FSC-Certified Wood

The Forest Stewardship Council was established in 1993 in response to growing concerns about global deforestation and irresponsible logging practices. Founded by a coalition of environmental organizations, timber industry representatives, and community groups, the FSC created a voluntary certification system that sets standards for responsible forest management encompassing environmental protection, social equity, and economic viability. FSC certification tracks wood products through the entire supply chain via a chain-of-custody certification, ensuring that products bearing the FSC label can be traced back to responsibly managed forests. For interior designers, specifying FSC-certified wood is one of the most straightforward ways to ensure that timber and wood products come from well-managed sources. FSC certification is available across virtually every wood product category, including structural lumber, hardwood flooring, plywood, veneers, millwork, cabinetry, and furniture. The certification ensures that forests are harvested sustainably with provisions for biodiversity protection, indigenous peoples' rights, worker safety, and long-term forest health. Three labeling categories exist: FSC 100% for products from fully certified forests, FSC Recycled for products made from reclaimed or recycled wood fiber, and FSC Mix for products combining certified, recycled, and controlled sources. Specifying FSC-certified wood typically adds little or no cost premium for common species and is increasingly expected by environmentally conscious clients.