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Why does FSC certify forest management in natural forests?

FSC is very aware of the pressure that primary forests face throughout the world. Much of the remaining natural forests still suffer from illegal exploitation, poor management and conversion to other land uses, commonly resulting in severe degradation or complete destruction. In fact, these same concerns led to the establishment of FSC in 1993.

A key factor behind the threats faced by natural forests is their lack of economic value seen by society at large. The extraordinary social and ecological value of forests in comparison to other land uses is often not considered. In other words, forests are often converted to other land uses, which lack many of the social and environmental values of forests but promise higher economic returns.

FSC uses certification to engage market dynamics in driving recognition for forests at large and in improving social and environmental standards in forest management practices worldwide. FSC standards ensure that these forests maintain the values and benefits they provide to society. By providing a market differentiation mechanism, FSC enables responsible forest managers to capture more value from their forests, allowing them to compete with pressures from other land uses and the artificially low prices caused by predatory and illegal logging.

Demand for forest products around the world will not only continue but also accelerate. Wherever and whenever decisions are taken to manage forests, FSC attempts to influence and convince forest managers to implement responsible social and environmental practices, including in primary natural forests.

The quickly growing demand for forest products worldwide will inevitably result in parts of natural forests being used for production purposes. It is FSC’s mission to help ensure that not only economic considerations, but equally social and environmental concerns are taken into account whenever forests are managed. FSC does not promote exploration of forests but equitable incorporation of social and environmental considerations when this happens.   

Natural forests in comparison to semi-natural forests or plantations often provide a unique set of social and environmental attributes. When decisions are taken by societies, industries or communities to further explore natural forests for economic purposes, we feel that it is particularly important that the FSC standards are met. To withdraw from applying the FSC standards to logging in natural forests, would not end further exploration of natural forests, but only sacrifice a tool to promote equitable consideration of social and environmental issues in forestry, where it matters most. It is in natural forests where FSC standards can result in substantial social and environmental improvements and ultimately support the conservation and long-term maintenance of these forests.

FSC is a multi-stakeholder organization equitably involving social, environmental and economic stakeholders from the Global South and Global North in decision-making. FSC rules and procedures have been developed through strong multi-stakeholder processes, and are supported and endorsed by social, environmental and economic constituents in the Global South and Global North alike. FSC is recognized for the highest social and environmental standards for forest management worldwide.

FSC works with its partners to enforce the implementation of such standards in FSC certified areas which includes over 50 million hectares of natural forest. Under FSC certification civil and indigenous rights are respected, areas of high social and environmental conservation value are maintained or enhanced, forests are not converted, highly hazardous pesticides and genetically modified trees are prohibited, and harvesting must meet national laws and international treaties. In fact, FSC developed the concept of High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF) specifically to recognize socially and environmentally valuable areas.

FSC is recognized as the most credible system in forest management certification and is widely regarded as one of the most important initiatives of the last decade to promote better forest management worldwide. However, it is only part of the solution for the conservation of natural forests and FSC believes that a full set of different complementary conservation strategies is necessary to protect and maintain the world’s forests.

Further information:

• Reports on FSC (pdf)
• Who is supporting FSC and why? visit whyFSC

How does FSC avoid certifying forests that are illegally logged?

Principle 1 of the FSC Principles and Criteria requires compliance with all applicable laws and is verified by certification bodies. This and the accreditation control mechanisms ensure that FSC is not unwillingly certifying illegal logging.

Furthermore, FSC is constantly monitoring our performance and develop the FSC system further to deal with particular difficult or new issues.

What is the problem and what solutions does FSC offer?

Forests provide us with clean water, fresh air and they even help combat global warming. They also provide food, medicine and important natural resources, such as timber and paper. If managed responsibly, forests and plantations benefit forest people and the global community. However, in some countries as much as 80% of the timber is harvested illegally. This often involves violation of human rights and destruction of protected forests.

FSC certification offers forest managers rewards for managing their forests the FSC way – following the highest social and environmental criteria there are. In some instances rewards can be in the form of price premiums. But increasingly, FSC certification is rewarded with improved access to environmentally sensitive markets. Also, more and more governments and leading businesses specify FSC certified materials in their purchasing programs.

How does FSC certification make a difference in the world’s forests?

All FSC certified forests must comply with FSC’s rules about how the forests should and should not be managed. When a forester decides to become FSC certified, he or she will make changes to comply with the relevant FSC requirements and become FSC certified. This is how FSC has a direct and permanent positive impact on the world’s forests and the people living from, in and around the forest.

Why should I become FSC certified?

Being FSC certified shows that you comply with the highest social and environmental standards on the market. As public concern about the state of the world’s forests and timber resources increases, FSC provides you with a simple solution to complex environmental and social issues. The FSC label is an effective way to get public and consumer recognition of your responsible practices. This gives you credibility with customers and business partners as well as financial institutions and watchdog organizations.

FSC certification helps to protect your brand and reputation and it allows you to access highly environmentally sensitive markets. Increasingly, governments and other organizations specify FSC certified products in their purchasing programs.

Because FSC is the only globally valid standard it is also the only standard that is no barrier to trade under the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Become certified

Related entries:

• Who makes the FSC rules?

Who makes the FSC rules?

The overarching FSC Principles and Criteria were adopted by the FSC membership and can only be changed or amended by a vote of the FSC membership. Everybody interested in the fate of the world’s forests can become an FSC member. FSC members meet at least every three years to a General Assembly. The FSC General Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the FSC.

At the FSC International Secretariat, a group of international specialists develop the FSC policies and standards. All policies and standards are derived from the FSC Principles and Criteria.  And again, it is the members who ultimately define what rules need to be further developed or reviewed and through their representatives on the FSC Board of Directors have final say in what rules are adopted. All policies and standards go through at least two rounds of public consultations. In these consultations everybody interested in the fate of the world’s forests can comment.

The FSC Board of Directors unanimously adopts FSC rules and procedures. The FSC Directors are appointed by vote of the FSC members.

In a number of countries, FSC has national representations. They can initiate and facilitate a national standard setting process – again, involving all members and members and interested public. National FSC standards are adaptations of the international FSC rules to more specifically address the national situation.

How FSC standard setting works

More about FSC governance

What changes do FSC rules require foresters to make?

The FSC Principles and Criteria describe how the forests have to be managed to meet the social, economic, ecological, cultural and spiritual needs of present and future generations. They include managerial aspects as well as environmental and social requirements. In fact FSC rules are the strictest and FSC’s social and environmental requirements the highest.

The 10 principles and 56 criteria form the basis for all FSC forest management standards. Based on these 10 principles, the FSC has developed further rules (called policies or standards) that further define and explain certain requirements stipulated in the 10 principles.

Here is a summary of some of the points the FSC Principles and Criteria require. Many of the points listed below will appear almost basic – but in many places, even these basic requirements are not fulfilled. This is where FSC can have the biggest positive impact.

• Prohibit conversion of forests or any other natural habitat
• Respect of international workers rights
• Prohibition of use of hazardous chemicals
• Respect of Human Rights with particular attention to indigenous peoples
• No corruption – follow all applicable laws
• Identification and appropriate management of areas that need special protection (e.g. cultural or sacred sites, habitat of endangered animals or plants)

More info about the FSC Principles and Criteria