified by an FSC accredited certification bodies.
FSC also has strict requirements to control the non-certified material in FSC-Mixed Sources products. The non-certified material must comply with FSC Controlled Wood standards which ensures the material comes from forests that are not harvested illegally. This must also be independently verified before it is mixed with certified material.
These certification requirements as well as accreditation control mechanisms ensure that FSC is not unwillingly certifying illegal logging. FSC is monitoring its performance and continuously improving the system to deal with particular difficult or new issues.
Category: FSC Rules, More questions about FSC -
What is the problem and what solutions does FSC offer?
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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?
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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?
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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)Statements from leading NGOs: WWF International, Greenpeace International
Category: FSC Rules, Top 10 Questions about FSC -
Who makes the FSC rules?
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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
Get involved, become and FSC member
Category: FSC Rules, Top 10 Questions about FSC -
What changes do FSC rules require foresters to make?
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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
