FSC Certification

Many of the goods we use rely on materials directly sourced from forests. Unfortunately, this can have detrimental effects on our forests due to the demands of daily production. While a straightforward solution might be to halt tree felling and wood sourcing, a more practical approach involves responsibly obtaining wood from forests while adhering to ecologically sound practices. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) plays a crucial role in this regard, operating through its FSC Certification in India. This system grants FSC certificate in India to manufacturers that require forest-derived resources for their products. By holding this certification, manufacturers commit to safeguarding forests, minimizing tree felling's impact, and embracing sustainable methods, thereby ensuring environmentally friendly practices.

Need for Forest-Based Products (FSC) Certification

Forests are blessings for our planet and we should not take them for granted. They protect us from climate change and natural disasters. The forests keep the quality of water and soil in check. The bio-diversity flourishes in forests which is essential for our ecosystem to thrive. But all this may not work in synergy if we keep exploiting our forests for commercial purposes. There has to be some governing institution like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) to address the issue. Completely cutting off commercial use of forests is not at all a practical solution. We have to find ways that bring the good of both worlds.

FSC allows commercialisation but with a commitment to sustainably source wood from the forests. They do chopping of trees and also give utmost importance to replantation. Such practices ensure the availability of raw materials for the production of items of household needs but also keep the environment unaffected to whichever extent possible.

Who Can Apply for the FSC Registration?

Primarily, the most concerned entity to obtain the FSC certification in India is the manufacturing unit that uses forest-based raw materials. But the Forest Stewardship Council allows other entities also to be a part of this good cause and stand together in support of safeguarding the legacy of forests and the sustainable development of mankind. The entities that can get a certification or licence from the FSC are as follows-

• Manufacturers of Forest-Based Products

Manufacturers of products that use forest-originated raw materials for production can get the FSC Certification. The manufacturers who are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council can use the FSC logo on their products. It acts as proof that the manufacturer is using sustainable practices to source the material from forests for the production of its products.

• Retailers and Brands Selling Forest-Based Products

Retailers do not source the materials from the forest but can join Forest Stewardship by promoting FSC-Certified products. They can seek the Promotional FSC Licence that permits them to use the FSC logo on their promotional materials.

• Project Developers Using Forest-Based Products

Project Developers like architects, builders, artists etc. can get the FSC Registration for their projects. The FSC Certificate for the project means that the forest-based materials used in the project are obtained in an environment-friendly manner only and the developer supports the principles of sustainable development.

• Forest Manager Certification

Forest operators can obtain FSC certification for sustainable forest management. This certification is highly reliable and indicates that the forest is being managed in an environmentally, socially, and economically responsible manner. It is a crucial step towards ensuring sustainability.

You can choose an FSC Certification based on your individual requirements. Three kinds of Forest Stewardship Council Certification are available for Forest Managers, Business Owners and manufacturers of forest-based goods. These FSC Certifications are as follows-

• FM Certification

FM Certification means Forest Management Certification. It is provided to the managers of forests and plantations, who use sustainable forest practices and fulfil market demand while maintaining the health of forests.

• Chain of Custody (CoC) Certification

The manufacturers can get CoC Certification (Chain of Custody) if they are using FSC-certified wood to produce their products. The utilisation of forest timber can be direct or indirect, in both cases, the business is eligible to get the CoC Certification.

• CW Certification

CW Certification is used for the use of Controlled Wood. Controlled Wood is a category of wood identified by the Forest Stewardship Council which is not FSC-certified but avoids harm to nature in comparison to other alternatives that are very harmful and unacceptable.

We can summarise the benefits of FSC Registration in the following heads-

• It provides a framework to implement sustainable practices in the forests.
• It ensures the availability of healthy forests for the next generation.
• It assists in restoring damaged forests as well.
• The FSC logo is a pride for the manufacturers. They promote their commitment through the logo with dignity which wins the trust of the consumers.
• The promotion of FSC-certified products discourages the manufacturing of products that are forest-based and don’t possess such certification. It is again a win for environment-friendly production practices.
• Encouragement of forest-friendly commercial techniques prevents the loss of biodiversity and keeps soil and water resources safe and healthy.

