What is FSC?
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification helps you to meet market demands, enhance your reputation and support the world's forests. FSC certification ensures timber product origins are responsible.
Founded in 1993 as a global membership-based NGO, FSC promotes responsible forest management through eco-labelling. Today, FSC certification is widely regarded as the gold standard for responsible forest management.
For business-to-business organisations to endorse and sell FSC-marked certified products, certification is mandatory. The FSC logo and labels create a robust connection between well-managed forests and end consumers, offering market incentives for certified forest operations and companies.
Preferred by Nature is an accredited FSC certification body (FSC™ A000535) for Forest Management, Chain of Custody, Controlled Wood, Project Certification and Ecosystem Procedures. Learn more about our accreditation scope.
>> Access the FSC Database to check the certification status of products
>> Learn how the FSC system works
Four reasons FSC is unique
- NGO support: FSC stands as the sole international forest certification scheme endorsed by major NGOs like WWF, cementing its "street credibility" and real-world impact.
- Stakeholder engagement: FSC organises itself into three chambers - social, economic and environmental - ensuring equitable influence at all decision-making levels.
- Globally aligned: FSC certification adheres to global standards and requirements. Certified forests span around 80 countries worldwide.
- Transparency: FSC is an international membership organisation guided by participation, democracy, equity and transparency principles.
Certification options
FSC Forest Management certification
For forest operators committed to responsible forestry, FSC Forest Management certification verifies environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable forest management.
>> Learn more about the Forest Management certification
>> Download our info sheet
FSC Chain of Custody certification
Manufacturers using forest-based materials can achieve FSC Chain of Custody certification, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable sourcing, ensuring processes are in place to produce and trade FSC-certified products. FSC Chain of Custody certification enables the use of the globally recognised FSC label on products, signifying support for responsible forestry.
>> Learn more about the Chain of Custody certification
>> Download our info sheet
FSC Regulatory Module
Help your business align with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by adopting the FSC Regulatory Module. This voluntary add-on for FSC-certified companies supports due diligence, risk assessments, and streamlined regulatory compliance. Expand your certification scope through a desk audit or your annual FSC audit.
>> Learn more about the FSC Regulatory Module
>> Download our info sheet
>> Learn more about the EUDR
FSC Project certification
Project certification underscores commitment to forest-friendly practices, ensuring the use of forest-based materials meeting FSC standards in your project. Project certification can apply to all or selected projects.
>> Learn more about the Project certification
FSC Controlled Wood certification
FSC controlled wood, from acceptable sources, can be mixed with FSC-certified material in products with the FSC Mix label, reducing the risk of forest products from unacceptable sources, including illegally harvested wood, violations of human rights, forest conversion to non-forest use, and more. There are two types of Controlled Wood certification: Forest Certification and Chain of Custody Certification.
>> Learn more about FSC Controlled Wood
Consultations
FSC Forest Management
See scheduled FSC Forest Management assessments and stakeholder consultations here.
FSC Controlled Wood
Find scheduled FSC Controlled Wood assessments here.
The FSC label & trademark
The FSC "check tree" label, recognised by 46% of consumers worldwide, signifies responsible forestry and sustainable sourcing from forests to consumers.
To ensure accurate use of FSC trademarks, certificate holders must submit trademark use requests for compliance verification, authorised exclusively by a Trademark Agent.
The Preferred by Nature Trademark Portal streamlines the trademark request process for FSC certificate holders, making it simple to submit requests and track progress.
>> Access our Trademark Portal
>> Browse our FSC Marketing Resources
Complaints and resolutions
In the event of complaints about our certification services or clients, we follow our Dispute Resolution Policy and may consult our Impartiality Committee in cases questioning Preferred by Nature’s impartiality.
FSC Standards
These standards and policies apply universally, irrespective of the type of FSC certificate you possess. The specifics of your certification’s scope dictate which FSC standards and policies are applicable to your company. Depending on the type of FSC certificate you hold, there may be additional, more specialised documents that you should also familiarise yourself with.
FSC Principles and Criteria
The FSC Principles and Criteria is a key document in the FSC certification system. These principles and criteria have global applicability and local adaptability through the FSC International Generic Indicators.
In the FSC System, policies, standards, and procedures undergo a comprehensive and transparent development, review, and revision process. Stay updated on the progress.
>> Explore FSC Connect for a complete list of documents
FSC Trademark Standard
As a certificate holder, you need to follow the specific requirements for using all trademarks. These are described in the FSC Trademark Standard for certificate holders.
