For forest managers or owners, FSC® Forest Management (FM) certification is a way of ensuring that their careful and long-term forest management is recognized. It involves an inspection of forest management by an independent organization to check that it passes the internationally agreed FSC Principles and Criteria (P&C) of good forest management.

Certification is voluntary and ensures that the management of a forest is responsible and based on a long-term commitment to high social and environmental standards.

To sell material from an FSC certified forest with the FSC logo, a forest manager must also achieve FSC chain of custody certification. The FSC label shows that a product comes from a well-managed forest and enables forest managers to pass on the benefits of certification to their customers.

Who can get FM certification?

FM certification can be achieved by anyone who complies with the FSC P&C. Smallholders, private owners of small, medium or large forest units, forest managers, and private or public companies can be FM certified. FSC certification is not only for forests producing timber. Forests which produce marketable non-timber forest products (NTFPs) – Brazil nuts, chestnut, chicle gum and medicinal plants, for instance – and ecosystem services such as maintaining water quality or soil conservation, can be certified.

Benefits of FSC certification

FSC certification in any form has a range of economic, social and environmental benefits. It can bring greater market access, and FSC certified products can sometimes be sold for a higher price than similar uncertified products. FSC certification requires that all forest workers have the right protective equipment and receive proper training, and that they are paid a fair wage, which means better working conditions for workers and their families. Indigenous people and local communities must give free, prior and informed consent to forest operations on lands where they have recognized land and forest use rights. This can help them clarify and even assert their

FSC Forest Management CertificationHelping your business grow through responsible forestry

FSC Internat ional Center GmbH · Char les-de-Gaul le-Strasse 5 · 53113 Bonn · GermanyPhone +49 (0) 228 367 66 0 · Fax +49 (0) 228 367 66 30 · fsc@fsc.org · www.fsc.org

AT A GLANCE... FM CERTIFICATION

Verification confirms that forest management practices meet FSC Principles and Criteria

Certification ensures responsible forest management through regular controls

Smallholders and communities can access affordable certification options

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land use rights. FSC certification also requires forest owners to protect endangered plants and animals and their habitats, protect soil and water quality, and identify and protect areas of high value for conservation.

FSC is aware that smallholders, communities and low-intensity managed forests may face additional challenges when seeking certification. To help these groups, FSC has developed a smallholder support programme and FSC Group certification. These are designed to streamline certification procedures, provide support and reduce individual costs.

What costs are involved?Direct costs: the direct cost of certification is the cost of the evaluation charged by the auditors, who check compliance with the FSC standard. These costs may cover meetings and preparation before the official audit, document preparation and field visits, office visits by auditors, and related work after the audit. Many of these costs will depend on the site, the complexity of the organization being certified and the certification body performing the audit. Remember that FSC has developed special programs that will reduce the certification costs for smallholders who seek SLIMF certification and/or Group Certification. For details on costs for your site, it is recommended you contact several FSC accredited certification bodies.

Indirect costs: the indirect costs are those required to improve or streamline management to fulfill the FSC standards. These may include: expenses to recruit and train staff, and keep records; time and funds needed for changes in management practices; and other costs, depending on the recommendations arising from the audits.

FSC Internat ional Center GmbH · Char les-de-Gaul le-Strasse 5 · 53113 Bonn · GermanyPhone +49 (0) 228 367 66 0 · Fax +49 (0) 228 367 66 30 · fsc@fsc.org · www.fsc.org

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FSC certification in 5 steps:

Contact one or several FSC accredited certification bodies. They will provide you with an estimate that includes the cost and time required to get certified, together with information about the requirements for FSC certification.

You decide which certification body you would like to work with and sign an agreement with the certification body.

A certification audit takes place to assess your company’s qualifications for certification.

The data collected in the audit is compiled in an audit report. The certification body’s certification decision will be based on this audit report.

If the certification decision is positive, you receive an FSC certificate. If the audit revealed that your operation is not yet in full compliance with FSC requirements, you are given the opportunity to implement the changes suggested in the certification report and then undertake further audits until you are in full compliance.

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