What is FSC? FSC certification is an international, independent, third-party certification specifically for the forest sector and wood and non-wood forest products. Responsible forest management means protecting the natural environment, bringing real benefits to people, local communities, workers and ensuring economic efficiency.FSC promotes environmentally sound, socially beneficial and economically sustainable forest management worldwide. Types of … Continued
FSC certification is an international, independent, third-party certification specifically for the forest sector and wood and non-wood forest products.
Responsible forest management means protecting the natural environment, bringing real benefits to people, local communities, workers and ensuring economic efficiency.
FSC promotes environmentally sound, socially beneficial and economically sustainable forest management worldwide.
There are two types of FSC certification
1- Forest Management Certification (for forest owners and managers):
Ensures that a forest or forest plantation is managed in accordance with strict environmental, social and economic standards. These standards are based on the 10 Principles & Criteria (P&C) of responsible forest management.
FSC Forest Stewardship certification can be:
2- Chain of Custody Certification – COC (for companies processing and/or trading forest products)
It guarantees the traceability of materials from FSC-certified forests and is indispensable to be able to apply FSC labels on products and sell them as certified. Thanks to this certification, an organisation can guarantee the market about the origin of the timber or paper used for its products and thus demonstrate its active contribution to responsible forest management in a correct, transparent and controlled manner.
After having identified the type of FSC certification of interest, it is possible to view the reference standards in order to identify requirements and obligations.The standards can be implemented independently or, alternatively, with the help of an FSC Consultant to support the company in the preparation phase. An FSC-accredited certification body must also be identified to which the application for certification is to be submitted. This body will conduct an audit at the forest or organisation to verify compliance with the standards. The successful outcome of this audit determines the possibility of obtaining FSC certification. Throughout the duration of the certificate (5 years), the certification body carries out annual surveillance audits to ensure that the company’s compliance with the standards is maintained over time.
Being an accredited consultant makes it possible to support companies in all phases of preparation for obtaining FSC certification, through appropriate identification and implementation of the requirements and obligations of the reference standards.