When it comes to forests and forest-based products, FSC is undoubtedly one of the most important certifications that businesses, manufacturers, and consumers need to be aware of. So what is FSC? What are the key principles associated with this certification? Let’s find out in the following article.
What is FSC?
The FSC Organization
FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council, a non-governmental, non-profit organization established in 1993. This organization was created with the goal of developing and managing sustainable forests worldwide. This aims to ensure responsible wood sourcing while also playing an important role in environmental protection. To date, FSC is present in approximately 50 countries with 850 members ranging from non-governmental organizations, scientific research centers to businesses, etc.
FSC Certification
As FSC itself is a non-profit, non-governmental organization focused on sustainable forest development and management, FSC certification also revolves around this issue. With its criteria and principles, this organization sets standards that managers and producers can use to build their own sustainable systems and ensure environmental and social benefits for forests.
FSC certification is not permanent but is only valid for five years. Therefore, even after obtaining certification, forest managers and producers must continue to maintain their standard systems. Renewing certification every five years helps maintain the quality of wood and the forest environment in the long term and ensures fairness among forest managers and producers participating in this organization.
The 10 important FSC principles
So how does the FSC organization build and develop sustainable forests worldwide? FSC certification helps forest managers and producers create a timber market that is friendly to both consumer health and the environment through the following 10 important principles:
Principle 1: Compliance with laws and FSC organizational principles
This is undoubtedly the most important principle among the 10 FSC principles. Similar to registering for other international certifications, FSC requires participants to comply with local laws and regulations while fully meeting all requirements, criteria, and principles.
Principle 2: Rights and responsibilities regarding land use
To obtain FSC certification, participants must clearly define their rights to use and utilize land and forest resources in the long term through legal recognition.
Principle 3: Rights of Indigenous Peoples
FSC places great importance not only on environmental protection but also on the protection of indigenous cultures and traditions. Therefore, managers and producers must ensure the legal rights and respect of indigenous peoples regarding land ownership, use, and management.
Principle 4: Community Relations and Forestry Citizens’ Rights
The economic and social status of forestry citizens and communities will be maintained and improved throughout.
Principle 5: Benefits from forests
Forest management will be based on increasing the efficiency of forest product use and forest services to simultaneously meet economic interests and protect the environment and communities and society.
Principle 6: Environmental Impact
Forests are an important part of the global ecosystem. Therefore, protecting the forest environment is considered an urgent issue. For FSC certification, participants must not only protect forests but also conserve biodiversity and water and land resources in order to maintain the forest ecosystem as intact as possible.
Principle 7: Land Management and Use Plan
A long-term plan must be drawn up with clear and appropriate management objectives, implementation procedures, and activity intensity for the scale of the land.
Principle 8: Monitoring and Evaluation
Monitor forest conditions, forest products, and product production chains to implement management activities appropriate to the scale and density of forest management while effectively controlling the environmental and social impacts of such activities.
Principle 9: Maintain high conservation value forests
Management activities for high conservation value forests must maintain or have plans to enhance the attributes that define these areas. Conversely, decisions related to high conservation value areas must be carefully considered.
Principle 10: Planted Forests
While planted forests provide significant economic and social benefits, it is essential to plan and manage these areas in accordance with the 10 principles and associated criteria. This approach can help reduce pressure while promoting the restoration and conservation of natural forests.
Conclusion
To build a sustainable forest management and development system worldwide, FSC has established important principles and created a green certification that supports and guides green managers and producers. Therefore, if you are seeking recognition for your wood products, do not overlook this certification.