FSC Certifications: What Are They + Are They Sustainable?

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Final Up to date on October 17, 2024

By now, you’ve most likely seen Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certifications on a few of your merchandise. However what precisely does it imply? And the way does it correlate with sustainability?

Paper merchandise are one of the vital frequent FSC licensed gadgets. However many different gadgets may be FSC licensed, reminiscent of wood furnishings, decking, and packaging.

FSC Certifications: What Are They + Are They Sustainable?

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The FSC certification primarily means the product licensed got here from responsibly managed forests. That is necessary, contemplating the alarming scale of deforestation taking place on our planet.

Deforestation and forest degradation is the second main reason for carbon air pollution, inflicting 20% of whole greenhouse fuel emissions.

A staggering 13.4 million acres of Brazil’s Amazon have burned by way of August 2024 alone, an space bigger than Costa Rica.

And it’s not simply the Amazon being affected: Forests proper right here within the US are feeling the consequences of local weather change too.

Maine’s forests are a significant a part of the state’s id and financial system. However because the local weather adjustments, and pressures on pure sources enhance, how we handle these forests will turn into much more vital.

Local weather change is already affecting Maine’s forests with shifting temperatures, altering notion patterns, new pest pressures and invasive species. Sustainable forestry practices are important for adapting to those adjustments, whereas preserving the forest’s ecological and financial worth.

That’s why it’s important to guard forests. There are a number of methods we are able to do that, like selecting to eat much less beef (cattle ranching is the primary reason for deforestation within the Amazon), recycling paper properly, supporting native tree planting efforts, and shopping for FSC licensed supplies.

Right here’s the whole lot it is advisable learn about FSC certifications and why they matter.

what’s fsc licensed?

FSC licensed stands for Forest Stewardship Council, which is one essentially the most acknowledged certifications globally. The FSC certifies forests to make sure their environments are managed in a manner that protects biodiversity, water sources, and the rights of indigenous folks.

FSC licensed forests should meet the best environmental and social requirements. However what precisely are FSC requirements?

As listed on their web site, FSC requires any managers of licensed forests to:

Adjust to all relevant legal guidelines

Keep or enhance the social and financial well-being of staff

Uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples

Keep or enhance the social and financial well-being of native communities

Handle their services and products in a manner that maintains or improves their long-term financial viability, social advantages, and environmental advantages

Keep, preserve, and/or restore the ecosystem providers and environmental values of managed forests; and likewise keep away from, restore, or mitigate detrimental environmental impacts

Set up a administration plan that outlines their financial, environmental, and social insurance policies and aims

Exhibit progress towards assembly these aims

Keep or enhance excessive conservation values;

Be sure that all administration actions adjust to FSC rules and standards.

Full descriptions of those rules and the standards that decide whether or not the rules are being adopted can be found here.

Nevertheless, it’s necessary to notice that for FSC, it’s not nearly assembly requirements: It’s about doing what’s proper for the forest, and the group.

what are the completely different fsc certificates?

There are three completely different FSC certifications accessible: Forest Administration, Chain of Custody, and Managed Wooden. In all varieties of certifications, unbiased FSC-Accredited Certification Our bodies confirm that every one FSC-certified forests conform to the necessities contained inside the FSC forest administration normal. This third-party verification is essential to the integrity of the FSC system.

Right here’s a little bit extra about every certification.

forest administration certification

Consider this because the “good forestry observe” stamp. It signifies that forests are managed in a manner that’s environmentally accountable, socially useful, and economically viable.

chain of custody certification

This one’s all concerning the journey. It tracks the wooden from the licensed forest, by way of each step of the availability chain, to the ultimate product, guaranteeing that the product actually comes from a responsibly managed forest.

managed wooden

That is for many who need to combine licensed and non-certified wooden, however nonetheless need to be sure that the non-certified wooden is from low-risk sources. It’s like a high quality management measure to maintain out the unhealthy stuff like illegally harvested wooden.

what do fsc labels imply?

