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Guide to Buying Responsibly Sourced Timber
Is that wood really sustainable? Learn more about FSC certification and how to read their labels help when you shop
There’s nothing quite like timber – it has a sense of organic warmth, softness and tactility that few other materials possess. It is also a renewable resource and can contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. But while timber is one of the most sustainable building materials, it is not always harvested from responsibly-managed forests. So how can you ensure the timber you buy is? Look for FSC certification, which demonstrates that a product uses timber sourced from responsibly managed and environmentally conscious forests.
Founded in 1993, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international, not-for-profit body that governs the certification and accreditation of forests, plantations and timbers around the world. Its goal is to promote the environmentally, socially and economically beneficial management of forests across the world. Here’s everything you need to know about the FSC and its certification system, so you can buy eco-friendly timber with confidence.
Founded in 1993, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international, not-for-profit body that governs the certification and accreditation of forests, plantations and timbers around the world. Its goal is to promote the environmentally, socially and economically beneficial management of forests across the world. Here’s everything you need to know about the FSC and its certification system, so you can buy eco-friendly timber with confidence.
“Halting the loss of forests will benefit hundreds of millions of people, including many of the world’s poorest people, whose livelihoods depend on forest goods and environmental services. It will also help combat climate change, protect habitats for 75 per cent of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity, and maintain ecosystem resilience – thereby supporting sustainable agriculture,” the report states.
In addition to deforestation, forestry management issues relate to illegal logging, human rights violations, endangered timber species, and the protection of animal habitats and ecological systems.
In addition to deforestation, forestry management issues relate to illegal logging, human rights violations, endangered timber species, and the protection of animal habitats and ecological systems.
History of FSC
In 1990, a group of timber users, traders, representatives of environmental and human-rights organisations and indigenous groups met in California. Their aim was to discuss the need for a credible and global system to identify well-managed forests as acceptable sources of forest products.
Over the next three years, the FSC, as the group came to be known, carried out intensive consultation processes in 10 countries to garner the support for developing a worldwide certification and accreditation system covering all kinds of natural forests and plantations.
The FSC held its Founding Assembly in October 1993 with 130 participants from 26 countries.
FSC works outside of state regulations and has therefore been classified by some academics as an example of a non-state, market-driven form of environmental governance, as it uses the market to drive the sustainable management of forests.
In 1990, a group of timber users, traders, representatives of environmental and human-rights organisations and indigenous groups met in California. Their aim was to discuss the need for a credible and global system to identify well-managed forests as acceptable sources of forest products.
Over the next three years, the FSC, as the group came to be known, carried out intensive consultation processes in 10 countries to garner the support for developing a worldwide certification and accreditation system covering all kinds of natural forests and plantations.
The FSC held its Founding Assembly in October 1993 with 130 participants from 26 countries.
FSC works outside of state regulations and has therefore been classified by some academics as an example of a non-state, market-driven form of environmental governance, as it uses the market to drive the sustainable management of forests.
FSC Asia Pacific
The FSC is represented by a regional office based in Hong Kong, national offices in China, Australia, Japan and Malaysia, and representatives in India, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
The Singapore Environment Council (SEC) supports FSC certification for paper products and is tightening its criteria to award the Singapore Green Label for paper products by requiring FSC certification.
“Consumers can help stop the forest destruction that leads to the haze by choosing products with the FSC label,” said FSC Asia Pacific Director Alistair Monument.
The FSC is represented by a regional office based in Hong Kong, national offices in China, Australia, Japan and Malaysia, and representatives in India, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
The Singapore Environment Council (SEC) supports FSC certification for paper products and is tightening its criteria to award the Singapore Green Label for paper products by requiring FSC certification.
“Consumers can help stop the forest destruction that leads to the haze by choosing products with the FSC label,” said FSC Asia Pacific Director Alistair Monument.
The vision of the FSC
The FSC’s vision, as quoted on its website, is that the “world’s forests meet the social, ecological and economic rights and needs of the present generation without compromising those of future generations”. It does this through its mission to “promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world’s forests”.
The FSC carries out its mission and goals through activities in six program areas – forest, chain of custody, social policy, monitoring and evaluation, quality assurance and ecosystem services – and addresses issues such as illegal logging, deforestation and global warming.
The FSC’s vision, as quoted on its website, is that the “world’s forests meet the social, ecological and economic rights and needs of the present generation without compromising those of future generations”. It does this through its mission to “promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world’s forests”.
The FSC carries out its mission and goals through activities in six program areas – forest, chain of custody, social policy, monitoring and evaluation, quality assurance and ecosystem services – and addresses issues such as illegal logging, deforestation and global warming.
FSC certification is recognised internationally as the most rigorous environmental and social standard for responsible forest management.
FSC standards ensure that environmental, social and economic needs are balanced, and that long-term forest management plans are implemented. Benefits for the local and wider communities include cleaner air and water, and mitigating the effects of climate change, while having positive effects on economic development, environmental conservation and poverty alleviation.
It also ensures no illegal logging, no human rights abuses, and no unregulated production practices take place.
