The FSC Standard
What is the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) standard ?
This worldwide standard was adopted in 1993 following the Earth Summit (June 1992) by:
- companies in the timber industry (forestry, distribution groups);
- • social movements (unions, local communities, organizations representing indigenous people ...)
- • environmental organizations.
These organizations and individuals have noticed the lack of international actions to protect forests taking the important deforestation into account, especially in tropical areas.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an eco-label, which ensures that the production of a wood-based product complied with the procedures supposed to guarantee the sustainable management of forests.
The goal of FSC is to constructively promote initiatives on forest management both socially, environmentally and by being economically responsible, by making them visible and credible with a label affixed to the products from certified forests. The FSC logo indicates to the public that the product matches clear specifications, is transparent and verified by independent certifiers.
Below some basic principles:
- Forest management shall respect all applicable laws in the country and all international treaties and agreements in which the country is a signatory. It will also comply with all FSC Principles and Criteria.
- Forest management operations shall maintain or enhance the social and long-term economic well-being of forest workers and local communities.
- Forest management shall conserve biological diversity and the values ââassociated with it, water resources, soils and landscapes and unique and fragile ecosystems in a manner that ensures the conservation of ecological functions and the integrity of the forest.
- Respect the diversity of forest products (lumber, pulp and paper, etc.).
- Cut the forest at a rate that allows its regeneration
- Avoid using pesticides
- Training and supervising employees, working with tools that can be life-threatening without proper training.
