Who is it for?

FSC is a certification system for forest products. It enables the verification of whether timber products come from legal sources and have been produced through responsible forest management. FSC standards are designed for forest managers, as well as for all links in the timber supply chain (from the forest to the end use):

• sawmill owners,
• manufacturers of timber components,
• manufacturers of prefabricated timber buildings,
• manufacturers of furniture and joinery products,
• makers of wooden instruments,
• manufacturers of wooden or paper packaging,
• manufacturers of paper products,
• publishers, printers,
• entities dealing with semi-finished or finished wood products – wholesalers, distributors, transport companies, shops, etc.

Only those entities that use certified products may apply for FSC certification. In other words, every link in the supply chain must hold FSC certification as proof that good practices in the production and trade of timber products have been applied at every stage.

Information about the standard

The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) is an international non-profit organisation established in response to the growing global problem of deforestation. Since 1993, the FSC has set standards for responsible forest management and has been promoting them. The acronym FSC also refers to the globally recognised certification system for forests and timber products. Alongside PEFC, it is the world’s largest certification programme for forest management and the timber industry.

FSC standards for forest managers (FM – Forest Management Certification) cover aspects such as:

• protection of forest areas against illegal use,
• sustainable harvesting of forest resources,
• protection of rare and endangered species,
• restriction on the use of chemicals,
• improvement of the condition of forests of particular conservation value.

FSC standards for companies using wood products (Chain of Custody Certification – CoC) relate to the control of the flow of raw materials from the forest (or from the recycling site) to the customer. They cover the processing, transport, storage, trade and distribution of timber and timber products, provided that the stage in question involves a change of ownership of the product. The recommended supply chain management system covers, amongst other things, quality management, production control, sales documentation and product labelling.

Benefits of implementation

FSC certification guarantees that a company manufactures its products using raw materials that meet the highest standards (starting with timber sourced from legal sources) and demonstrates the brand’s commitment to global efforts to protect forest areas. This helps to build a positive image and consumer trust, as consumers are now increasingly sensitive to environmental issues.

Certified compliance with FSC standards can result in:

• attracting new customers, including overseas markets,
• collaboration with companies in the supply chain,
• increased competitiveness,
• higher sales figures.

Another significant benefit of certification is the ability to use the globally recognised FSC trademark, which serves as a showcase for the company’s commitment to the environmental aspects of its operations.

Since 2010, in EU Member States, every entity involved in the production and distribution of timber products has been required to implement procedures and measures in its operations aimed, amongst other things, at identifying the origin of timber and conducting risk analysis. FSC certification is one way of meeting this requirement.