When you’re a shopper, chances are high you’ve observed a little bit FSC label in your merchandise earlier than. However there are three completely different varieties. Right here’s what every of them imply.

FSC 100%: This implies all of the supplies used come from responsibly managed, FSC-certified forests.

FSC recycled: The means the product is created from 100% recycled supplies, which reduces the stress to reap extra timber and conserves treasured forest sources.

FSC combined: This implies the product is created from a mixture of supplies from FSC-certified forests, recycled supplies, and/or FSC-controlled wooden. Whereas managed wooden doesn’t come from FSC-certified forests, it mitigates the danger of the fabric originating from unacceptable sources.

What are fsc necessities?

There are various necessities to earn FSC certification, relying on which type of certification you’re aiming for. Right here’s a snapshot of what every certification requires.

Forest Administration Certification: Forest operations should adhere to 10 rules that cowl a broad vary of points, together with sustaining excessive conservation values, group relations, staff’ rights, and monitoring environmental and social impacts.

Chain of Custody Certification: This certification tracks the wooden from the licensed forest by way of each step of the availability chain to the ultimate product. It ensures that the product actually comes from a responsibly managed forest.

Managed Wooden: This certification ensures that non-certified wooden comes from low-risk sources and is free from unlawful harvesting, genetically modified organisms, and violation of conventional and human rights.

Every certification sort has its personal set of detailed requirements and standards that have to be met, and certification is carried out by unbiased, third-party certifying our bodies.

what merchandise are fsc licensed?

Fortunately, there are a number of merchandise which have the FSC certification.

Some varieties of merchandise that may be FSC licensed embody:

Paper merchandise, packaging, tissue, and occasional cups

Sports activities gear like skis and wetsuits

Furnishings and residential décor

Here’s a full list of FSC certified products from corporations small and enormous in all types of classes, reminiscent of style, furnishings, magnificence, and stationary.

gzw authorized fsc licensed merchandise

There are millions of FSC licensed merchandise to select from, however listed here are a number of from my favourite manufacturers. These manufacturers go above and past being simply FSC licensed, but additionally make the most of sustainable supplies, aware packaging, and provides again.

I’ve made positive to focus on which merchandise of their provide chain are FSC licensed, or if simply their packaging is. I’ve gone forward and highlighted some key options of every model, however it isn’t an exhaustive checklist. Be sure you try their web sites for extra data.

2. ecoblvd

FSC licensed packaging
100% Compostable cellphone circumstances
6FT Drop Safety
Plastic-Free & FSC Licensed Packaging
Roundabout Recycling Program: Ship again outdated circumstances/chargers for a reduction
1% for the Planet Member

3. o my bag

FSC-certified recycled cardboard + paper packaging
Luggage created from leather-based, apple leather-based, + recycled cotton
Second possibilities assortment permits you to store pre-loved + imperfect luggage at a reduction
Kenzie bag’s leather-based is hand-woven in Kolkata

4. caraway

FSC licensed birch wooden chopping board
4-piece board set (small, medium, massive)
Storage organizer included
Mineral oil + wax end
Sustainable packaging

5. bambu

FSC licensed bamboo chopping board
Medium + massive dimension choices
Constructed utilizing a water-based, food-grade adhesive imported from Europe that comprises no formaldehyde
Hand completed with food-safe wooden oil
USDA Licensed Biobased
No lacquer coating
B company

6. brentwood home

FSC Licensed GOLS natural latex
Sustainable mattresses + yoga mats
100% GOTS licensed natural cotton and wool from New Zealand
25 yr guarantee on mattresses
Responsibly made in Los Angeles
Greenguard Gold licensed
Offers again to social and environmental initiatives

7. pukka herbs

Tea packing containers are created from FSC licensed card, printed utilizing vegetable-based inks
Natural natural teas and dietary supplements
100% compostable teabags with natural cotton string
Helps regenerative natural agriculture
1% For The Planet
Honest for Life licensed