Standard Consultations
FSC develops the core FSC standards, such as the global FSC Principles & Criteria. We advise you to check the FSC Consultation Platform for open consultations on key global FSC standards.
Info sheets
FSC Forest Management Certification Info Sheet
Learn about benefits, options and conditions applying to our FSC forest management certification services.
Learn about benefits, options and conditions applying to our FSC forest management certification services.
FSC Chain of Custody Certification Info Sheet
Know more about the FSC Chain of Custody Certification.
Know more about the FSC Chain of Custody Certification.
FSC Controlled Wood Certification Info Sheet
Know more about the process and requirements of the FSC Controlled Wood certification.
Know more about the process and requirements of the FSC Controlled Wood certification.
FSC Project Certification Info Sheet
Learn more about FSC project certification and the benefits that are involved.
Learn more about FSC project certification and the benefits that are involved.
FSC Regulatory Module info sheet
The FSC Regulatory Module is a voluntary add-on for FSC-certified businesses. It has been developed to help companies prepare for compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (...
The FSC Regulatory Module is a voluntary add-on for FSC-certified businesses. It has been developed to help companies prepare for compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (...
Guidelines
Guide on outsourcing of FSC activities
Guidance for FSC certificate holders on requirements pertaining to outsourcing of FSC production processes.
Guidance for FSC certificate holders on requirements pertaining to outsourcing of FSC production processes.
FSC core labour requirements - Self assessment
This document offers guidance on how organisations can fulfill the requirements specified by the FSC core labour requirements.
This document offers guidance on how organisations can fulfill the requirements specified by the FSC core labour requirements.
FSC Trademark Quick Guide
The trademark quick guide is developed based on the FSC Trademark Standard 50-001(V1-2). The quick guide is intended to facilitate the communication of certificate holders’ commit...
The trademark quick guide is developed based on the FSC Trademark Standard 50-001(V1-2). The quick guide is intended to facilitate the communication of certificate holders’ commit...
FSC Trademark Guide
This guide outlines the key requirements for using the FSC logo, eco-label, brand marks and trademarks on-product and off-product. It includes examples that help you to decipher t...
This guide outlines the key requirements for using the FSC logo, eco-label, brand marks and trademarks on-product and off-product. It includes examples that help you to decipher t...
Templates
FSC Controlled Wood Due Diligence System Summary Template
Template for use by clients certified or being certified to FSC-STD-40-005. Organisations are required to provide specific information in a summary of their due diligence system t...
Template for use by clients certified or being certified to FSC-STD-40-005. Organisations are required to provide specific information in a summary of their due diligence system t...
Outsourcing agreement template for non-FSC certified contractors
This is the Word format of the outsourcing agreement in our ‘Guide to outsourcing of FSC production activities’. Please note that this is an example of an outsourcing agreement th...
This is the Word format of the outsourcing agreement in our ‘Guide to outsourcing of FSC production activities’. Please note that this is an example of an outsourcing agreement th...
Procedures & policies
FSC Management System for Trademark Use
You can use this as a generic example of FSC trademark use management system.
You can use this as a generic example of FSC trademark use management system.
FSC Brands Intercompany Labeling Agreement
Sample FSC labeling procedure agreement between buyer and producer
Sample FSC labeling procedure agreement between buyer and producer
FSC Annual Administration Fee
FSC-POL-20-005 V3-4This document is revised annually and sets out the FSC Annual Administration Fee (AFF) applying to a calendar year. This approved version outlines the basic pri...
FSC-POL-20-005 V3-4This document is revised annually and sets out the FSC Annual Administration Fee (AFF) applying to a calendar year. This approved version outlines the basic pri...
Reports
Certification schemes report FSC
This evaluation aims to assess how the FSC forest certification system meets fundamental aspects of legality requirements for timber, as well as how the certification is set up to...
This evaluation aims to assess how the FSC forest certification system meets fundamental aspects of legality requirements for timber, as well as how the certification is set up to...
Standards
FSC Trademark Standard Annex 1
Describes the FSC trademark registrations by country and mark. Helps you to find out whether you need to use the TM or the ® symbol for a specific trademark published in a specifi...
Describes the FSC trademark registrations by country and mark. Helps you to find out whether you need to use the TM or the ® symbol for a specific trademark published in a specifi...
FSC Trademark Standard
FSC-STD-50-001 V2-1 Sets out the requirements for off-product and on-product use of the FSC logo and trademarks.
FSC-STD-50-001 V2-1 Sets out the requirements for off-product and on-product use of the FSC logo and trademarks.
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