There are three logos of the Forest Stewardship Council. Each of these serves a different purpose. These different logos are as follows-

Which Products Can Get the FSC Certification?

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), not only provides certification for the manufacturers of wooden products but also for the products that use any kind of Forest originated raw materials. The FSC Certification injn India can be applied for the following products-

• Tyres
• Skis
• Wetsuits
• Clothing
• Shoe
• Home Decor
• Furniture
• Paper
• Packaging
• Tissue
• Paper Cups
• Books
• Art Supplies
• Timber

To get FSC Certification, you need to comply with the standards necessary for the certification. Some of the requirements for the Forest Stewardship Council Certification are-

• Utilization of forest-based materials, whether partial or complete, in your production, must be sourced from FSC-certified origins. This criterion also encompasses the use of reclaimed materials.
• Throughout the manufacturing and distribution processes, proper identification and tracing of FSC-certified materials must be maintained.
• All documentation and records of production, procurement, and sales of FSC-certified products must be retained.
• Additionally, adherence to FSC's fundamental labour standards is essential, which encompass-

1. Prohibition of child labour and forced labour.
2. Prevention of employment and occupational discrimination.
3. Assurance of freedom of association and the right to engage in collective bargaining.

The procedure to get the FSC Certification in India gets very simpler when you take the services of Corpseed. We get in touch with the issuing authority and complete the application process for you. The application process goes through the following steps-

Step 1: - Selection of Certification Body

A certification body audits your business to evaluate whether you follow the FSC Standards or not. If you do follow all the said standards then the certification body certifies your business. We chose only the best FSC-accredited certification body to get your job done. It ensures the credibility of the certification.

Step 2: - Submission of Application

After the certification body is finalised, you need to submit the application to get FSC Certificate for your business. The application includes details about the steps your organisation is taking to meet the set standards. Corpseed assists the clients in the application process and lets them know the intricacies involved in the application process.

Step 3: - Completing Assessment

After the application submission, the team from the certification body assesses your business and decides whether you are following appropriate rules and regulations or not.

Step 4: - FSC Check Process

After the assessment, if you are found to be following all the requisite practices for FSC Registration according to the FSC Standards, you will be given a questionnaire which you need to complete in the FSC Check process. This process takes place before the signing of the trademark agreement.

Step 5: - Final Approval

After the questionnaire submission and signing of the trademark agreement, you need to wait until you receive final approval for the certification. Once you get the approval, you can start manufacturing and selling FSC Certified products.

Step 6: - Annual Audits

Your certification body will conduct annual audits to ensure that you are complying with the FSC Standards. It will conform to your chain of custody certification annually.

What makes FSC Certification the Best Sustainable Forestry Solution?

Designed to be adaptable across a spectrum of forest ecosystems and within diverse cultural, political, and legal contexts, these guidelines mandate that managers of certified forests must-

• Adhere to all pertinent laws and regulations.
• Enhance the social and economic welfare of workers or, at a minimum, sustain the existing levels.
• Safeguard the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
• Elevate the social and economic well-being of local communities or maintain it at the very least.
• Govern their products and services in a manner that fortifies their long-term economic viability, social advantages, and environmental gains.
• Conserve, protect, and/or restore the ecosystem services and environmental principles of the managed forests; further, they must avert, rectify, or mitigate any detrimental environmental impacts.
• Formulate a comprehensive management plan detailing their economic, environmental, and social policies and objectives.
• Exhibit advancement in the direction of accomplishing these objectives.
• Sustain or enhance high conservation values.
• Certify that all managerial actions align with the principles and criteria outlined by the FSC.

Our FSC Certification Experts provide you much needed guidance according to your needs. The team has years of experience in the same domain. It is well-versed with national and international provisions concerning various types of quality and compliance certifications. Along with this knowledge, the team at Corpseed is well aware of the possible challenges that applicants face while filing an application for FSC Certification. You have us as the best choice to get your FSC Certification in India. Corpseed is the one-stop solution for all your business needs.