Become a Member

Download information on FSC Membership requirements
and By-Laws

Become a Member of FSC International Click here

The Forest Stewardship Council is a membership association which is open to a wide range of organizations and individuals representing various interests. All members of FSC are members of FSC International.

By becoming a member, you show your commitment to promote responsible management of the world's forest and you get to participate in FSC decision-making processes such as the development of standards, election of the Board of directors and voting on decisions that will guide the direction of the organization.

FSC members are divided into chambers, each with equal voting power. Internationally there are three chambers (social, environmental and economic), and in Canada there is a fourth, Aboriginal Peoples chamber. Members elect a Board of Directors that is representative of these chambers. The purpose of the chamber structure is to maintain the balance of voting power between different interests.

• Aboriginal Peoples Chamber:
  This chamber is unique to Canada and includes Aboriginal organizations and individuals.
  *Research, academic, technical institutions, and individuals are eligible to become members. The FSC Board will determine their designation to a particular chamber. Government organizations are not eligible to become members. (The governing board of FSC member organizations must also be independent of government organizations.)
• Economic Chamber: Includes organizations and individuals with an interest in commercial forest products entities. (Examples: certification bodies, industry and trade associations, wholesalers, retailers, consumer associations, and consulting companies) Applicants with economic interests must demonstrate an active commitment to implementing the FSC Principles and Criteria in their operations.
• Environmental Chamber: Limited to non-profit, non-governmental organizations with a demonstrated commitment to environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable forest stewardship.
• Social Chamber: Intended for social movements that have an active interest in environmentally viable forest stewardship.

Every three years, FSC members meet in the General Assembly to propose and vote on motions to determine the direction of FSC activities in the coming years.

• December 7-9 2005, Manaus, Brazil: Click here for General Assembly website.
• November 24-26 2002, Oaxaca, Mexico

Photo: FSC General Assembly, 2005. Manaus, Brazil.