FSC Forest Certification/Wood Certification

I. Core Objectives of FSC Certification

II. Certification Types

1. Forest Management Certification (FM)
   Targets forest management units (e.g., forest farms, forestry companies), auditing whether their forest operations comply with FSC sustainability standards, including:

• Ecological protection: maintaining biodiversity, soil and water resource security, and prohibiting excessive logging;

• Social equity: respecting the land rights and usage rights of local communities and Indigenous peoples, and ensuring worker safety and fair treatment;

• Economic sustainability: ensuring the long-term economic viability of forest operations and avoiding short-term extractive exploitation.

2. Chain of Custody Certification (CoC)
   Targets enterprises in timber processing, trading, and manufacturing (e.g., sawmills, furniture factories, retailers), tracking products from “sustainably managed forests” to the end consumer throughout the entire process, ensuring:

• Raw materials originate from FSC-certified forests;

• Timber from different sources (certified / non-certified) is not commingled during processing and storage;

• The final product is traceable back to a compliant source.

III. Core Standards of FSC Certification

• Compliance with laws and international treaties;

• Maintaining forest ecological functions (e.g., protecting endangered species habitats);

• Safeguarding the participation rights and interests of local communities and Indigenous peoples;

• Prohibiting forced labor and providing a safe working environment;

• Establishing long-term forest management planning and monitoring systems.

IV. Certification Process

1. Self-assessment: Enterprises conduct self-checks against FSC standards and prepare relevant documents (e.g., forest management plans, employment records);

2. Selecting a certification body: Must be an FSC-accredited third-party body (e.g., SGS, Intertek);

3. On-site audit: The certification body conducts on-site inspections (forest management or chain of custody), assessing compliance with standards;

4. Corrective actions and certification: If non-conformities exist, the enterprise must complete corrective actions within a specified period; upon approval, an FSC certificate is issued (valid for 5 years, with annual surveillance audits required).

V. Significance of Certification

• For enterprises: Enhances product competitiveness, enables entry into international markets requiring FSC certification (e.g., EU, US), and builds a responsible brand image;

• For the environment: Reduces illegal logging and protects forest ecosystems and biodiversity;

• For society: Safeguards forestry workers' rights and protects the forest usage rights and economic interests of local communities, particularly Indigenous peoples.

VI. Scope of Application