FSC
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international non-governmental organization, founded in 1993, dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world’s forests.
FSC members comprise a diverse group of representatives from environmental and social groups, the timber trade, paper industry, forestry profession, indigenous people's organisations, community forestry groups and forest product certification organisations from around the world.
The number of FSC-certified forests is growing rapidly, covering 84 million hectares worldwide – about 10% of the world’s production forest.
Forests are inspected and certified against the 10 Principles of Forest Stewardship , which take into account environmental, social and economic factors (see below). The FSC is the only certification scheme endorsed by NGOs worldwide.
The FSC Principles of forest stewardship include consideration for :- Indigenous people’s rights
Respect for the legal and customary rights of indigenous peoples to own, use and manage their lands, territories and resources - Community and workers’ rights
Forest management must maintain or enhance long-term economic and social well-being for these groups - Environmental impact
Conserve biodiversity and make sure forest retains its ecological balance and integrity - Monitoring and assessment
The condition and productivity of the forest, and the environmental impacts of management, must be monitored - Maintenance of high conservation value forests
Operations must maintain or enhance the special attributes of these forests
What is FSC Chain of Custody (COC)?
In addition to forest management and certification, the FSC uses a Chain of Custody system which tracks the timber from the forest to the paper mill and then to the printer.
Only when this tracking has been independently verified, in our case by the Soil Association, is the product eligible to carry the FSC Logo.
To display the FSC Logo on your products you have to use an independently certified supplier who can guarantee the product as coming from forests that meet the internationally recognised FSC Principles and Criteria of Forest Stewardship. It is illegal to use to logo unless you have used accredited FSC suppliers with a COC number.
FSC on product labeling is growing in popularity and recognition all the time, with many high street brands using it on there timber, paper and even food products, such as Bodyshop, B&Q, Homebase and Tesco's for example.
Unfortunately there are examples of printers jumping on the “Green” band wagon without being certified - if in doubt please ask to see their Chain of Custody Certificate.
If a printer is FSC certified, then the end product can carry the FSC label ensuring that there has been no contamination between FSC and non-FSC material. However, the Chain of Custody is broken if the manufacturing mill or printer is not FSC certified.
Down load the Guide to using the FSC logo. (PDF)
There are three types of FSC certified paper available:FSC Mixed Sources
In 2005 the FSC introduced the Mixed Sources label.
The Mixed Sources label states that at least 50 per cent of the virgin fibre must come from FSC certified forests with the remaining percentage from controlled sources. Recycled waste can also be included up to a maximum of 90%.
Controlled sources exclude:- illegally harvested timber
- forests where high conservation values are threatened
- genetically modified organisms
- violation of peoples’ civil and traditional rights
- wood from forests harvested for the purpose of converting the land to plantations or other non-forest use
An FSC certified paper mill must be able to prove the origins of all the fibre it uses in its FSC products.
FSC RecycledThe FSC also has also recently introduced a recycled label. To carry this label a material must be made from 100 per cent post-consumer waste and made by an certified mill.
100% FSC100% FSC paper made by a certified mill.
Contact us now to find out how we can improve your green credentials today by making your print certified green.
Click here for our full Environmental Policy Statement.
