Forest Stewardship Council
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international, non-profit, non-governmental membership association that promotes the responsible management of forests.
The name FSC emerged a meeting of timber users, traders and representatives of environmental and human rights organisations in California in 1990. The FSC Founding Assembly was held in Toronto, Canada in 1993 and the FSC was established as a legal entity in Mexico in February 1994. It relocated to Bonn, Germany in 2003.
FSC UK is legally and financially independent of FSC international. It promotes the FSC system, sets forest management standards for the UK and provides information, advisory and training services.
The mission of the FSC is to ‘…promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world's forests.’
FSC certifies forests globally to ensure they meet the environmental and social standards (Forest Management certification). It also certifies the ‘chain of custody’, monitoring timber through the supply chain by tracking the invoicing process (Chain of Custody Certification). In addition, it offers Project Certification, Controlled Wood Certification and Multiple Site Chain of Custody Certification.
There are three types of FSC label: 100%, FSC Mix and FSC Recycled.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Ancient woodland.
- Cedar.
- Chain of custody.
- Confederation of Timber Industries.
- Environmental plan.
- European Union Timber Regulation.
- Facts about forestry.
- Forests.
- Forest ownership.
- Legal and sustainable timber.
- Legally harvested and traded timber.
- Lime wood.
- Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification.
- Sustainability.
- Sustainable materials.
- Sustainable timber.
- Sustainable Wood.
- Sustainably procuring tropical hardwood.
- Timber.
- Whole life carbon assessment of timber.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help the homebuilding sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.