Forest Stewardship Council certification is probably the most well known of the various sustainable forestry certifications. The FSC symbol has become synonymous with sustainable wood products and sustainable forestry. More on this can be found on our sustainable forestry management page. So what exactly is Forest Stewardship Council certification and why is this something we should look for?
Forest Stewardship Council certification began in 1993 following international consultation on the need for a credible system for identifying wood products as coming from well-managed sources. Forest Stewardship Council certification is carried out by accredited certification bodies and there are two types of certification available. These are the Forest Management Certificate awarded to a forest management company on compliance with the FSC Principles of Responsible Forest Management, and the Chain of Custody Certificate regarding the production of FSC-certified products from source to consumer. The latter is required in order to sell wood products as FSC certified. As of the end of 2007, there are currently about eighteen certification bodies worldwide, and the latest list can be found on the Forest Stewardship Council website.
Forest Stewardship Council certified products are available from more and more stores in the UK, so it is worth enquiring as to the source of any wood products next time you buy. The FSC logo, shown above, is clearly recognisable, but check if you are unsure as to a product’s source. Some stores offer a limited range of FSC certified products, whilst others only stock FSC certified wood or products with a similar certification.
For more information on Forest Stewardship Council certification visit the FSC website.
