FSC-Certified Wood
Wood and paper from forests independently certified for sustainable management.
What it is
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certifies forests and products from them against environmental, social, and economic standards. Labels include FSC 100%, FSC Mix, and FSC Recycled.
Why it matters
Roughly 10 million hectares of forest are lost each year. FSC certification verifies legal harvest, biodiversity protection, and Indigenous community rights, and is the standard most recognized by NGOs like WWF.
Upsides
- Independently audited chain of custody from forest to product
- Protects high-conservation-value forests and Indigenous rights
- Required for many EU and US public procurement contracts
Trade-offs
- FSC Mix can include controlled (not certified) wood — lower bar than FSC 100%
- Certification costs price out small community forest operators
- Not all FSC sites are perfect; audits surface occasional violations
What to look for on the label
FSC 100% or FSC Recycled for the strongest claim. Verify the license number (FSC-C######) on info.fsc.org.
Better or comparable alternatives
Frequently asked
Is FSC the same as PEFC?+
Both certify sustainable forestry. FSC is generally considered stricter and more NGO-trusted; PEFC is broader and used heavily in European family-forest contexts.
Does FSC cover paper and packaging?+
Yes — books, tissue, cartons, and shipping mailers can all carry FSC labels. FSC Recycled means 100% post-consumer fiber.