FSC and RSB unite to break down certification silos and enable circular innovation

In a decisive step toward advancing the transition to a biobased economy, based on a more credible, interconnected, and efficient certification landscape, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) are joining forces in a new collaboration, supported by the ISEAL Innovations Fund.  

The project — “Frameworks for Recognition: Unlocking Certified Flows Across Sustainability Systems” — will develop and pilot robust, scalable methodologies that allow materials certified under one credible system, such as RSB’s bio-based inputs, to be recognised within another, such as FSC’s forest-based certification. If successful, this cross recognition certification model could represent a breakthrough for circular sourcing, improving  supply chain efficiency, and the scaling of biobased supply chains . 
 

“At FSC it’s important for us to find ways to enable companies to innovate their fibre sourcing, while safeguarding the integrity of our certification scheme,” said Loa Dalgaard Worm, leader of the FSC Circularity Hub. “This project allows us to integrate the best of two worlds – making it easier for companies to combine fibre types without needing multiple certifications, while keeping transparency and credibility at the core of the FSC label.” 
 

“By enabling credible recognition between sustainability systems, we’re addressing a bottleneck that limits circularity and slows progress toward net-zero goals,” added Elena Schmidt, Executive Director of RSB. “RSB is proud to work alongside FSC in developing practical solutions that strengthen assurance while scaling impact.” 

A model for future-proof certification 

As sustainability ambitions grow, certification systems must evolve to stay relevant and effective. This partnership brings together FSC’s expertise in responsible forest-based supply chains with RSB’s innovation in bio-based materials, creating a replicable model for recognition between systems. The first focus will be on integrating non-forest bio-based fibres (NFBFs) into FSC-certified value chains, by combining them with non-forest based feedstocks ,such as agricultural residues, certified under the RSB sustainability framework.  

Key outcomes from the partnership between FSC and RSB include: 

• Recognition framework: Piloting a scalable model for  mutual recognition between certification schemes, built on rigorous safeguards, traceability, and assurance requirements to maintain credibility. 
• AI-Enhanced monitoring: Piloting automated tools to detect emerging risks, reputational issues, and scheme-level changes across recognised systems. 
• Interoperable data sharing: Exploring secure protocols for sharing audit data to improve oversight, reduce duplication, and strengthen trust. 
• Industrial trials: Partnering with leading brands to test certified agricultural residues in packaging and fibreboard applications, validating traceability, performance, and market readiness. 

Each step is grounded in the same rigorous standards that have made both FSC and RSB certification globally trusted.  

Designed for scale and replication 

Although the pilot focuses on RSB certified bio-based feedstocks (fibers)  entering FSC-certified supply chains, the resulting frameworks will be modular and globally applicable. Other certification schemes will be able to adopt and adapt them across sectors such as  textiles, construction, and industrial biochemicals. 

 
The collaboration also sets the stage for greater  alignment between systems  on key sustainability metrics — including carbon accounting, biodiversity impact, and social safeguards — strenthening the credibility and comparability of sustainability claims in an increasingly complex marketplace.                                                                                    

About the project 

The initiative is funded by the ISEAL Innovations Fund and will run from September 2025 to September 2027. Learnings and tools will be shared through ISEAL platforms, direct industry engagement, and public knowledge-sharing to drive uptake across the wider sustainability community. 

Both FSC and RSB are independently evaluated against ISEAL’s Codes of Good Practice, a globally recognised framework for effective and credible sustainability systems. More information is available at  isealalliance.org.