Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
“FSC takes care of the world’s forests for future generations.”
As the original pioneers of forest certification, the Forest Stewardship CouncilTM (FSCTM) has over 25 years of experience in setting the gold standard for responsible forest management. The FSC has a long history (23 years) of continued support in South Africa, from forest management companies to those at the end of the value chain.
FSC’s unique democratic standard-setting process enables forest owners, communities and businesses to jointly make decisions on issues impacting forests today and in the future. This ensures inclusivity in finding the best solutions. To make sure no one viewpoint dominates the others, our membership has three chambers – environmental, social and economic – that have equal rights in decision-making.
Through our global standard, unrivalled stakeholder engagement and support from businesses and NGOs, we are the world’s most credible solution for responsible forest management; trusted to secure better outcomes for markets, communities and forests for today and future generations.
FSC labelling tells customers that the materials used originate from sustainable and legal sources.
Zero deforestation – Although trees are harvested, there is no net loss of forest over time
Environmental protection – FSC certification requires biodiversity to be maintained, and high conservation value areas – including old growth forests – to be protected
Indigenous and Traditional Peoples’ rights respected – FSC certification requires forest inhabitants to be consulted and engaged, and cultural rights to be maintained.
Fair wage and work environment for workers – FSC certification requires training, safety and decent wages for all worker
ENSURING BETTER OUTCOMES FOR FORESTS AND MARKETS
Organizations of different sizes can gain FSC certification, including groups of smaller businesses that can operate under one certificate. The different types of certification include Forest Management Certification, Chain of Custody Certification, FSC Trademark Promotional License Certification and Project Certification.
An FSC certified forest provides the assurance that all these factors have been considered. This assurance extends to all timber based materials coming from this forest. FSC is not only good for forest management, it is also good for businesses using materials from FSC certified forests.
Various links:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FSCSouthernAfrica/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/fsc-south-africa/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/fsc_southern_africa/
Twitter: twitter.com/FscSouth
FSC Africa: africa.fsc.org
FSC Worldwide: www.fsc.org
Associations and Organisations; Forest Certification Services;
