Credible claims with FSC Combatting greenwashing: Rigorous standards, established safeguards, and engagement with new legislation Jump to: Empowering Consumers → FSC Belgium /Bart Holvoet Greenwashing: FSC’s position and safeguards The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a global NGO dedicated to responsible forestry. Our multi-stakeholder system, grounded in third-party verification, balances environmental, social and economic interests. Our rigorous standards are created with input from diverse stakeholders and continuously evolve in line with societal needs, scientific evidence, and emerging legislation. These elements are key in combatting greenwashing. Read our media statement → The concepts of greenwashing and sustainability continue to evolve, both through emerging legislation, scientific evidence and knowledge, and consumer expectations. Three in four consumers believe green claims should only be allowed if independently verified and 80% believe that companies found guilty of greenwashing should be severely fined. FSC welcomes these developments while continues to adapt as such rules unfold, strengthening its system in response and aiming to uphold our integrity and third-party checks. This means we remain a strong system for validation of environmental claims of FSC-certified products, and we encourage rigorous and transparent communication globally.A report by OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) entitled Protecting and Empowering Consumers in the Green Transition acknowledges FSC’s “trusted marks for sustainable forestry practices” and highlights our rigorous certification and commitment to transparency as effective tools in empowering consumers and combatting greenwashing. FSC / We Communications What is greenwashing and what are the risks? Greenwashing is a deceptive practice where businesses make unsubstantiated claims, omit critical information, or obscure the truth about their environmental practices. While greenwashing may appear to be a harmless marketing tactic, it has serious consequences. It lowers a customer's ability to make informed choices and puts a company’s reputation at risk. It threatens real progress on sustainability issues, not only through false claims on the market. The fear of greenwashing can prevent communication and positive ripple effects of climate action. Read more about greenwashing → New greenwashing report RepRisk´s study reveals an increase in greenwashing linked to biodiversity risk compared to 2021 – including a rise in both incidents and companies. Where biodiversity risks grow, greenwashing follows Download the full study to understand the impact of greenwashing and biodiversity risks across countries and sectors. RepRisk → How FSC is safeguarding companies against greenwashing Why companies, businesses, and consumers can trust the claims about FSC. Protecting consumers and supporting FSC-certified companies to substantiate their claims Equally influenced and balanced. FSC’s system is fundamentally balanced. The FSC membership, consisting of 1,200+ organizations, unions, environmental groups, individuals, and companies from 90+ countries, decide our policies. Social, environmental, and economic perspectives carry equal weight. Strict, globally aligned standards. FSC standards are developed with input from a balanced set of stakeholders, often through an open, public consultation. Wherever FSC standards are applied in the world, they must conform with a set of holistic, core principles. Learn more about our standards here.Independently verified certification. Independent third parties must evaluate companies to award certification and perform annual audits to confirm that the requirements set out in the standards are met.ISEAL Code Compliance. FSC is the only forest certification system that is ISEAL code compliant. ISEAL is the global association for voluntary sustainability standards, and FSC’s adherence to the code means our forestry standards are developed transparently, based on principles that set global best practices. Assuring credible claims about FSC-certified products and materials Certified and non-certified materials separated. FSC-certified companies must separate FSC-certified materials from non-certified material. They are audited by independent verifiers annually to confirm that uncertified materials are not sold as FSC-certified.Logo and trademark usage authorized. FSC requires prior authorization or approval of every communication or claim featuring FSC. This ensures that companies using the FSC logo or communicating about FSC performed the required checks and verifications and are held accountable as needed. Transparent labelling. FSC on-product labels include information about the FSC claim, the certified material, and the certificate holder. This helps consumers verify what they are buying. New innovations like FSC Trace will help companies trace the product or material back to the source.Misuse can be reported. Anyone, whether a company or a member of the public, can report suspicion of logo misuse. Report misuse → Violators expelled Our Policy for Association (PfA) uniquely allows us to identify and expel organizations engaged in harmful activities, even outside of certified areas. Learn more → Misuse investigated We thoroughly investigate instances of logo misuse. This investigation and reporting process involves collaboration with our accreditation partners and certification bodies, and use of the logo is revoked if necessary. FSC Belgium /Bart Holvoet Anti-greenwashing regulations and initiatives FSC strongly supports worldwide legislations and initiatives aimed at fighting greenwashing, with a shared goal of ensuring environmental