FSC® Forest Management Certification

Responsible Forestry

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FSC® Forest Management Certification

Demonstrate Responsible Forest Management with FSC

Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) forest management certification guarantees customers that your forestry operations, and the timber and other forest products derived from your forests, meet the world's most stringent environmental, economic, and social standards for responsible forest management. This certification:

recognizes your outstanding efforts;
strengthens your market competitiveness;
satisfies the most rigorous customer supply chain specifications;
addresses stakeholder concerns; and
provides a strong foundation for related certifications and recognition.

Forest landowners and managers achieve certification by undergoing a third-party audit to verify adherence to the FSC standard.

Choose SCS

As a founding member of FSC and leading third-party certifier, SCS has unparalleled experience auditing against FSC requirements around the world. Our assessment teams are led by forestry professionals with a deep understanding of forest management and the forest products industry, accompanied by regional experts knowledgeable of the issues you contend with every day on the ground. Continuously accredited by since FSC’s inception in the 1990s, we now conduct forestry certifications across six continents, covering millions of acres.

Our track record of success reflects the high quality of our work, our fast and reliable service, effective stakeholder engagement, and deep commitment to FSC's mission and objectives. We work with all types of forest operations – private companies, government forestry agencies, timberland investment management organizations, and community forests, as well as individual and groups of small landowners. We also offer support for Controlled Forest Management Certification for forest management operations not ready for full FSC certification, and FSC Chain of Custody for forest products. Finally, we can conduct your FSC assessment concurrently with Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) or Responsible Wood certification audits, enabling you to get even more value from your efforts, and offer complementary certifications such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

Eligibility
Process
FAQs
Program Documents

The following types of operations can qualify for certification:

Forest Management for single-site or multi-site: A forest management entity with one or several sites operating under a single forest management plan.
Small and Low Intensity Managed Forests (SLIMF): Streamlined certification protocols for small operators or groups of operators with low harvest levels or levels below a regionally-specified size limit.
Group Certification: Multiple landowners or forest managers seeking certification under one certificate, under the direction of a group manager.
Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP): Operations that harvest non-timber forest products, such as ornamentals and consumables.
Controlled Forest Management Certification: Allows forest management enterprises to demonstrate that their wood does not come from unacceptable sources. Ideal for organizations that are new to certification.

FSC Certificates Issued by SCS – For a complete list of SCS FSC-certified clients, along with Public Summaries of their evaluation reports, and entities actively undergoing assessment, visit the FSC Registered Certificates database and select "SCS" (Scientific Certification Systems) within the first drop-down menu next to "Certificate Code."

A full list of our FSC regional affiliates can be found here.

Apply for Certification

The applicant completes and submits the SCS application form. Upon reviewing the application, SCS prepares a proposal, including a suggested audit plan, timeline, and quote. The applicant authorizes work to proceed by signing a Work Order.
Stakeholder Consultation

The SCS assessment team conducts stakeholder consultations to acquire outside input regarding the applicant’s management performance in relation to the FSC Principles and Criteria.
On-Site Audit

The SCS assessment team conducts an on-site audit to assess forest conditions and to determine if the applicant’s management system is in conformance with the FSC standards. The team tours representative forest tracts as well as facilities where timber is handled, and interviews key staff to confirm understanding of and adherence with FSC requirements.
Assessment Report

The SCS assessment team prepares a report detailing the results of the assessment. The report is reviewed by the applicant for factual accuracy.
Peer Review

For most operations, the evaluation report is submitted for independent peer review to validate the appropriateness of the team’s analytical methodology and conclusions.
Certification Decision

The SCS certification committee reviews the evaluation report and decides whether to approve certification. If granted, a certificate is issued for a five-year period, subject to annual surveillance audits. Any conditional Major Corrective Action Requests (CARs) identified by SCS must be closed prior to certification.

Certified companies and product offerings are listed on the official FSC certificate holder database.

Certified companies are granted permission to use trademarks for on-product and off-product applications in conformance with the appropriate trademark standard.

Upon successful certification, SCS offers a wide range of Client Marketing Support services.

What is the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)?

FSC is an international non-profit multi-stakeholder organization dedicated to recognizing and promoting sustainable forest practices around the world. Its consumer-facing logo is one of the most trusted environmental labels in the market today.

What is FSC Forest Management Certification?

FSC Forest Management Certification is third-party confirmation that forests are being managed responsibly, meeting stringent international social, environmental, and economic criteria. Certification can apply to a wide range of operational and management configurations, including single-site or multi-site, small and low intensity managed forests (SLIMF), group certification under one management system, non-timber forest products (NTFP), and controlled forest management certification (CFM) as an onboarding opportunity for forests not yet ready for full FSC certification.

Why should I get FSC certified?

FSC certification gives you new or strengthened access to supply chains that require certified wood, and demonstrates your operation’s tangible efforts to engage in responsible forest management. Companies, governments, and other institutions are increasingly developing purchasing policies that prefer or require FSC-certified materials and products to demonstrate their commitment to environmentally and socially responsible forest practices.

How much does FSC Forest Management certification cost?

Costs vary depending on the location, size, and complexity of your forestry operation. Please contact us for a custom quote.

How long is my FSC certificate valid?

FSC certificates are valid for five years, subject to annual surveillance audits.

How do I know if I'm ready for FSC Certification?

FSC certification is the gold standard for responsible forest management. A preliminary assessment conducted by SCS is the best way to determine whether you are ready for a full certification evaluation.

Is my FSC Certification aligned with the EUDR and other emerging regulatory frameworks?

In 2024, the FSC took steps to align with the requirements of European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). As stated on the FSC website, “This new voluntary add-on module FSC-STD-01-004 FSC Regulatory Module supports EUDR compliance by providing additional requirements for Forest Management, Chain of Custody, and Controlled Forest Management Certification as well as accreditation requirements ... The module outlines robust due diligence systems, conducting thorough risk assessments with FSC’s Risk Assessment Framework, and maintaining transparent supply chain documentation.”

Should I use the SCS Kingfisher Responsible Forestry logo as well as the FSC logo?

SCS FSC certificate holders in good standing can use the Kingfisher Responsible Forestry logo for on-product and promotional claims in conjunction with use of the FSC logo. Co-branding with SCS’ Kingfisher resonates with consumers, as the claim “Responsible Forestry” clearly communicates what the FSC certification is all about.

Technical program documents can either be accessed below or on the FSC Document Centre as indicated:

•    FSC® Forest Management Certification Process
•    FSC® Forest Management Certification (Visit FSC Document Centre).
•    SCS FSC Chain of Custody Indicators for Forest Management Enterprises
•    FSC® Controlled Forest Management Certification Standard (Visit FSC Document Centre)
•    FSC® Regulatory Module (Visit FSC Document Centre)

For countries with approved FSC Forest Management National Standards, please search the FSC Document Centre for the particular country. The FSC Document Centre also contains other FSC normative documents.