The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) sets standards to ensure that the wood and pulp used in the production of printed materials are grown, harvested, and manufactured in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable way.

When your project includes the FSC logo, it indicates a high degree of environmental stewardship. The FSC logo makes a stronger, more positive statement about your company or organization than simply using recycled paper and the recycled logo. The criteria for the use of the recycled logo are not well defined, and there is no oversight for the use of this logo.

FSC printed projects, however, are produced in a tightly controlled system by certified printing companies. The papers used are independently certified to meet FSC standards. In order to ensure adherence to FSC standards, all parts of the manufacturing process are audited.

From the forest, to the company that prints your project, independent agencies will certify each part of the manufacturing and production processes. If all of the standards are met, your project will be considered FSC certified and will display the FSC tree and checkmark logo. This mark guarantees that all of the materials used in the production of your project have come from well managed forests and/or recycled sources.

The goal of Forest Stewardship Council is to ensure that forests are managed responsibly, to create a truly renewable resource. As an international organization, the FSC develops principles and standards to certify forests and forest products. These standards are stringent, and only companies with a strong, ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship can gain certification from the FSC. Rigorous, independent audits are used to ensure that all of the FSC's criteria are met. It can take years to complete the certification process, and companies must be re-certified on an annual basis.

Please visit the Forest Stewardship Council for additional information.