FSC Meaning
What Does FSC Mean?
The Forestry Stewardship Council, or FSC, was set up in 1993 to highlight deforestation's damaging environmental effects. Now, over thirty years later, their plight remains equally crucial in the battle to slow down climate change and the impact of global warming. The FSC has a straightforward mission: to promote responsible management of the world’s forests through a certification system, ensuring products are sourced from environmentally, socially and economically viable forests.
If you think about it, you’ve probably seen the FSC symbol multiple times on wood and wood-derived products. The logo signifies sustainability and consideration towards the environment, but what does it really mean to be FSC certified? And how can you obtain this notable marking?
What Is The Forestry Stewardship Council?
The Forestry Stewardship Council is a non-profit organisation whose core objective is to promote environmentally sound, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world's forests. In the early 1990s, concerns were growing over deforestation and unsustainable forestry practices. The 1992 Earth Summit in Rio was held to tackle some of these environmental issues, aiming to set a global blueprint for international cooperation and development policy. However, the summit failed to produce an agreement on deforestation. The FSC was created the following year and, since its inception, has created a globally recognised standard and certification system to ensure proper forest management.
If you purchase a product bearing the FSC marking, you can be sure that the high standards of the FSC council have been met all the way down the supply chain. In particular…
- Zero deforestation, meaning trees are harvested responsibly with zero net loss of forest over time.
- Biodiversity has been protected by maintaining plant and animal species and their habitats.
- Protect the rights of communities living in and around forest areas.
- Ensure workers are paid fairly and provided a safe working environment.
- Conserve forests with irreplaceable values.
What Does It Mean To Be FSC Certified?
Sustainability and the environment are things that most of us consider important these days. Whether taking out the rubbish or purchasing a car, our decisions affect the environment. Worldwide deforestation and its damaging effect on the environment is paramount, so it's good to know that by simply selecting a certified product, we are helping to manage forests responsibly. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international, non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world’s forests.
FSC forests are managed to strict environmental, social and economic standards. When we purchase an item that is FSC marked, we can be sure that the wood used has been sourced sustainably and with regard to the communities involved.
What Is FSC Certification
There are three different types of FSC certification. Forest Management Certification applies to forest managers or owners. Achieving this level of accreditation means that your long-term stewardship is recognised and tested against internationally agreed standards of responsible forest management. FSC Chain of Custody Certification ensures that material all the way up the supply chain, from forest to market, has been identified as eligible FSC material. This type of certification is used by manufacturers, traders, processors, distributors, printers, retailers, and many more. The final type of certification is called Promotional Licensing. This applies to those companies that buy FSC-labelled products from an FSC-certified supplier and either use them in their business or sell them on.
FSC certificate holders can display their certification proudly to local communities and the wider markets. Their values in terms of conservation, environmental social and economic standards are clearly labelled through the FSC markings.
Choosing FSC-Certified Products
The trusted standards that the FSC has worked hard to promote and foster among organisations worldwide allow end-users of timber-based products to show that they are making responsible choices. FSC certification will appear on a huge array of ‘wood-derived’ products and display an FSC label.
How Can I Tell If A Product Is FSC Certified?
Usually, products will display one of the three FSC markings above, so it's easy to see if an item is FSC-certified. However, some products are cut to size or unlabelled. In this case, check that the supplier is FSC certified – you can do this by checking the online database. You can also request FSC-certified products only when placing an order and look for the FSC logo on the delivery note or invoice. For paper products and printed materials, source an FSC-certified printing company. In every case, always ensure that the suppliers’ certificate is up to date and suitable for the products they offer.
FSC Certification in the Construction Industry
The construction industry is becoming increasingly aligned with FSC principles. Sustainable sourcing of timber products is made simple through FSC certification markings, ensuring construction products are obtained from responsibly managed forests, which prevent deforestation. Building Green is a leading standard in the construction industry and one to which FSC is recognised. Public projects often require FSC certified materials only to be used, making it a key consideration for contractors and suppliers.
FSC-Certified Doors: The Eco-Friendly Option for Your Project or Home
Selecting FSC-certified wood products, such as interior or exterior doors, is an easy but effective way to assist in sustainable forest management and the preservation of the environment. FSC-certified doors use wood sourced from forests that have strict ecological, social, and economic requirements. This implies that from the forest tree to the door in your house, all the activities in the supply chain have been analysed to be environmentally friendly.
Doors labelled as FSC ensure that products have been harvested responsibly, with no net deforestation, biodiversity preserved, and respect for the rights of forest inhabitants. These doors are high in quality and durability, and they also express an increasing need for sustainable and ethical building materials.
Whether you are choosing oak internal doors, internal pine doors or bespoke doors, selecting products that are FSC certified guarantees that you're making the decision to support a long-term conservationist strategy.
Look for the FSC logo or speak to our team if you want to know more about the FSC certification. It's a little label that will make a great impact, for your project, and for the world.
So, when you are on the cusp of an important decision about which type of internal door to select, hopefully, you will make the responsible choice and choose a product that is FSC-certified, like the high-quality Deanta internal doors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the FSC logo mean?
The FSC ‘tick-tree’ logo consists of an integrated tree and a tick promoting positive tree management in the world’s forests.
Does FSC mean recyclable?
Often, items marked with the FSC symbol are recyclable, but only when responsibly sourced and sensitively processed.
Is FSC a legal requirement?
No, FSC certification is not a legal requirement. However, it is seen as a positive ethical decision to become FSC-certified and to buy FSC-certified products. Organisations awarded the FSC marking have been properly assessed to ensure they meet the environmental standards imposed by the FSC.
Who created the FSC?
The FSC emerged from a meeting in Carolina. It is a multi-stakeholder organisation formed of environmental and human rights organisations, timber users and traders, forestry trade unions and other associated parties.
What’s PEFC?
PEFC, or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, is a global alliance of national forest standards that ensures each system meets international standards for sustainable forest management. FSC is a single entity with its own standards. Both organisations play a crucial role in forest management.