claims and communications do not mislead consumers and supports licence holders to continue communicating about FSC credibly.Together with global NGOs, we are engaging with key global initiatives to advance transparent communications. Legislations, while most pressing in Europe, are formalizing a global urgency for robust legal measures to prevent misleading environmental claims. European anti-greenwashing regulations including Empowering Consumers FSC engages constructively on emerging regulations, reviewing and updating our certification system in response. We work closely with ISEAL and provide evidence-based feedback to EU Institutions. Our joint goal is to raise the bar for sustainability claims and labels while keeping compliance achievable. A key focus for us currently is the Empowering Consumers Directive (EmpCo), which sets requirements for environmental claims and sustainability labels. It is already adopted, and it will enter into effect in September 2026. © FSC Portugal / 360 Perspetivas For affected certificate holders The revised Trademark Standard (FSC-STD-50-001) was published on 1 January 2026, and provides the required alignment. The Standard sets the rules for trademark usage for certificate holders. Among the improvements included in the revision, it now provides a list of more than 60 specific environmental claims that FSC-certified companies can use with confidence. FSC's Trademark Standard → © FSC / Boxes (Mail Boxes Germany GmbH) For brands and retailers FSC is also updating the requirements for our Promotional Licence Holders – which includes brands and retailers – by revising the Trademark Use Guide. The new guide will introduce clearer rules for trademark use, a list of substantiated environmental claims, and practical guidance that supports accurate and credible communication about FSC-certified products. FSC's Trademark Use Guide → Global transparency FSC is keeping our promise of credibility and rigour by continuously enhancing our digital platforms to provide stakeholders and consumers with transparent, easy-to-access information. We’re enhancing our website navigation and developing dedicated webpages that provide clear substantiation for all FSC-related claims and the relevant certification requirements. These efforts reflect FSC’s commitment to clear, transparent sustainability communication. FSC and Empowering Consumers FAQ The EU Empowering Consumers Directive (EmpCo) strengthens requirements for environmental claims and sustainability labels to make sure that information provided to consumers is credible, transparent, and verifiable. In meeting these clearly defined criteria, certification systems play a key role in enabling reliable sustainability communication. The FSC certification system aligns with these requirements. Through transparent governance, multi-stakeholder standard setting, robust compliance mechanisms, and independent third-party verification, FSC ensures that specific sustainability claims associated with FSC-certified products are credible and substantiated. Below is an overview of how the FSC certification system aligns with specific EmpCo requirements. If you have specific queries, please reach out to trademark@fsc.org. Open, transparent and non-discriminatory scheme access EmpCo requirement: “The scheme is open under transparent, fair, and non-discriminatory terms to all traders willing and able to comply with the scheme’s requirements.”The FSC certification system is open to all traders that comply with its requirements. Access to the system is governed by transparent, fair, and non-discriminatory conditions.All FSC normative documents are publicly available through the FSC Document Centre, ensuring that the requirements for certification are accessible to all interested stakeholders. Information on certification fees and pricing structures, including the Annual Administration Fee (AAF), is/are also publicly available.These requirements and conditions apply equally to all applicants. Access to FSC certification is not restricted by company size, number of certifications already issued, or other factors that could disadvantage certain traders.Further information on the FSC certification process is available for Forest Management and Chain of Custody Certification Standards developed through experts and stakeholder consultations EmpCo requirement: “The scheme’s requirements are developed by the scheme owner in consultation with relevant experts and stakeholders.”Fundamentally, FSC develops standards through a structured and transparent multi-stakeholder process. The procedure FSC-PRO-01-001 – Development and Revision of FSC Normative Documents establishes the requirements for standard development, including the formation of working groups and consultation with relevant experts and stakeholders.FSC standards are reviewed and revised on a rolling basis with public information shared as part of the FSC normative framework schedule. Experts, industry representatives, environmental and social stakeholders, and other interested parties contribute to both the development of new standards and the revision of existing ones.Public consultations are conducted through FSC’s consultation platform, ensuring stakeholders can review and provide input on proposed requirements. Procedures for addressing non-compliance EmpCo requirement: “The scheme sets out procedures for dealing with non-compliance with the scheme’s requirements and provides for the withdrawal or suspension of the use of the sustainability label by the trader in case of non-compliance with the scheme’s requirements.”FSC maintains comprehensive procedures to address non-compliance with certification requirements and to protect the