Forests are the planet’s second largest storer of carbon. However, almost 30 million acres are lost each year due to deforestation which is responsible for nearly 15% of greenhouse gas emissions.
However, choosing FSC Certified Products means it comes from sustainably managed forests that helps to protect old growth forests - which is excellent for the environment! Adhering to international codes and standards, such as using FSC-certified paper, is an added assurance to clients that the goods supplied are ethically and environmentally sourced.
What Is ‘FSC Certified’?
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a global membership-based NGO established in 1993, to promote responsible forest management.
FSC has developed a certification system that relies on the collaboration of multiple independent third-party entities. By involving various stakeholders, FSC guarantees responsible and sustainable management of forests worldwide.
Within the FSC certification system, each actor plays a crucial role in facilitating the journey
of products from the forest to the market while safeguarding forests for future generations.
The FSC certification is widely recognized as the industry's gold standard for ensuring responsible forest management. It enables businesses and consumers to choose wood, paper and other products made with materials from well-managed forests. FSC Certified products can be easily identified by the presence of a checkmark logo combined with a tree silhouette.
Benefits of FSC Products
Forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) adhere to rigorous environmental, social, and economic standards. Over 160 million hectares of forests worldwide are managed in accordance with FSC standards! Here are some key benefits of choosing FSC products.
Alignment with UN SDGs
FSC's efforts contribute to the achievement of 40 targets across 14 sustainable development goals (SDGs). The comprehensive environmental, social, and economic principles of FSC's forest stewardship align with various SDGs. These include tackling poverty, promoting equality, sustainable resource utilization, responsible production and consumption, decent work, climate action, accountable societies, and other global partnerships.
Reduced Carbon
Forests are a vital resource that provide renewable materials for building a sustainable future. These forest-based materials retain the carbon they absorb, even after being utilized to construct furniture, bridges etc.
Sustainable Procurement
Utilizing wood from well-managed forests reduces our reliance on less sustainable materials such as steel and concrete. FSC's innovative certification system empowers businesses and consumers to paper, and other products derived from materials that support responsible forestry .
How The FSC System Works
FSC-certified forests adhere to rigorous environmental, social, and economic standards, covering over 160 million hectares worldwide.
To obtain FSC forest management certification, forests must adhere to certain principles. These principles include preservation of high conservation values, fostering positive community relations, protecting workers' rights, and monitoring the environmental and social impacts of forest management.
Choosing FSC certification ensures a sustainable option that promotes positive outcomes for forests, communities, and markets both now and for future generations. This commitment entails ensuring that harvested trees are either replaced or allowed to naturally regenerate. Additionally, the protection of rare old-growth forests is strictly upheld, preventing any disturbance or exploitation.
Do I Need FSC Certification?
Any company involved in processing or transforming FSC-certified products, such as manufacturing, repackaging, relabelling, or adding forest-based components, must obtain FSC certification to apply FSC labels and sell products with FSC claims.
Understanding FSC Labels
The widely recognized FSC label is acknowledged by 56 % of global consumers. Their certification system ensures the traceability of forest products and ecosystem services throughout the entire value chain, from the forest to the end consumer. Millions of products and packaging items worldwide carry the FSC labels.
Products or packaging displaying the FSC Mix label contain forest-based materials sourced from three categories; FSC-certified forests, verified recycled sources, or controlled wood. For a product to be certified as FSC Mix, it is required to contain a minimum of 70% FSC certified wood. The remaining portion can come from controlled sources but needs to undergo measures to minimize risk of being sourced from unacceptable origins.
A few examples of products carrying this label include packaging materials and stationary items (pictured above) which are commonly made from a combination of FSC-certified paper and paper from controlled sources.
The FSC 100% Label is used for products which have been sourced exclusively from FSC-certified forests entirely such as building materials, wooden furniture even certain paper products.
While the FSC Recycled Label is used for products or packaging that is generated from all forest-based materials which have been verified as 100% recycled. These could include packaging materials, as well as hygiene and paper products.
FSC certification offers several benefits, including compliance with legal requirements and improved market access. It enables the application of FSC labels to products and inclusion of FSC claims in sales documents, ensuring the traceability of FSC-certified products throughout the supply chain.
Nearly 82% of UK consumers are more inclined to buy products featuring the FSC logo! At Xcel Bespoke, we can assist you in effectively managing your product labels, ensuring compliance with FSC certification requirements through our trusted suppliers.
Summary
The FSC certificate embodies more than just a commitment to sustainable management and environmental protection; it guarantees a sustainable supply from forests and reflects a sense of responsibility towards our planet's natural resources and its future.
Therefore, our role simple – choose FSC-certified products to demonstrate our commitment to responsible forestry, as well as partnering with organizations that offer carbon-neutral services to protect the environment, as well as the billions of animals, plants, and people that rely on it.
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