Wood Identification FSC / Phil Sharp FSC / Phil Sharp The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and its partners can use scientific techniques including isotope testing to determine the geographic area where a specific piece of wood originates from. This way FSC works to ensure that the wood used in the supply chains of FSC-certified products originates from legitimate sources. FSC UK / M.More Chemistry of wood: Isotope testing Every living organism is made of chemical elements that reflect its biology and the environment where it grows. Through nutrient uptake and other natural processes, organisms absorb these elements from their surrounding soil, water, and atmosphere. Differences in environmental conditions affect these elements, creating a distinctive chemical signature. Organisms of the same species that grow in the same area often share similar signatures which can be used to identify their geographic origin. Scientists use a technique called Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis (SIRA) to examine the ratios of isotopes in elements such as carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur. FSC Europe / Anna Jabal Using wood ID testing FSC has used wood identification (wood ID) testing in a range of pilot projects to better understand how these tools could be applied within our system. Wood ID has also been used on an ad hoc basis to support investigations, including the Aucoumea TV Loop and Eurasia Integrity Workplan. FSC Denmark / Loa Dalgaard Worm Our partner: World Forest ID World Forest ID (WFID) is working at the intersection of science and law to create the data and tools necessary for current policy initiatives designed to control illicit trade, increase corporate disclosure, support nature-based solutions to environmental challenges, and drive meaningful change in the food sector to have real world impact. FSC has supported World Forest ID in various projects including contributions to the reference library and support in development of their data platform. The platform uses AI to create spatial reference models that capture chemical variability across landscapes and species ranges. FSC UK Global reference library World Forest ID is building the world’s largest database of geo-referenced wood samples from all regions of the world where illegal logging is an issue. This database will help in exceptional cases where wood identification is needed to assess questionable origins. The World Forest ID Consortium is a group of public research institutions committed to protecting forests and other ecosystems using science. Facilitated by World Forest ID, its mission is to scale the data necessary to make forest-connected supply chains transparent for all stakeholders and to support the enforcement of environmental laws. FSC has contributed and will continue to contribute data to the reference library. World Forest ID Consortium → Multimedia IUFRO video on FSC's work and ambition. Forest for the Future Podcast: Episode 69: Proof from the ground and sky - Combining forensic testing and earth observation, featuring Scot McQueen, Senior Technology Officer at FSC International and Jade Saunders, Director of World Forest ID.Listen here. 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 →