System Integrity
FSC requires forest and supply chain operations to be audited according to strict, global standards, some of which are adapted to suit the national context. The FSC standards require transparent management plans that place strict limits on deforestation and protect forest communities’ rights. Independent, third-party certification bodies grant certifications based on the FSC standards. FSC is the only forest certification system with an integrated assurance programme that systematically verifies its certification bodies
FSC has the most rigorous standards for sustainable forestry
FSC is the only forest certification system that makes comprehensive summaries of evaluation reports, with relevant findings from the forest management audits, publicly available. FSC is the only forest certification system that is code-compliant with ISEAL Alliance, the global association for social and environmental standards. Studies consistently show the rigour of FSC outstrips that of other forest certification schemes.
Ensuring integrity from forest to consumer
Certification of forests and forest products is only valuable if it can be trusted. That’s why we’re committed to an open, transparent process for protecting the integrity of the FSC certification system. Our policies and procedures for safeguarding integrity are concentrated in three key areas.
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Unacceptable practices
A unique feature of FSC is our Policy for Association. Under this policy, any organization connected with FSC must not engage in unacceptable practices, including:
- Practices that lead to permanent deforestation
- Destruction of high conservation value areas and species
- Illegal logging
- Human and traditional rights violations
- Workers’ rights violations
- Use of genetically modified organisms
This policy applies not only to our certificate holders but also to other organizations within their corporate group. It covers destructive practices that take place anywhere, even in forests that aren’t FSC certified.
See how new earth observation technology is helping FSC and its collaborators monitor forest activity.
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Supply chain integrity
Businesses, consumers, and other organizations worldwide depend on the integrity of the FSC label. We lead initiatives around the globe to identify, eliminate, and prevent inaccurate and false claims made anywhere in the supply chain.
We do this through:
- Independence and impartiality: Transparency is the foundation of FSC’s certification system. That’s why the independent certification bodies that provide and manage FSC’s forest management and chain of custody certificates have to be accredited by Assurance Services International (ASI), an independent third party.
Additionally, FSC is the only global forest certification system with an integrated accreditation programme that systematically checks its certification bodies. These certification bodies are accountable to strict guidelines to ensure their decisions are made impartially without regard to commercial, financial, or other pressures.
- Integrity investigations: FSC works closely with ASI and certification bodies on investigations into high-risk supply chains of FSC-certified products. Through this process, FSC verifies that any claims made by certificate holders are accurate and match claims of their trading partners.
We’re pioneering new ways of using technology to verify claims made throughout the supply chain, including blockchain and wood identification techniques.
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Trademark protection
Once a company receives certification, they are permitted to use the FSC trademark. There are three ways in which FSC protects its trademark:
- If a non-certificate holder is found to be using the FSC trademark, then a legal case of infringement may be initiated.
- If a certificate holder inadvertently uses the wrong trademark, then FSC makes a request for correcting this inaccurate use.
- If a certificate holder uses the FSC trademark on a product that is not FSC-certified, then an investigation of false claim is initiated.
How we manage and investigate allegations of destructive activities
We’re committed to addressing activities that violate our core values. We follow a rigorous process to manage and investigate allegations pertaining to our Policy for Association
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01
An allegation is identified by stakeholders or proactively by FSC
The allegation could be raised through ongoing proactive assessments made by FSC or by a complaint submitted by variety of stakeholders, including civil society organizations, concerned citizens, and others. FSC aims at further scaling up active identification of alleged violations and addressing them proactively.
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02
FSC screens the allegation
Once FSC determines that the allegation is supported by adequate evidence, a Policy for Association case is opened. The case is assessed to determine the best way to move forward. This could include bringing concerned parties together to find a resolution, launching an investigation, or moving directly to a decision.
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03
An investigation is conducted
We assign an independent investigation team made up of experts in the area of the alleged offense. We take investigations very seriously and ensure they are conducted thoroughly and fairly.
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04
A decision is made
A decision is made by the FSC Policy for Association Decision Panel based on the final report by the investigation team. Any decisions on disassociation are also reviewed by the FSC International Board of Directors.
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05
The outcome is finalized
Organizations involved in unacceptable activities have their certificates terminated and are excluded from participation in the FSC system.
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