What is FSC certification?
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international organization that accredits third-party certifiers such as Rainforest Alliance. Forest management operations that meet the FSC principles and criteria for environmental, economic, and social standards are awarded the certification seal. Operations that purchase and sell FSC-certified products can achieve certification when they meet Chain-of-Custody standards.

What is the Rainforest Alliances’ relationship to FSC?
FSC accredits independent, “third-party” certification bodies or “certifiers” that assess companies and landowners according to FSC policies, principles and criteria. FSC audits its certifiers on an annual basis to ensure that policies are being followed and public reports on these audits are available through www.fscoax.org.

How does it work?
After a forest operation has been certified and is an active member in the program, they're given an approved identification number that is used to mark and authenticate the material. When material is then sold to “Chain of Custody” member companies, usually manufacturers, they also have to meet certain requirements to ensure product integrity is maintained through to the end user. The end user is thereby able to make the choice for a product that is clearly identified and marketed as having been produced from wood that came from a well-managed forest.

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