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Get FSC Certified
Learn about the benefits of FSC Certification
Why get certified?
An ever increasing number of forest managers and producers are choosing to demonstrate their commitment to responsible forest management by certifying their operations to FSC standards. By the end of May 2009 there has already been a 44% increase on the number of FSC certificates issued to Irish companies in comparison to the same period in 2008.
What are the benefits of certification?
By gaining certification you are showing your customers that you have a commitment to the highest social and environmental standards on the market. Public concern about the state of the world’s forests and timber resources, especially in relation to climate change, has never been higher; FSC certification demonstrates that your company is seeking to be part of the solution.
FSC provides your company with a simple solution to complex environmental and social issues. The FSC label is widely recognised and is an effective way to let customers and business partners know that you are engaged in socially and environmentally responsible practices.
On a practical level, more and more large corporations and governments are seeking to fulfil their own socially and environmental responsibility by specifying certified timber and wood products. Indeed members of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government unanimously supported a recent presentation by Offaly-based forest education and awareness group, Just Forests, which suggested that the Irish government should have a National Timber Procurement Policy.
How do I get Certified?
There are 3 types of certification:
1. FSC forest management certification
Forest managers or owners who want to get FSC certified and prove that their forest operations are socially beneficial and managed in an environmentally appropriate and economically viable manner can apply for forest management (FM) certification.
There are special options for smallholders and low intensity managers which can be viewed on the FSC International web site. Click here for further information.
2. FSC chain of custody certification
The Chain of Custody certification is suited to a wide variety of businesses and there are tens of thousands of companies around the world with this type of certification. FSC chain of custody traces FSC certified timber through the production chain.
FSC chain of custody (CoC) certification is for companies that manufacture, process or trade in timber or non-timber forest products and want to demonstrate to their customers that they use responsibly produced raw materials.
FSC chain of custody helps companies to strengthen their sourcing policies and comply with public or private procurement policies where FSC is the preferred option.
Our Chain of Custody factsheet (PDF) contains lots of useful information on the Chain of Custody certification.
3. FSC Controlled Wood
Forest Management companies that comply with the five FSC Controlled Wood criteria will be able to supply FSC Controlled Wood to FSC Chain of Custody operations. FSC Controlled Wood supports the production of FSC Mixed Sources products by providing FSC certified companies with tools to control the non-FSC certified wood in their product groups to avoid illegal timber and wood produced in socially and environmentally damaging ways.