Stewards by nature As the leader in sustainable forestry, FSC® is trusted by NGOs, businesses, and consumers worldwide to protect healthy, resilient forests for all, forever.  Forests connect us all They sustain life on earth. They provide the air we breathe, filter the water we drink, and provide shelter for plants and animals. Life as we know it depends on forests.  Our purpose: nurturing responsible forestry so forests and people can thrive.  iStock.com / Bilanol iStock.com / panda3800 iStock.com / CHUNYIP WONG We’re guided by a vision for a world where the true value of forests is recognized by all Today, we’re the leader in sustainable forest management, operating the world’s most rigorous and trusted forest certification system. Our “check tree” label is found on millions of products worldwide, verifying sustainable sourcing from the forest to store shelves. Forty-six per cent of consumers around the globe recognize our label*. iStock.com / Roksana Bashyrova We’re expanding the value of certification. Certification is just one way we put the sustainable forestry standards at our core to work. In partnership with a diverse ecosystem of stakeholders, we’re developing new solutions focused on: Responsible Sourcing: Helping businesses work with forests responsibly Conservation: Maintaining and enhancing forest value Restoration: Accelerating forest recovery Learn more: How the FSC system works   FSC solutions FSC’s global strategy  FSC’s annual report  iStock.com / sculpies FSC / Arturo Escobar iStock.com / Gonzalo Matas We do more than talk about sustainable forestry. Our initiatives create healthier, more resilient forests worldwide.  iStock.com / Jasmina007 150+ million certified hectares of forest  1,200+ individuals and organizations from 93 countries who make up our governing body 55K+ certifications verifying sustainable sourcing  1,600+ companies licenced to promote FSC-labeled products  46% of consumers globally recognize the FSC label 1 planet FSC / Milan Reška Why forests matter Healthy and resilient forests are the first line of defence against the climate and biodiversity crises. Learn how sustainable forestry supports thriving forests and why stewardship is more important than ever.  Learn more → Every forest has a story Click on each tree to explore FSC certified forests around the world and learn how our initiatives protect forests and people. EuropeNorth AmericaAsia PacificAfricaLatin America 1995FSC UK becomes FSC’s first local network partner office, followed by FSC Netherlands and FSC Germany. 1995The world’s first FSC-labeled product, a wooden spatula, is sold in Sainsbury’s UK.Riga protects its urban green spacesThe urban forest surrounding the Baltic states’ largest capital becomes FSC certified.Read more →56+ millionHectares of FSC-certified forest in Europe.FSC welcomes the new EU Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR)With its sustainability requirements covering environmental and social aspects, FSC provides a strong foundation for businesses to build on to meet their EUDR duties.Read more →2019Italy becomes the first country in the world to certify the benefits of forests.Learn more →2021FSC chain of custody certifications in Europe grow 7 per cent and now exceed 23,000.Celebrating forests on World Music DayTo mark the intertwined connections of forests and culture, FSC Portugal put a fado performance on stage using guitars made entirely of FSC-certified products.Read more →2022FSC Norway opens, becoming FSC’s 30th local network partner.Read more →Maintaining integrity during war in UkraineFSC Ukraine has worked tirelessly, sometimes while hiding in bomb shelters, to reduce illegal logging and meet the escalating and changing needs of this sector.Learn more →2020FSC launches a Balkan languages website to serve the former Yugoslavia countries.Learn more →1996FSC’s first Standard Development Group established in Sweden. 1995FSC launches presence in the United States, followed by Canada in 1998.64+ million Hectares of FSC-certified forest in North America. Managing forests for bats in Appalachia Responsible forestry is helping vulnerable bat populations recover. Read more →2021FSC US launches its Ambassador Program featuring professional athletes, social media influencers, policymakers.Learn more →Martin Guitar introduces first FSC-certified, plastic-free acoustic guitarThe one-of-a-kind 00L Earth guitar is more than an instrument, it’s a call to action to end climate change.Read more →2021FSC US and FSC Canada launch e-commerce experience to help people find and buy FSC-certified products. 2019The Skokomish Indian Tribe becomes the fourth indigenous tribe in the US to earn FSC’s forest management certification.Upholding indigenous peoples’ rightsFSC Canada stands with indigenous groups in their fight for Free, Prior and Informed consent laws.Read more →2018FSC is recognized by Ecotrust as leader in climate-smart forestry. Good news for caribou in CanadaFSC Canada’s caribou conservation standards are at the center of recovery efforts in Northeastern Alberta.Read more →2xIncrease in awareness of FSC in the US between 2017–2021. +7,000Hectares of degraded forest land to be restored in East Kalimantan, Indonesia.Learn more →2006FSC launches presence in Japan and China.2017FSC reaches APAC certificates milestones: over 10,000 CoC certificates in the region.Read more →2019FSC’s “Tree Detective” make the news.Read more →2018FSC