FSC BACKGROUND
May 2008
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international, independent, nor-for-profit, membership-based organisation. If provides standards for responsible forest management, an extensive chain of custody system, an accreditation system for certification bodies and a distinctive trademark for buyers of forest products. Founded in 1993, in the wake of the Rio Earth Summit, the mission of FSC is to promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world’s forests. Its governance structure ensures the organisation is independent of any one interest group by requiring an equal balance in power between economic, social and environmental chambers. More than 80 million hectares of forest have been certified to FSC standards worldwide and more than 5 000 companies participate in the system.
When the International Business Leaders Forum (ILBF) was asked to select the winner for the inaugural Alcan International Prize for Sustainability from a field of 500 entries in 79 countries, it selected FSC. The award was for a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation that had made a significant contribution to sustainable development. Robert Davies, CEO of the IBLF described FSC as being at the centre of “an exceptional and innovative partnership among business, the public sector, and civil society to raise business standards and have a practical impact on the pressing challenge of economic, environmental and social sustainability in forestry.”
FSC Australia was established in 2001 with a national contact person and in 2006 the first annual general meeting of members elected a nine-member Members, Board & Officersboard[/int]. More than half a million hectares of forest have been certified to FSC standards in Australia including native forests and tree plantations. In May 2008 FSC Australia passed the milestone 100 certificates in the FSC Chain of Custody. FSC Chain of Custody companies are active in the markets for sawn wood, joinery, furniture, flooring, MDF, pulp, paper and printing. FSC Australia has almost 60 members including some of the country’s major forest product companies, wood wholesalers as well as print management, printing and paper wholesalers.
FSC forest management standards are based on 10 Principles of responsible forest management (available here). FSC offers Chain of Custody standards for manufacturers, processors and wholesalers. Chain of custody allows credible tracking of certified wood and wood products from certified forests through trade and manufacturing to retailers and end customers. Many thousands of products world-wide now carry the FSC trademark as a symbol of assurance to customers that the product they are buying is contributing to the spread of responsible forest management. Major retailers in Europe, the United States, Latin America and Asia insist on FSC certification so they can be confident about the products they are offering to their customers. FSC operates through a network of 35 National Initiatives.
Read news from FSC Australia here
To find speeches and presentations given on FSC, please go to Archives
For more information, please browse this website or contact Michael Spencer on 0439 381144 or by email at michael@fscaustralia.org
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