Forest Certification

FSC certification involves the evaluation of a forest by an independent third-party Certifier against FSC's Forest Management standards. If the forest meets FSC's standards, it is issued an FSC certificate and may sell FSC products. FSC Chain of Custody (CoC) certification is the subsequent process of tracking FSC products through the supply chain. The end results is a product that carries the FSC Label.

Impact on Forests & Communities 

Forest Management (FM) certification guarantees that our forests are healthy and our communities are strong.

Protection of High Conservation Value Forests	Rights of Aboriginal Peoples and local communities are respected	Waterways are protected	Wildlife habitat & species are protected

Who can apply for FM certification

FM certification is applicable to all forest types and ownership structures (e.g. industrial or private forest owners, forest license holders, community forests, government-managed forests). FM certification may be granted to a single applicant, or to numerous applicants under a group certificate. Small forests and forests that are managed at a low intensity may be eligible under FSC's Small and Low Intensity Managed Forests (SLIMFs) program. 

Tracking products from forest to shelf

FSC certification tracks products from the forest to the shelf. All FSC products are verified by third-party Certifiers to meet FSC's rigorous requirements through the FSC Forest Management (FM) and Chain of Custody (CoC) certification systems. Every FSC-certified company receives a unique FSC code, which is found on FSC products and can be tracked through the supply chain to the manufacturer, distributor or supplier of the product. Track your FSC code at www.info-fsc.org

Forest Management Standards

All FSC FM Standards are based on FSC's International Principles & Criteria. At a regional level indicators and verifiers are further developed in order to reflect the unique environmental and social requirements of the region. Regional FM Standards are accredited by FSC International. In Canada, there are four regional forest management Standards, National Boreal Standard, Maritimes Standard, BC Standard, Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Standard (draft
submitted for accreditation).