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Forest certification

Forest certification is a system of inspecting and tracking timber, paper pulp and other forest products to make sure they’ve been harvested according to a strict set of guidelines. 

Forest certification is about more than just which trees are cut down – forest certification is also about the well-being of workers and local communities. 

Certification begins in the forest and continues through the entire timber trading chain to the sales outlet. The aim is to give you, as a consumer, the confidence that you’re buying a responsibly-harvested forest product.

We believe that certification should:

  • Protect threatened wildlife and habitats
  • Respect the rights of local communities and workers
  • Minimise waste from forestry activities
  • Provide opportunities for a sustainable source of income for local people

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

There are a few certification schemes out there, and it can make things a bit confusing. All these ‘green labels’ may look nice, but certification can only protect forests if the system is credible – otherwise it’s just another logo on a product.

We believe that Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is the only credible forest certification system that ensures environmentally and socially responsible management of forests.

That’s why we recommend FSC to consumers, businesses, policymakers and forest managers.

Read more about forest certification