welcomes Thai Government’s support on certifying rubber under FSC certification scheme.Read more →2019FSC officially opens Korea office.Read more →20221.8billion+ publications - Japan Post chooses FSC-certified paper for its iconic New Year's postcards. Read more →2018Australia sees it first FSC National Forest Stewardship Standard. Learn more →Protecting rare and endangered wildlife on Borneo Island FSC certificate holder PT. Ratah Timber is protecting vulnerable animal populations in Indonesia. Learn more →2022FSC APAC partners with UN-REDD Lower Mekong Initiative.Learn more →2020Full project FSC-certified: Warak Kayu Microlibrary completed in Semarang Indonesia. Major South African retailers put forests first Two of the largest retailers in South Africa, Spar Group and Pick'n Pay Retailers, have joined in the fight for sustainable forestry. Read more →Forests for all, forever in Gabon The Gabonese government announces that 100 per cent of the country’s managed forest concessions will become FSC certified. Read more →9+ million Hectares of FSC-certified forest in Africa. Watershed restoration120 per cent gained volume of water within one year of intervention in South Africa.Learn more →+1,400,000 Hectares of certified forests to be restored in Namibia. Learn more →Interview: Wildlife thrives in Gabon’s FSC-certified forestsMeet the filmmakers exploring the impact of FSC certification on wildlife in Gabon.Read more →Certified forest growth FSC forest management certification in Africa increases by 22 per cent between 2020 and 2022. 2021FSC Interim National Standard launched for Kenya.FSC certification surges in the Congo Basin With the addition of new forest management certifications, over 2.9 million hectares of forest in the Republic of Congo become FSC certified.Read more →1997First FSC forest management certification and chain of custody certification issued in Africa. 1994Where it all began: FSC was originally headquartered in the forested region of Oaxaca, Mexico. 17+ million Hectares of FSC-certified forest in Latin America.Safeguarding the forest for future generationsThe CallerĂa indigenous community uses the latest responsible forestry practices to protect the Amazon.Read more →2022 Implementation Guide for Latin American standards is available. Read more →Searching for the King Vulture in Ejido Nuevo Becal Step into Ejido Nuevo Becal and see how responsible forestry creates thriving forests and communities. Read more →The importance of bamboo in Ecuador Read more →2022First certified paper millLearn more →2021Falabella becomes the first Chilean retailer to promote certified furniture.Learn more →2022Iconic Peruvian company uses 100 per cent FSC-certified recyclable packaging.Learn more →2021Concha y Toro winery earns FSC’s ecosystem services certification. Learn more →2021FSC Ecuador and FSC Germany team up to promote FSC-certified cardboard.Learn more →The Del Fuerte Company sponsors a forest in MexicoThe trademark license holder partners with FSC Mexico to take the next step in its commitment to sustainable forestry. Read more → Protecting forests and people around the globe We’ve certified more than 150 million hectares of forest worldwide. These forests are diverse. They range from tropical to boreal and are managed by global corporations, governments, local communities, and private owners alike. The one thing they all have in common: They meet FSC’s rigorous standards for responsible forest management.  Explore FSC-certified forests Use the map to find the forests where we’re making a difference with FSC certification. We protect the world’s oldest ecosystems using the latest technology iStock.com / duncan1890 We’re using isotopes and DNA testing to trace any piece of wood to within a 10km radius of the forest it came from. Wood identification → iStock.com / janiecbros We’re harnessing the power of satellite data to help auditors monitor forest health and proactively detect threats. Earth observation → iStock.com / PeopleImages We’re pioneering the use of blockchain to ensure certification compliance at every step of the supply chain . Blockchain → Allies for the forest FSC is a trusted partner to some of the world’s leading environmental organizations, and together, we’re working to ensure thriving forests worldwide.  World Wildlife Fund was a founding member of FSC in 1995 and continues to support FSC’s mission. Sierra Club was a founding member of FSC and has been an active international member of FSC since 1995. The Borneo Initiative has been an active international member of FSC since 2014. The Nature Conservancy has been an active international member of FSC since 2001. Rainforest Alliance was a founding member of FSC and has been an active international member of FSC since 1995. FSC / All paper and wood products are certified Sign up for our newsletters Subscribe for business updates or general updates to learn about different actions you can take to help protect forests. Subscribe → Forests are global, and so are we. With a presence in 70 countries, we’re taking responsible forestry worldwide. Contact your local team to learn how FSC is making an impact near you Find your local team → Become a forest steward We all have a role to play in protecting the future of our forests. Learn how you can join the FSC ecosystem and start making a difference today. Individuals → Businesses → Forest Managers → *Ipsos Global Consumer Recognition Study, June 2023