FSC Certifications: What Are They + Are They Sustainable?

Last Updated on October 17, 2024

By now, you’ve probably seen Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certifications on some of your products. But what exactly does it mean? And how does it correlate with sustainability?

Paper products are one of the most common FSC certified items. But many other items can be FSC certified, such as wooden furniture, decking, and packaging.

FSC Certifications: What Are They + Are They Sustainable?

Several of the links in the blog post below are affiliate links. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.

The FSC certification essentially means the product certified came from responsibly managed forests. This is important, considering the alarming scale of deforestation happening on our planet.

Deforestation and forest degradation is the second leading cause of carbon pollution, causing 20% of total greenhouse gas emissions.

A staggering 13.4 million acres of Brazil’s Amazon have burned through August 2024 alone, an area larger than Costa Rica.

And it’s not just the Amazon being affected: Forests right here in the US are feeling the effects of climate change too.

Maine’s forests are a vital part of the state’s identity and economy. But as the climate changes, and pressures on natural resources increase, how we manage these forests will become even more critical.

Climate change is already affecting Maine’s forests with shifting temperatures, changing perception patterns, new pest pressures and invasive species. Sustainable forestry practices are essential for adapting to these changes, while preserving the forest’s ecological and economic value.

That’s why it’s vital to protect forests. There are several ways we can do this, like choosing to eat less beef (cattle ranching is the number one cause of deforestation in the Amazon), recycling paper properly, supporting native tree planting efforts, and buying FSC certified materials.

Here’s everything you need to know about FSC certifications and why they matter.

what is fsc certified?

FSC certified stands for Forest Stewardship Council, which is one the most recognized certifications globally. The FSC certifies forests to ensure their environments are managed in a way that protects biodiversity, water resources, and the rights of indigenous people.

FSC certified forests must meet the highest environmental and social standards. But what exactly are FSC standards?

As listed on their website, FSC requires any managers of certified forests to:

Comply with all applicable laws

Maintain or improve the social and economic well-being of workers

Uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples

Maintain or improve the social and economic well-being of local communities

Manage their products and services in a way that maintains or improves their long-term economic viability, social benefits, and environmental benefits

Maintain, conserve, and/or restore the ecosystem services and environmental values of managed forests; and also avoid, repair, or mitigate negative environmental impacts

Establish a management plan that outlines their economic, environmental, and social policies and objectives

Demonstrate progress toward meeting these objectives

Maintain or improve high conservation values;

Ensure that all management activities comply with FSC principles and criteria.

Complete descriptions of these principles and the criteria that determine whether the principles are being followed can be found here.

However, it’s important to note that for FSC, it’s not just about meeting standards: It’s about doing what’s right for the forest, and the community.

what are the different fsc certificates?

There are three different FSC certifications available: Forest Management, Chain of Custody, and Controlled Wood. In all types of certifications, independent FSC-Accredited Certification Bodies verify that all FSC-certified forests conform to the requirements contained within the FSC forest management standard. This third-party verification is crucial to the integrity of the FSC system.

Here’s a little more about each certification.

forest management certification

Think of this as the “good forestry practice” stamp. It means that forests are managed in a way that’s environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable.

chain of custody certification

This one’s all about the journey. It tracks the wood from the certified forest, through every step of the supply chain, to the final product, ensuring that the product really comes from a responsibly managed forest.

controlled wood

This is for those who want to mix certified and non-certified wood, but still want to ensure that the non-certified wood is from low-risk sources. It’s like a quality control measure to keep out the bad stuff like illegally harvested wood.

what do fsc labels mean?

If you’re a consumer, chances are you’ve noticed a little FSC label on your products before. But there are three different kinds. Here’s what each of them mean.

FSC 100%: This means all the materials used come from responsibly managed, FSC-certified forests.

FSC recycled: The means the product is made from 100% recycled materials, which reduces the pressure to harvest more trees and conserves precious forest resources.

FSC mixed: This means the product is made from a mix of materials from FSC-certified forests, recycled materials, and/or FSC-controlled wood. While controlled wood doesn’t come from FSC-certified forests, it mitigates the risk of the material originating from unacceptable sources.

What are fsc requirements?

There are varying requirements to earn FSC certification, depending on which kind of certification you’re aiming for. Here’s a snapshot of what each certification requires.

Forest Management Certification: Forest operations must adhere to ten principles that cover a broad range of issues, including maintaining high conservation values, community relations, workers’ rights, and monitoring environmental and social impacts.

Chain of Custody Certification: This certification tracks the wood from the certified forest through every step of the supply chain to the final product. It ensures that the product really comes from a responsibly managed forest.

Controlled Wood: This certification ensures that non-certified wood comes from low-risk sources and is free from illegal harvesting, genetically modified organisms, and violation of traditional and human rights.

Each certification type has its own set of detailed standards and criteria that must be met, and certification is conducted by independent, third-party certifying bodies.

what products are fsc certified?

Thankfully, there are several products that have the FSC certification.

Some types of products that can be FSC certified include:

Paper products, packaging, tissue, and coffee cups

Sports equipment like skis and wetsuits

Furniture and home décor

Here is a full list of FSC certified products from companies small and large in all kinds of categories, such as fashion, furniture, beauty, and stationary.

gzw approved fsc certified products

There are thousands of FSC certified products to choose from, but here are a few from my favorite brands. These brands go above and beyond being just FSC certified, but also utilize sustainable materials, mindful packaging, and give back.

I’ve made sure to highlight which products in their supply chain are FSC certified, or if just their packaging is. I’ve gone ahead and highlighted some key features of each brand, but it isn’t an exhaustive list. Be sure to check out their websites for more information.

2. ecoblvd

FSC certified packaging
100% Compostable phone cases
6FT Drop Protection
Plastic-Free & FSC Certified Packaging
Roundabout Recycling Program: Send back old cases/chargers for a discount
1% for the Planet Member

3. o my bag

FSC-certified recycled cardboard + paper packaging
Bags made from leather, apple leather, + recycled cotton
Second chances collection allows you to shop pre-loved + imperfect bags at a discount
Kenzie bag’s leather is hand-woven in Kolkata

4. caraway

FSC certified birch wood cutting board
4-piece board set (small, medium, large)
Storage organizer included
Mineral oil + wax finish
Sustainable packaging

5. bambu

FSC certified bamboo cutting board
Medium + large size options
Constructed using a water-based, food-grade adhesive imported from Europe that contains no formaldehyde
Hand finished with food-safe wood oil
USDA Certified Biobased
No lacquer coating
B corporation