The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international, not-for-profit membership-based organization whose mission is to promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world's forests.
Decision making within FSC takes place by members (view a list of members) around the world. International members are divided into three chambers (Economic, Environmental, Social), with an additional, Aboriginal Peoples chamber in Canada. Each chamber has equal voting rights, which maintains the balance of voting power between different interests. ↓
The FSC Board of Directors is elected by members of FSC and is organized into chambers, with each chamber having an equal vote in all decision making. ↓
FSC Associación Civil is the official FSC parent organization which is located in Mexico, where FSC was founded. FSC A.C. consists of two entities: FSC International Centre and the Accreditation Services International.
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Accreditation Services International (ASI) is the independent accreditation body which accredits third-party Certifiers to conduct FSC Forest Management and/or Chain of Custody certification audits. ASI also conducts audits of the third-party Certifiers to ensure that they are providing competent and consistent certification services, in accordance to FSC Standards.
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FSC International Centre is the international operation of FSC and is responsible for managing and directing the development of international standards (e.g. Principles & Criteria, Chain of Custody, Controlled Wood, Trademark), and approving regional Forest Management standards.
Certifiers FSC certification takes place through independent third-party assessments of applicant companies by FSC Certifiers.
FSC National Offices oversee the development of regional forest management standards; offer resources and training around FSC certification; and raise awareness of FSC certification and the benefits of using FSC-certified products. FSC National Offices are governed by a Board of Directors, elected by FSC members resident in the relevant country,a nd structured similarly to the FSC International Board of Directors.
Certificate Holders have been audited by third-party FSC Certifiers to meet FSC's standards, and are eligible to sell products with an FSC claim.
Consumer's can identify FSC-certified products by looking for the FSC label on products. By buying FSC products consumers are supporting healthy forests and strong communities. For all, forever.
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