The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®)

What is FSC® Certification?

The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®/ FSC® Certification) is an international, non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world’s forests. Since its foundation in 1994,  FSC®  has grown to become the world’s most respected and widespread forest certification system.

FSC®’s pioneering certification system, which now covers more than 200 million hectares of forest, enables businesses and consumers to choose wood, paper, and other forest products made with materials that support responsible forestry.

Objective of FSC®:

The stated mission of the FSC is to “promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests”. To this end, the body has published a strategy advancing globally responsible forest management.

FSC® Certification process:

Application and Contract

You can apply online for the FSC® Certification or complete the application form and return it to GCL International Ltd. head office or one of our local offices. We will use the application details to produce a quotation. Once the quotation has been accepted, we will ask you to return a signed copy of the quotation and our Scheme Rules.

Preparation for the Initial FSC® Certification Audit

The following documents are supplied prior to the initial certification:

• Copies of latest FSC standards
• Client Self-Assessment Standard Checklist, to be completed and returned
• An Audit Plan
• Participating Sites list and Sub-Contractor list, to be submitted before the audit if applicable
• Trademark License agreement to be signed online

Initial certification audit:

• Opening meeting
• On-site Audit
• Preparation of Audit Report (including Findings)
• Closing meeting

Following the completion of the inspection or on-site audit, a report detailing the findings is provided. Subject to the closure of major non-conformances or findings (if any), a Scope Certificate is issued. The certificate is valid for five years with conditions as mentioned in the FSC®  standard.

Usage of FSC® label

The certified organizations can use both On-Product and Promotional FSC®  usage, which are generated from the FSC®  logo generator. All the certified organizations need to submit their artwork (Promotional and On-Product) to GCL for each usage of FSC® logo or FSC®  trademark for approval. Prior approval for the usage is mandatory.

Surveillance or Re-certification audits

GCL International will communicate with the client to plan for the Surveillance Audit or Recertification Audit.

The applicant organization must inform GCL of any changes to the scope of the FSC®  certificate. Changes may include a change in product, change in address, addition of sub-contractors, or addition of sites, for example. GCL will conduct a Scope Enhancement Audit for the scope changes and prepare a report. Subject to the closure of any non-conformances or findings (if any), a Scope Certificate is issued with changes in scope.

In a certification cycle 4, surveillance audits will be conducted during a certification cycle. A detailed audit report will be prepared by GCL. Subject to the closure of any non-conformances or findings (if any), continuation of the FSC® certificate will be recommended.

Recertification Audits will be conducted prior to the expiry of the existing certificate. A detailed audit report will be prepared by GCL. Subject to the closure of any non-conformances or findings (if any), a new scope certificate will be issued, valid for five years.

General Publication Part:

• FSC® Standards
• FSC® Scheme rules
• Request Operator Handbook
• Request Fee structure
• Link for Client Database