Controlled Wood Certification

 

What is ‘’controlled wood’’?

FSC-labelled products demonstrate that the wood or paper in use originates from responsibly managed forests that benefit local communities and the environment. However, despite continued and sustained growth of the FSC market share, there are still some shortages in the supply of FSC material. To allow manufacturers to provide FSC labelled products, FSC has introduced label of ‘FSC Mixed Sources’. This allows manufacturers, printers, publishers and traders to mix FSC certified material with non-certified material, recycled or newly harvested. This is called ‘’Controlled Wood’’. The proportion of mixing is based on a strictly regulated input and output based system which permits the trader to make verified FSC claims based on the proportion of FSC-certified pure material.

However, the portion of the product derived from non-certified wood must also be produced in a manner that is not socially or environmentally damaging. Environmental considerations in FSC include biodiversity, conservation, and protection of water and soil. Social consideration includes protecting workers’ rights, adequate training and proper protective gear, and the rights of local communities. Controlled Wood material must be independently verified against the FSC Controlled Wood standard which ensures that a minimum performance level is achieved in consideration of key social and environmental issues.

FSC Controlled Wood must meet the following basic requirements: 1) the origin of the material is known; and 2) the wood must not come from sources classified as controversial by the FSC. In particular, the Controlled Wood standard specifies the following five unacceptable origins:

  1. Illegally harvested wood;
  2. Wood harvested in violation of traditional and civil rights;
  3. Wood harvested in forests in which High Conservation Values (defined as) are threatened through management activities;
  4. Wood harvested from conversion of natural forests;
  5. Wood harvested from areas where genetically modified trees are planted;

FSC controlled wood certification can often serve as a preliminary step for enterprises that would like to become fully FSC certified.

Public Consultation

FSC Ireland has an upcoming public consultation on its Controlled Wood Risk Assessment. Register to the consultative forum to have your say.