🔎 ZOOM ON // FSC ®, a label for sustainable forest management

Overview of the sector

Forests cover over 30% of the earth's surface, playing a vital role in regulating the climate, preserving biodiversity and supporting local communities. Sustainable forest management is crucial to preserving the environment. Faced with this challenge, certification based on demanding social, economic and environmental criteria has become an essential tool for promoting responsible and sustainable practices.

What is the FSC label?

FSC ® (Forest Stewardship Council) is an international organization that aims to guarantee sustainable forest management - meeting human needs while ensuring the renewal of the forest to preserve it for future generations - and traceability of materials from certified forests.

In a few words, an FSC-certified forest guarantees :

1. Respect for workers' rights and working conditions

2. The social and economic well-being of local communities

3. Preservation of the ecological functions of the forest

4. Plan, implement and monitor sustainable management practices

This certification system was created in 1993, following the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. Businesses, environmentalists and non-environmental organizations joined forces to found the Forest Stewardship Council ®.

The FSC Chain of Custody: Three claims

There are three FSC labels, each with a different logo depending on the composition of the finished product

1. FSC 100%: Products made exclusively from materials sourced from FSC-certified forests.

2. FSC Recycled: Products made from recycled materials.

3. FSC Mixed: Products composed of materials from FSC-certified forests and other controlled sources.

FSC ® KEY FIGURES

• In 30 years, over 160 million hectares of boreal, temperate and tropical forests have been FSC ® certified!

• FSC ® forest management certificates are issued in 89 countries worldwide.

• More than 58,000 certificates issued worldwide: forest operators, manufacturers and distributors who, thanks to FSC certification, ensure traceability.

• Ecocert carries out around 380 FSC ® audits a year in ten countries (Europe, Mexico, South Korea, China and Brazil), including 35 in Forest Management.

🌍 Ecocert has certified FSC ® projects in France (34,490 ha to date) and internationally (222,460 ha):

France :

1. Office National des Forêts: 13 955 hectares of state forests certified FSC ®.

2. CFBL Coopérative Forestière: 7 182 hectares of FSC ® certified forests

International :

1. Switzerland : 42 106 hectares FSC ® (Wald St. Gallen und Liechtenstein)

2. Germany : 140 501, hectares FSC ® (e.g. SaarForst Landesbetrieb : 39 523 ha)

3. Luxembourg : 27 368 hectares FSC ®

4. Belgium : 12 483 hectares FSC ®

Today, 35 projects are FSC ® certified by Ecocert.

Find out more about FSC certification by Ecocert

Updating and evolution of the FSC label

The FSC standard is updated every five years to reflect industry best practices and consumer needs. These regular revisions ensure that FSC-certified forest management practices remain at the forefront of sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Why get FSC certification from Ecocert?

Ecocert is a leading international certification body of sustainable practices, operating in the world's main forest zones: Europe, Americas and Asia. As a recognized certification body, Ecocert carries out around 380 FSC audits a year, covering countries such as Mexico, South Korea, China, Brazil and several European countries. This network of auditors in France and abroad is expert in its field, and promotes proximity to our customers.

Find out more about Ecocert's certification process