FSC standards ensure that environmental, social and economic needs are balanced, and that long-term forest management plans are implemented. Benefits for the local and wider communities include cleaner air and water, and mitigating the effects of climate change, while having positive effects on economic development, environmental conservation and poverty alleviation.
It also ensures no illegal logging, no human rights abuses, and no unregulated production practices take place.
In practical terms, this means:
- Waterways are protected;
- Wildlife habitats and species are protected;
- High-conservation value forests are preserved;
- Forest management practices are monitored annually;
- Pesticide use is reduced;
- Worker safety and wellbeing is enhanced;
- The rights of indigenous peoples are respected; and
- Communities are respected and valued.
FSC certification
FSC certification demonstrates that a product uses materials that have been sourced from responsibly managed and environmentally conscious forests as per FSC standards. It indicates the approval of various products that use wood (or any other element from the forest) in their composition and manufacturing.
FSC certification standards are broken into three areas:
FSC certification demonstrates that a product uses materials that have been sourced from responsibly managed and environmentally conscious forests as per FSC standards. It indicates the approval of various products that use wood (or any other element from the forest) in their composition and manufacturing.
FSC certification standards are broken into three areas:
- Sources that supply the fibre,
- Processing and tracking of fibres, and
- Promotion of products or companies that use the wood for flooring, furniture, wallpapers and more.
Forest management certification
Forest management certification is a voluntary process for forest owners, operators or representatives to initiate. They request an independent FSC-accredited certifier to inspect the forest to determine if the management meets the FSC requirements. The certification applies to all tropical, temperate and boreal forests and to many plantations and partially replanted forests.
In November 2017, more than 198 million hectares were FSC certified in 84 countries. The tropics account for 16 per cent of total FSC-certified area.
Forest management certification is a voluntary process for forest owners, operators or representatives to initiate. They request an independent FSC-accredited certifier to inspect the forest to determine if the management meets the FSC requirements. The certification applies to all tropical, temperate and boreal forests and to many plantations and partially replanted forests.
In November 2017, more than 198 million hectares were FSC certified in 84 countries. The tropics account for 16 per cent of total FSC-certified area.
Chain-of-custody certification
Chain-of-custody certification is for organisations processing or selling forest products, or for individual objects or buildings that are totally or partially made using FSC-certified components.
Chain-of-custody certification is for organisations processing or selling forest products, or for individual objects or buildings that are totally or partially made using FSC-certified components.
FSC labelling
If a timber product is labelled with an FSC logo, this means it has come from a responsibly managed, FSC-certified forest, and guarantees that every company involved in the manufacture of the product uses wood from sustainable sources.
FSC 100%: Signifies that a product is made entirely from FSC-certified forest material.
If a timber product is labelled with an FSC logo, this means it has come from a responsibly managed, FSC-certified forest, and guarantees that every company involved in the manufacture of the product uses wood from sustainable sources.
FSC 100%: Signifies that a product is made entirely from FSC-certified forest material.
FSC Recycled: Means all the wood or paper in the product comes from reclaimed material.
FSC Mix: Signifies the wood within the product is from FSC-certified timber, recycled timber, or controlled wood. Controlled wood cannot be illegally harvested; harvested in violation of traditional and civil rights; harvested in forests where high conservation values are threatened; harvested in forests being converted to plantations or non-forest use; or harvested in forests where genetically modified trees are planted.
FSC Mix: Signifies the wood within the product is from FSC-certified timber, recycled timber, or controlled wood. Controlled wood cannot be illegally harvested; harvested in violation of traditional and civil rights; harvested in forests where high conservation values are threatened; harvested in forests being converted to plantations or non-forest use; or harvested in forests where genetically modified trees are planted.
FSC timber species
Any timber species can be FSC- certified as long as the forest management process complies with FSC’s standards and guidelines.
If a species is not certified, it means there are no forest managers meeting the standard to harvest that particular species.
While FSC certification is a cost for businesses, it is not necessarily passed on to the customer, so you shouldn’t expect to pay more.
Any timber species can be FSC- certified as long as the forest management process complies with FSC’s standards and guidelines.
If a species is not certified, it means there are no forest managers meeting the standard to harvest that particular species.
While FSC certification is a cost for businesses, it is not necessarily passed on to the customer, so you shouldn’t expect to pay more.
Find an FSC supplier or retailer
You can find FSC-certified suppliers using the database on the FSC website. Search by country, species, product type, name or number. You can also use the database to confirm that a supplier is certified.
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You can find FSC-certified suppliers using the database on the FSC website. Search by country, species, product type, name or number. You can also use the database to confirm that a supplier is certified.
TELL US
Did you find this story interesting? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
MORE
Guide to Sustainable Furniture in Singapore
How to Make Your Home a Whole Lot Greener
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Tropical deforestation emerged as a global concern in the 1980s, as environmentalists gained greater prominence with their action to protect forests. In 2016, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ State of the World’s Forests 2016, global forest area has declined by 3.1 per cent (129 million hectares) between 1990 and 2015. Although the rate of global net forest loss has slowed, deforestation is still a matter of deep concern.