Types of certification
FSC issues three different types of certificates: Forest Management, Chain of Custody and Controlled Wood. The different types of certificates relate to different stages of production and subsequent progress of forest products through the value chain. Verification against all FSC requirements ensures that materials and products with the FSC label are from responsibly managed forests.
Types of FSC Certification
-
Forest Management (FM) Certification
Forest owners and managers who wish to show their logging operations are socially beneficial, carried out in a satisfactory environmental perspective and economically viable can apply for a certificate of Forest Management (FM). The FM certificate is awarded to forest managers or owners whose management practices meet the requirements of the FSC Principles and Criteria.
There are special options for smallholders, low intensity and community forest operations.
-
Chain of Custody Certification (CoC)
Chain of Custody certification ensures that all branded products through the chain are from certified forests. It verifies the rigorous monitoring of traceability of FSC certified wood, from the certified forest to the finished product. This certificate is designed for companies that manufacture, process or trade forest products (timber products or non timber forest products) and want to show their customers that they use raw materials produced in a responsible manner. This certificate enables companies to strengthen their procurement policy while satisfying demand (public or private) according to FSC criteria.
-
Controlled Wood
Controlled Wood is designed to allow organizations to avoid the categories of wood considered unacceptable. FSC Controlled Wood can only be mixed with FSC certified wood in labelled FSC Mix products.