For more visit: Pure Label - Mixed Sources Label - Recycled Label
The variety of FSC certified products has expanded since the trademark standards were developed in 2004, bringing with it new demands. The need for simpler guidance as well as dealing with new market needs, led to the decision by the FSC Board of Directors in 2009 to undertake a review of the trademark standards. Since then, FSC International has approved a new Trademark Standard for Certificate Holders (FSC-STD-50-001).
The trademark standards have been restructured into one document. "Requirements for use of the FSC trademarks by certificate holders" (FSC-STD-50-001) which covers requirements for on-product labeling, promotional use of the trademarks and graphical requirements.
This Standard is effective for all new certificate holders as of March 1, 2010. Exisiting certificate holders have until January 1, 2011 to comply.
Click here to view Trademark Standard FSC-STD-50-001 for Certificate Holders
Click here to view the Trademark Standard FAQ for Certificate Holders
The FSC on-product label identifies forest products that meet FSC’s environmental and social standards.
There are three types of FSC labels that can be found on FSC-certified products. These labels identify the type of wood fibre in the product, and who produced that product. As of March 1, 2010 FSC has launched a new Trademark Standard with new FSC label designs. See below for current and new labels. (Click on a label to learn more and see examples.)
CURRENT Standard (FSC-STD-40-201)
NEW Standard (FSC-STD-50-002)
This label identifies products manufactured with 100% FSC-certified virgin fibre;
This label identifies products manufactured with a combination of FSC-certified virgin fibre mixed with controlled virgin fibre and/or recycled fibre. If the product contains pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled fibre, the FSC Label may appear with a mobius loop (=recycled symbol)
This label identifies products manufactured with 100% recycled material, at least 85% of which is post-consumer recycled, and the remainder must be pre-consumer recycled. The % placed within the mobius loop is the % of both pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled fibre.
Only companies that are FSC Chain of Custody certified are allowed to place the FSC label on a certified product. Any company within the supply chain that manufactures, processes, transforms or takes legal ownership of FSC fibre needs to be FSC Chain of Custody (COC) certified in order to place an FSC label on a product or to make or pass on an FSC claim. All FSC COC certifications are conducted by independent third party certifiers and are valid for five years, with an annual audit taking place every year for the duration. To verify if a company is FSC-certified, search the FSC database, www.fsc-info.org
The FSC label can only be used on FSC-certified products, made with a combination of virgin fibre, recycled, and/or controlled wood. Certified companies must receive approval from their Certification Body prior to placing the FSC label on products.
Here are a few examples of FSC on-product label use:
Click here for more examples.
Upon certification, companies will receive a user name and password to a webpage that contains high-resolution label graphics in standard colours and formats. (Contact your FSC Certifier for login information)
Certified companies must ge approval for the use of the FSC On-product label by sending an electronic copy of the label design to their FSC Certifier.
Click here for more information on How to select FSC on-product labels.
Document Name
Date Issued
PDF
FSC-STD-40-201 FSC on-product labeling requirements
2004
Download
FSC-TMK-50-201 FSC Requirements for the Promotional use of the FSC trademarks by FSC certificate holders and non-certified commercial organizations
2007
FSC-ADV-40-012 Printers - CoC and Labeling Specifics
2006
MCU-ADV-80-002 Trademark use by investment companies
2003
FSC-DIS-40-001 Recycling labeling options discussion paper
FSC Labeling: How to Choose FSC Labels
2009
Graphical Requirements for FSC Label Use
2008
FSC Trademark: Certified Companies
FSC Trademark: Non-Certified Companies
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Find FSC-certified Paper
Find FSC-certified Printers
Find FSC-certified Wood Products
Look up a certification code
FSC Label & Logo Use
Controlled Wood Information Matrix
Donate - Char. Reg. #870168242 RR0001
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