Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) was formed in 1993. The council was created to change the practice of sustainable forestry on a worldwide level. The First General Assembly of the FSC was held in 1993 and its headquarters are now in Bonn, Germany. They are now the strongest international system for guiding forest management toward sustainable outcomes.

The FSC certifies wood and various made-from-wood products through a series of criteria, principals, and standards that include social, economical, and environmental concerns and have been applied to over 57 countries.

Forest certification includes an assessment made by an outside, independent certifier, using the FSC principals, criteria, and standards. These include: compliance with the laws of the country, indigenous peoples’ rights, environmental impact, community relations and workers’ rights, a management plan, and maintenance of high conservation value forests.

Many of the FSC certified forests are made into lumber and paper. The Home Depot, Lowe’s and Kinko’s are all known to use or sell FSC certified wood or products made from certified forests. Target gift cards are packaged in materials made with FSC products. The logo is visible on the back of the envelope. Forests throughout the US and the world are now being FSC certified.

Products bearing the FSC logo guarantees that the wood came from a certified, well-managed forest. The FSC trademark logo is a checkmark and tree outline the “FSC” below it. Most wood products have this logo stamped somewhere, usually in black. Click the link below to find more information and FSC products available in the United States.

www.FSCUS.org