integrity of the FSC label.The procedure FSC-PRO-01-008 – Processing Complaints in the FSC Certification Scheme establishes the framework for handling complaints and disputes. Stakeholders can submit complaints directly through FSC’s website or through other channels. Certification bodies and certificate holders are subject to compliance procedures defined in FSC standards.Non-compliance is assessed through a structured system that distinguishes between minor and major non-conformities. Depending on the severity of the issue, measures may include:• correction and corrective action requests with defined timelines for resolution• suspension of certification• withdrawal or termination of certification• blockage from lifting suspension or re-entering the system after terminationComplaints and unresolved cases may be escalated to ASI (Assurance Services International), FSC’s assurance provider, which provides independent and impartial oversight of FSC-accredited certification bodies.FSC also safeguards the integrity of its system with rigorous processes that ensure end-to-end coverage. Information about certification status and blockage measures are publicly available through the FSC certification database.This means that the FSC scheme can effectively address non-compliance, including suspension or withdrawal of the right to use the FSC label. Independent third-party monitoring EmpCo requirement: “The monitoring of a trader’s compliance with the scheme’s requirements is subject to an objective procedure and is carried out by a third party whose competence and independence from both the scheme owner and the trader are based on international, Union or national standards and procedures.”Compliance with FSC certification requirements is verified through independent third-party organizations.Certification bodies, that operate independently from FSC and the certified companies/traders/entities, carry out evaluations of companies holding an FSC certification to assess conformity with FSC standards.The FSC requirements for certification bodies are based on ISO 17065. The FSC scheme is additionally compliant with the ISEAL Code of Good Practice, an international framework of requirements for effective and credible sustainability systems. Emerging and evolving policy initiatives beyond Europe The Government of Canada recently made significant changes to the Competition Act as part of its efforts to modernize Canada’s competition laws. These important changes have strengthened the Competition Bureau’s ability to protect and promote competition for the benefit of both consumers and businesses.The Australian Government launched an inquiry into greenwashing, examining the prevalence and impact of misleading environmental and sustainability claims, and will issue a report with guidance. FSC is actively engaging in the process.India’s new Ecomark Rules seek to ensure accurate labelling and prevent misleading information about products. Products accredited under these rules will adhere to specific environmental criteria and encourage sustainable consumption. Read about more global policies and initiatives against greenwashing here. © FSC Canada / Jérémie Leblond-Fontaine FSC supports global initiatives against greenwashingFSC is working with the One Planet Network to promote integrity in sustainability communication: We adhere to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Guidelines for Providing Product Sustainability Information, on making environmental claims that are clear, credible, and evidence based. Read more here.We are co-leading the Working Group 4 on Biodiversity focusing on sustainable production and consumption.We align with the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) recommendations on Protecting and Empowering Consumers and are acknowledged in the related report as having “trusted marks for sustainable forestry practices". Read more here.We are an official partner of Retail4Impact, an initiative working closely with 10 retailers and 30+ partners to provide credible product sustainability information to consumers. FSC / Jonathan Perugia Advancing global ambitions for credible communications FSC shares the global goal of ensuring that environmental claims and communications do not mislead consumers and lead to purchasing decisions that drive real environmental impact. We encourage credible communications that empower consumers to make impactful purchasing decisions, and we are here to support companies that are ready to commit to transparent marketing. Echoing the call from UN Secretary-General António Guterres—“We must have zero tolerance for net-zero greenwashing”— FSC works to improve and strengthen its commitment, accountability, and consumer trust in sustainability markets. Tools and support from FSC Meeting global best practice for communicating credibly about sustainability work may seem daunting, but we are here to support. If you are an FSC certificate or licence holder, we have a platform just for you. Logo usage and promotional support Visit the FSC Brand Hub now for ready-made marketing materials and campaign assets you can use with confidence. FSC Brand Hub → FSC Canada / Monika Patel Additional resources FSC to strengthen credible claimsFSC releases revised trademark standard for certificate holdersFSC revises requirements for how retailers and brands promote with the FSC marksRollout of the new FSC trademark standard: Guidance and support for certificate holdersArticle: Our extensive article on greenwashing provides further background reading.Podcast: Greenwashing and FSC: Is there a limit to what you can say?Resource: FSC contributed to Good Practice: Ecolabels and Sustainable Public Procurement. Read it here.