The FSC Promise

Every FSC label verifies that the forest material in that product comes from one, or a combination of, three sources.  

• FSC-certified forests: These are forests that are managed according to our standards for responsible forestry and have FSC Forest Management Certification.
• Recycled or reclaimed sources: These fibres were already in circulation, reducing the need for virgin forest material.
• Controlled sources: These sources meet the rules for FSC Controlled Wood. These standards mitigate the risk of forest-based products originating from unacceptable sources, specifically avoiding five harmful practices, which we call unacceptable activities.   

Independent third-party evaluations confirm that the forest-based material in FSC-certified products comes from these sources and that the relevant rules were followed. Once these rigorous checks are done and the product is ready to appear online or in-store, the FSC label can be applied. 

Around the world in stores and online, millions of products carry the check tree mark – the icon of the FSC label. You may have seen it on things like tyres, honey, or yoga mats.  

FSC has three labels, which organizations with the correct certification may use on their products. When you see the FSC label on any product, anywhere, it means that the forest materials in the product come from one, or a combination of, our three sources. This is confirmed by independent, third-party evaluations.  

Every FSC-certified product supports responsible forest management that helps protect biodiversity, upholds workers’ and Indigenous Peoples’ rights, and promotes transparency and accountability in forest supply chains. 

• FSC 100%: All the forest material in this product comes from well-managed, FSC-certified forests, which are managed to meet all our standards for responsible forestry.
• FSC Recycled: All forest material in this product is reclaimed or recycled. This includes materials like pre-consumer waste (e.g., manufacturing scraps) and post-consumer waste (e.g., used paper or textiles). Using these materials reduces the need for virgin forest material and supports a more circular economy, because fibre is kept in use longer and less waste is produced.
• FSC MIX: The product was produced using a mix of materials, including FSC-certified forests, FSC Controlled Wood and/or recycled material. This is allowed, because 100% certified material isn’t always available. It means that the product can still have the FSC label and are not linked to risk of illegal logging, violation of human rights, destruction of High Conservation Values, and conversion. 

We put in the work, audit supply chains, and set these requirements, so that you can rest assured that when you choose an FSC-certified, labelled product, you show your commitment to forests and those that depend on them.

FSC Forest Management Certification is all about the source – the forest. It provides forest owners and managers with strict rules on how wood is harvested and how to care for the forest. All the forest material leaving an FSC-certified forest can be referred to as FSC-certified material.  

• It means forests are audited against our standards for responsible forest management. These are strict rules against deforestation and degradation. The rules also help protect biodiversity and bans activity that might put certain High Conservation Value areas at risk. It requires workers to receive fair wages and safe working environments, and that the rights of Indigenous Peoples are respected.
• Conformity is checked through independent, third-party evaluations with public summary reports. 

FSC Controlled Wood means the forest material meets our requirements for FSC Controlled Wood. These requirements prohibit and are designed to avoid:  

• illegally harvested wood
• wood harvested in violation of traditional and human rights
• wood from forests with threatened High Conservation Values
• wood from forests with genetically modified trees
• wood from forests converted to plantations or non-forest uses   

FSC Chain of Custody Certification applies to any organization along the supply chain between the forest and the final product. They might produce or process certified material, make FSC-certified products, or label products as FSC-certified. It means that this organization’s forest supply chain is unbroken for the FSC-certified products and materials. 

• It confirms that the forest material or product they use comes from one, or a mix of our three sources: FSC-certified forests, recycled or reclaimed materials, and controlled sources, also known as Controlled Wood.
• All three sources require strict rules, especially for protecting workers’ rights and these rules must be followed throughout our supply chain.
• Independent third-party evaluations confirm that these rules are followed, which means that the products at the end of the supply chain support responsible forestry.

FSC Promotional Licence is our solution for ensuring that the last link in the forest supply chain – the finished product – has gone through our rigorous checks. It allows brands and retailers to promote the FSC-certified products they use or sell and that they may encourage you to buy FSC-certified products from them.  

• The requirements organizations need to meet to qualify for an FSC Promotional Licence
• How the FSC Promotional Licence fits into our set of solutions
• What the FSC label stands for 

FSC Project Certification allows organizations, including builders and architects, to certify their construction projects or exhibitions that use FSC-certified material and promote their forest commitment using our logo.  

• It confirms that the forest materials of the entire project, or a part of it, come from one, or a mix of, our three sources
• Independent third-party evaluations confirm that the certified project or a part contains no uncertified wood 

They may make claims about certain components of the project