FSC policies and standards aim to make the greatest possible contribution to forest stewardship worldwide. FSC works to be recognized as the global centre of excellence in the development of international standards for forest certification.

The FSC International Center sets the framework for the development and maintenance of international, national and sub-national FSC standards.

This framework ensures that FSC policies and standards development processes are:

Transparent: The process for policy and standards development is clear and accessible.

Independent: Standards are developed in a way which balances the interests of all stakeholders, ensuring that no one interest dominates.

Participatory: FSC strives to involve all interested people and groups in the development of FSC policies and standards.


For FSC's approved policies and standards, visit the Policy and Standards section in the Document Center.

See FSC’s documents development workplan for recently approved policies, standards and guidance documents, and documents under development FSC Documents Development Workplan (May-June 2007).

FSC is committed to complying with the ISEAL Code of Good Practice for Setting Social and Environmental Standards. This code is available from the ISEAL website.

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