FSC CERTIFICATION: FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL

What is FSC Certification?

What Is FSC-Chain of Custody?

Why Is FSC Certification Necessary for India?

Benefits of FSC Certification

Requirements of FSC Certification

FSC Logo

FSC Certification Process

Why Ascent WORLD?

FAQ

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a non-profit organization that works independently to provide forest management, support appropriate environmental sustainability, bring social benefits, and allow economically feasible management of forests across the globe.

The ‘tick tree logo’ has become a familiar and reassurance brand logo and mark to users and consumers of timber/wood and wood-based products eg paper, medicines, etc worldwide.

Environmental Sustainability is the part that can be achievable with FSC Certification. It can be attained by managing forest-based resources properly. Organizations that have applied for FSC Certification can now align with the terms of environmental management to attain sustainability.

FSC Certification in India is creating good ideas and opportunities among SMEs. As India is a growing economy, there are many companies that are trying to pave their way to excellence. With FSC Certification, both domestic manufacturers and exporters can fulfill the demands for various FSC-Certified goods and businesses like furniture, paper, wood, timber, and much more.

FSC Certification has various schemes available for its clients such as FSC Certification for Forests, FSC Certification for CoC-based products, FSC for Wood, FSC for Paper, and much more.

In India, FSC-Certified Paper traders are limited. The role of FSC in India is to promote education and introduce sustainable environmental-friendly practices. for FSC-Certified Wood and Plywood in India, the challenge for timber remains a bit easy under FSC FM (Forest Management). As many manufacturers rely on imported timber, the demand for FSC-Certified timber in India is also rising.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) sets out various standards for responsible forest stewardship. The policies help in unifing different stakeholders around common guidelines for forestry and forest-based products those are:

• environmentally appropriate
• socially beneficial
• economically viable.

The open and transparent standards include safeguarding to ensure that stakeholders throughout this forest supply chain comply with the principles that in turn protect healthy and resilient forests for all, forever.

The FSC’s objective is to “invariably promote environmentally sustainable, appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests and forest based products”.  FSC has developed these 5 goals for itself:

• Advancing responsible forest management.
• Ensuring equitable access to all communities and stakeholders of the benefits of FSC Management systems not limited to only the Policies, procedures, Guidelines, and Standards.
• Ensure integrity, truthfulness, (including control from non-FSC Products dealing), credibility, and transparency of the implemented FSC system.
• Create business values for various products from FSC-certified forests including Controlled wood and Recycled products.
• Strengthen the globally responsible CoC system and Managed system.

These goals are promoted, managed, and developed through the following 6 areas: forests, chain of custody, social policy, monitoring and evaluation, quality assurance, and ecosystem services.

FSC’s standards are run by some principles which act as the foundation of the various developed forestry standard:

• Complying with all applicable laws- including though not limited to Forestry Laws Labor Laws and international treaties;
• Maintaining and improving the overall social and economic well-being of workers, local communities, and all related stakeholders and personnel;
• Upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples, where relevant;
• Managing the various products and services in a way that maintains or improves their long-term economic viability, social benefits, and environmental benefits;
• Maintaining, conserving, and/or restoring the ecosystem and environmental values of managed/controlled forests and its products/outputs; and also avoiding, repairing, or mitigating, as relevant-  negative environmental aspects and impacts;
• Establishing a detailed management system and a plan that outlines the organization’s economic, environmental,   and social policies and objectives;
• Demonstrating synchronized progress towards meeting objectives;
• Maintaining and/or improving high conservation values of all related stakeholders;
• Ensuring that all management system activities comply with FSC principles, standard requirements, and criteria.

Please see the list of Policies, Procedures, Guidelines, and Standards as developed by FSC, and is required to be followed by relevant organizations trying to comply with FSC sustainable requirements and get FSC certified.

To adhere to FSC Certification for CoC-based products, a business should assess FSC-CoC Standards and fulfill certain requirements such as chain of custody management, material tracking, documentation, and labeling of products.

The appointed certification body will verify different procedures, documentation, and the following of materials to ensure compliance with FSC Requirements.

This is the sign that assured product’s traceability for manufacturers of FSC Certified Paper and all relevant businesses. FSC CoC is the source to trace every stage such as;

• Processing of wooden resources.
• Manufacturing of products.
• Transportation of the FSC Wood.
• Distribution of material and assets.

FSC Certification becomes a necessary option in India. Businesses and industries that deal with forests or their originated products should adhere to this standard to enable better forest management, and environmental sustainability, and to raise economic benefits.

In India, FSC Standard is the best option for manufacturers of furniture, paper mills, timber owners, and all relevant businesses. The standard teaches organizations about the proper management of forest resources including environmental sustainability.

Consumers are becoming increasingly sustainability & environmentally aware of their surroundings and are looking for suppliers who can give evidence that they are actively dealing in FSC Certified products and that their packaging demonstrate the FSC label.

