What is it?
Certification scheme issued or operated by FSC International.
Regulatory recognitionLabel types matter for claims ('Mix' ≠ 100% certified)
Standards & schemes · Certification scheme
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
FSC International
Which version is current?
Profile version 2. Official information last verified 22 August 2026.
Who and what does it cover?
- Geography
- Global
- Sectors
- Forest products
- Scope
- Forest / product
What does it require?
Forest-management and chain-of-custody certification with three label types; the reference standard for timber and paper sourcing claims.
What it does not demonstrateThe scheme does not by itself prove that a particular product, site or organisation holds a current certificate; its scope and validity must be checked.
How is conformity assessed?
Third-party forest + CoC audits
Grievance mechanismFSC dispute resolution
Who makes the decision?
FSC International
Assurance arrangementThird-party forest + CoC audits
Chain of custody
FSC 100% / Mix / Recycled CoC models
ISEAL membershipISEAL member
Conditional relationships
Claims it may support
A relationship does not mean that the standard proves or validates every use of a claim.
Sustainably sourced timberMay support · Requires a current valid certificate within the scheme's scope; certification supports but does not by itself prove the claim — wording must reflect certified scope and assurance level.see standards.last_verifiedRainforest-friendlyMay support · Requires a current valid certificate within the scheme's scope; certification supports but does not by itself prove the claim — wording must reflect certified scope and assurance level.see standards.last_verified
Legal context
Laws referencing it
No reviewed law references are published.
Dictionary
Dictionary concepts
Version record
What has changed
- Version 2Initial profile published after recorded site-owner/editor review of the complete standards batch.
- Version 1Initial private editorial draft imported from the reviewed standards handover.
Last verified 22 August 2026. This neutral profile is informational and does not recommend, rank or endorse the standard.