FSC certification of natural forests
Download FSC certification in Natural Forests / FAQs (pdf)
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. FSC was established in 1993 to address these very concerns.
FSC does not encourage exploration of natural forests, but rather promotes the equitable incorporation of social and environmental considerations when decisions are taken to manage forests. The FSC Principles and Criteria (P&C) require that forests are managed according to the highest social and environmental criteria including key issues such as consideration of indigenous peoples’ rights, worker’s rights, compliance with international laws and maintenance of high conservation value areas.
It is particularly important that the FSC standards are met when decisions are taken by societies, industries or communities to further explore natural forests for economic purposes. Natural forests, in comparison to semi-natural forests or plantations, are often distinct in social and environmental relevance. FSC standards provide that these attributes are considered in forest management, and ultimately become valued in the market for forest products.
To withdraw from applying the FSC standards to logging in natural forests, would not end further exploration of natural forests, but only sacrifice a tool to promote equitable consideration of social and environmental issues in forestry, where it matters most. 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.
Please read the FAQ’s below and should you have any further questions you should contact your national FSC representative.
Frequently asked questions
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How does FSC help forest managers compete with pressures from other land uses?
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By providing a market differentiation mechanism, FSC enables responsible forest managers to capture more value from their forests. This allows them to compete with pressures from other land uses – such as cattle ranching, soya and palm oil plantations – and the artificially low prices caused by predatory and illegal logging.
A key factor behind the threats that natural forests face is the perception by society at large that they lack economic value. The extraordinary social and ecological value of forests in comparison to other land uses is often not considered. Forests are often converted to other land uses which lack many of the social and environmental values of forests but promise higher economic returns.
FSC uses certification to engage the market in certified products to drive recognition of forests at large and in improving social and environmental standards in forest management practices worldwide. FSC standards ensure that these forests maintain the values and benefits they provide to society.
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Why is it important that FSC standards are applied in natural forests?
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The increasing need for forest products continues to put pressure on the world’s forests and inevitably results in parts of natural forests being used for production purposes. FSC standards ensure the equitable incorporation of social and environmental considerations when this happens.
Under FSC certification, civil and indigenous rights are respected, areas of high social and environmental conservation value are maintained or enhanced, forests are not converted, highly hazardous pesticides and genetically modified trees are prohibited, and harvesting must meet national laws and international treaties.
When a forest manager demonstrates that they have met the FSC standards, they will be rewarded with economic benefits – such as continued market access - that can offer financially competitive alternatives to poor practice, illegal logging and conversion to other land-uses.
FSC standards are recognized as the highest social and environmental standards for forest management worldwide. This is because FSC rules and procedures have been developed through strong multi-stakeholder processes, and are supported and endorsed by social, environmental and economic constituents in the Global South and Global North alike.
FSC is recognized as the most credible system in forest management certification and is widely regarded as one of the most important initiatives of the last decade to promote better forest management worldwide. However, it is only part of the solution for the conservation of natural forests. In addition to FSC certification, a full set ofcomplementary conservation strategies is necessary to protect and maintain the world’s forests.
Find out more about FSC requirements here
FSC impacts in the tropics (English/German)
FSC fact sheet: Independent reports on FSC (English/Spanish)
Who is supporting FSC and why? Visit whyFSC
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What proportion of FSC certified forests is natural?
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More than 60 million hectares of natural forest are FSC certified. This represents 57 percent of the total global area certified to the FSC Principles and Criteria. These certificates primarily lie in Canada, Russia and the US. A further 35 million hectares of mixed forests are FSC certified – a mix of semi-natural and mixed plantation and natural forests. Figures from March 2009.
For more information on FSC in figures, read our latest Global FSC certificates: types and distribution publication online.