Use of the logo is strictly regulated by FSC and ASI (the accreditation body) to avoid misleading messages. So, when someone sees the FSC logo on a product he/she can be sure that the world’s forests have been taken care of while manufacturing and procuring this particular item. Also, non-timber forest products such as latex, bamboo, paper and paper-based products like packaging items etc, also are certified. Currently 280 million hectares of forest are certified. That’s an increase of almost 55% since 2012. And there are over 45,000 FSC CoC certification companies, nearly 2-times the 2012 number. These are commendable news for the environment as well as showing the increase of such a worthwhile initiative.

• Sustainable Forest Management

FSC Certification assures the adhered organization to show different types of environmental responsibilities. These are beneficial for social development. It includes activities such as ecosystem conservation, biodiversity protection, and protection for local communities.

• Better Conservation of Forests

Responsible logging practices originated from FSC Certification help manufacturers and suppliers manage forest resources by using forest resources appropriately.

• Achieve Social Benefits

FSC Certification leads your business to make a stand with the forest workers and local communities. Also, relying upon the legislation of the local governments brings favor to collecting FSC Certified Wood.

• Raise Customer Confidence

FSC Certification is the best source for your furniture or paper business to establish higher customer trust. The implementation of certified practices can help you to follow healthy and reliable ecological obligations.

• Bring Market Reputation

By going with FSC Compliance, an organization can fulfill various marketing standards. Also, it can open various market opportunities to expand its business. FSC Certification helps you to promote a healthy and sustainable Forest Management System within your business without any disruption.

FSC says that forests managed to the various Forest and CoC standards offer benefits to both local and global / Intra and inter-country communities. These are bound to also include cleaner air, land, and water, including the flora/fauna, and hence contribution to mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.

FSC addresses issues such as illegal forestry, logging, deforestation, and global warming including positive impacts on economic development, environmental conservation, poverty alleviation, and social and political empowerment. Many Governments provide grants and subsidies to FSC Certified companies and products.

Using the FSC logo/trademarks signify that the item/product comes from sustainable and responsible sources that are environmentally okayed, socially beneficial, and economically viable. The FSC label can be used on a range of wood/timber and non-timber products, from paper and furniture to medicine (eg Ayurvedic) and jewelry, toys, and rubber products, and aims to give consumers and end-users the option of supporting responsible forestry.

The organization must document and implement a detailed management system that ensures the following:

1. FSC Manual has been documented;
2. The forest-based materials you use in part, or all of your production are FSC certified. This includes reclaimed materials.
3. FSC-certified material is identified and tracked during the manufacturing and distribution processes.
4. All documents and records relating to FSC-certified product production, purchase, and sales are kept and kept up-to-date.
5. The Organization also must also meet FSC’s core labour requirements, including, though not limited to:
6. no child or forced labour;
7. no discrimination in employment and occupation;
8. freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.

• Legal Compliance

Organizations should follow the necessary regulations and laws applicable under FSC Certification. These rules and obligations may vary from one country to another depending on the legislation of the local and national Governments.

• Forest Management Plan

A well-developed Forest Management Plan is necessary to act accordingly. A business should rely on the mentioned objectives and strategies to manage forest resources sustainably. This plan should satisfy all terms and conditions of FSC Certification to protect ecological balance.

• Protection of High Conservation Values (HCVs)

These areas are important to protect under the FSC Certification

Rare or endangered species habitats

Areas of cultural significance

Critical water resources.

• Respect for Indigenous Peoples’ Rights

FSC Certification prioritizes the rights of local communities. So, a manufacturer should conduct every practice under the rights and interests that are not hurting the ecological or social sentiments.

• FSC Core Labor Requirements
  • Employers should know all workers under the age of 15.
  • No person under the age of 18 shall be allowed to do heavy or hazardous work without any approval or training.
  • An organization should avoid the following practices at its manufacturing sites such as:
  • Physical and sexual violence
  • Bonded labor
  • Withholding of wages /including payment of employment fees and
  • Or payment of deposit to commence employment
  • Restriction of mobility/movement
  • Retention of passport and identity documents
  • Threats of denunciation to the authorities.
  • Give freedom to your working personnel
  • Allow the implementation of collective bargaining agreements.
  • Avoid discrimination and punishment of workers.
• Training of the Workforce

Organizations in India that follow FSC Certification should allow proper training for their workforce. Also, the management should be aware of the facts that are relevant to FSC Standards. Educating your working personnel helps you to achieve ecological balance in better ways.

• Monitoring and Reporting

Regular monitoring is necessary for the sake of the conservation of biodiversity. An organization should follow the

• Continuous Improvement

It is necessary to address identified weaknesses or non-compliance for a business to bring continuous improvement to your business. That’s why your business needs the obligations of FSC Certification in India.