Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification provides forest operation owners and managers with:

• Independent, third-party confirmation that their practices meet the high environmental and social standards of the FSC;
• Product differentiation which can be a useful marketing tool;
• Potential access to new markets:
  • An increasing number of major retailers and other users prefer to buy certified.
  • Eighty-four percent of consumers have a more favorable image of companies that support environmental causes.
  • Green building, a major market outlet for certified goods, is expected to grow exponentially over the next decade.
• Legitimacy in the eyes of the environmental community, the media and the public; and
• The right to use the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal and FSC trademark, both on- and off-product.

A complete listing of all FSC certified companies and products can be found in the FSC's certificate database.

The best place to search for FSC-certified retailers in the United States is the FSC US on-line database. For other countries, please see our guide to finding FSC-certified products and companies.

The FSC is an international organization based in Bonn, Germany that develops global Forest Management (FM) and Chain-of-Custody (CoC) standards and accredits independent certification bodies. Accredited certification bodies (CBs) implement FSC certification evaluations, issue FSC certificates to those companies that conform with the standards, and grant approvals for the use of FSC trademarks on products and promotionally.

The Rainforest Alliance is an independent, nonprofit organization that is accredited by the FSC as a CB. The Rainforest Alliance conducts FSC FM and CoC certification evaluations. The Rainforest Alliance also has several additional certification and verification programs in forestry, agriculture, and tourism that are un-related to the FSC.

SmartWood is the certification program of the Rainforest Alliance. SmartWood program staff conduct the FM and CoC evaluations. The Rainforest Alliance first adopted the name SmartWood for its forestry certification programs many years ago. FSC certificates issued by the Rainforest Alliance are provided with a certificate code that includes an acronym of the SmartWood name, e.g., SW-COC-00XXXX.

FSC certificate holders that are certified by the Rainforest Alliance may use the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal in conjunction with the FSC logo.

The Rainforest Alliance endorses the FSC standard because:

• The FSC is the most widely accepted and acclaimed global standard for responsible forestry. As an FSC-accredited certifier, we work in all forest types: tropical, temperate and boreal. Under the FSC standard we certify all forest types and sizes, including natural forests, plantations, large commercial operations, small family-owned forests and community forests.
• FSC certification includes mandatory and transparent chain-of-custody so that an FSC certified product can be traced back to its original source. The strength of the FSC Chain-of-Custody requirements provides the greatest assurance that wood from potentially illegal sources is excluded; it is one of the most important elements distinguishing FSC certification standards from other standards.
• Products made from these operations include lumber, paper, furniture, flooring, musical instruments and non-timber forest products such as maple syrup and Brazil nuts.
• All FSC Forest Management certification reports are publicly available online, offering complete transparency to all entities affected by the forestry operation.
• The FSC requires in-person, on-the-ground annual audits of every certificate holder, ensuring ongoing compliance and continual improvements.
• FSC standards address social issues, ensuring that certification addresses the needs of people who depend on forests for their economic, cultural, and recreational values.
• FSC standards are developed with input from all stakeholders, ensuring that varying social, economic and environmental interests are represented.
• The FSC enjoys widespread global support from an array of stakeholders, including businesses, environmental groups, labor organizations and others.

Through our SmartWood program, we offer independent auditing, certification and promotion of FSC-certified forest products with the aim of improving forest management by providing economic incentives to businesses that practice responsible forestry. With offices and partner organizations around the world, the Rainforest Alliance is able to offer on-the-ground certification services globally.

Costs can range significantly, depending on the complexity and scope of the audit. Costs also depend on where your business is located. For an accurate cost estimate, please fill out an application and send it to your nearest Rainforest Alliance SmartWood regional office. You do not incur any obligation by filling out an application -- it is simply tell us about your company and the scope of the assessment so that we can provide you with a cost estimate. Please contact a SmartWood representative for more details.

Costs are based on auditor time for the on-site evaluation, report writing and auditor travel costs. In addition, SmartWood must perform technical reviews of the audit report and time is required for administrative tasks such as job management, data maintenance and trademark reviews. Following the initial assessment, the FSC charges an AAF Fee (Accreditation and Administration Fee) with each annual audit.

For an assessment, your organization is billed in advance for the total assessment cost. You must pay this amount prior to the on-site visit. SmartWood does this to remove any conflict-of-interest concerns. It is important for the program's credibility that all clients pay for their assessments up front regardless of whether there is a positive or negative outcome. For audits you are billed when you receive the draft report; you have 30 days to pay.

The Rainforest Alliance certifies to the FSC standard. For FSC certification please contact your nearest Rainforest Alliance SmartWood regional office.

For Pan European Forest Council (PEFC) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) services please contact our European partner NEPCon.