FSC is an international organization of recognized certification bodies, ensuring the authenticity of certifications. In all cases, the certification process is voluntarily initiated by forest owners and operators, who merely request the certification bodies to provide relevant services. FSC's goal is to promote globally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable forest management operations worldwide by establishing widely recognized standards and related forest management principles.
As outlined in Principle 9 and the related terms table, the FSC Principles and Criteria apply to all tropical, temperate, and boreal forests. Many of the principles and criteria also apply to plantations and partially restored forests, allowing for the development of more detailed standards specific to various forest vegetation types at the national and regional levels. The FSC Principles and Criteria should be integrated into the audit systems and standards of all certification bodies seeking FSC accreditation. Although primarily designed for the management of forests producing wood products, the principles and criteria are also largely applicable to the management of forests producing non-wood products and providing other services. The principles and criteria are a holistic set, without a hierarchy, and this document should be used in conjunction with the FSC regulations, recognition procedures, and certification body guidelines.The use of FSC principles and standards must comply with national and international legal systems. FSC is intended to complement, not replace, other initiatives that support responsible forest management globally.
