Menu
Search Search Basket
0
Cart

If you’ve shopped for wood furniture lately, you’ve probably seen the little check-tree logo with “FSC.” That mark signals the Forest Stewardship Council’s system for responsible forestry and traceable supply chains. Below, you’ll learn what each FSC label actually guarantees, how to verify claims, how FSC interacts with laws like the Lacey Act and the EU’s new deforestation rules, and when paying extra for FSC makes sense for you.1,2

Quick take: If you want lower-risk, responsibly sourced wood—and a verifiable paper trail—look for the FSC label on the product and ask for the supplier’s FSC license code (format “FSC-C######”). Then verify it in the public database before you buy.20,21,22

Generated image

What is FSC?

The Forest Stewardship Council (est. 1993) is a global, multi-stakeholder nonprofit that sets standards for responsible forest management and audited chain-of-custody (CoC) tracking from forest to finished product.17,2 FSC’s standards cover environmental safeguards (e.g., biodiversity, high-conservation-value forests), worker rights, and Indigenous rights—the “Ten Principles and Criteria.”16,19

FSC labels at a glance

There are three FSC on-product labels. Each means something different about what’s inside:1,10

Generated image

FSC Label What it means What it guarantees What to ask the seller
FSC 100% All wood is from FSC-certified forests. Forest management certified to FSC standards; full CoC traceability. Ask for their FSC license code and the product’s CoC claim on the invoice.2,6,23
FSC Mix A mix of FSC-certified, recycled, and/or “Controlled Wood” (non-controversial) inputs. Eligible inputs only; percentage/credit systems govern how much certified content is present. Label use generally requires ≥70% under the percentage system.13,14 If it’s “FSC Mix NN%,” that NN% usually reflects certified/recycled content in the claim. Request the exact claim on sales docs.12,14
FSC Recycled All wood fiber is 100% recycled (post-consumer and/or pre-consumer per FSC rules). Audited recycled content and CoC traceability. Confirm recycled breakdown if relevant (post- vs pre-consumer) on the claim.1,6
Tip: “Controlled Wood” is not the same as fully certified wood. It’s screened to avoid unacceptable sources (e.g., illegal logging, rights violations), but it isn’t an FSC-certified forest claim by itself. It appears in FSC Mix products as an eligible, lower-risk input.3,5,7

How FSC verifies the supply chain (why this matters for you)

FSC’s Chain-of-Custody (CoC) certification tracks certified inputs through every step—sawmill, factory, distributor—to ensure labeled products are kept separate from non-eligible material and that claims on invoices match what you receive.2,6,23

How to verify a claim in 60 seconds

  1. Find the FSC trademark license code on the product or paperwork (format “FSC-C######”).20,24
  2. Go to the official FSC certificate search and look up the code (public beta and dashboards are maintained by FSC).22,23
  3. Confirm the company name, certificate status (valid/suspended/expired), scope, and product categories match your purchase.21

FSC vs. the law: what certification does (and doesn’t) replace

In the U.S., the Lacey Act (amended 2008) makes it illegal to import or trade illegally harvested wood; importers file species/source declarations and face penalties for violations.8,9,11 In the EU, the new EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is replacing the EU Timber Regulation and phases in due-diligence and traceability duties for timber products produced after June 29, 2023; the EU has discussed implementation delays into 2025–2026.4,18,27

Key point: FSC certification doesn’t replace legal compliance; it complements it with audited management and CoC systems. For you, FSC helps reduce risk beyond minimum legal checks by embedding third-party verification throughout the supply chain.2,6

Generated image

Should you pay extra for FSC?

  • If you prioritize sustainability: FSC is worth prioritizing.
  • If budget is tight: Consider FSC Mix or FSC Recycled. Mix still screens out unacceptable sources; Recycled reuses fiber entirely.1,3
  • If you’re outfitting rentals or high-wear areas: Certification won’t change hardness (Janka), finish durability, or joinery quality. Judge the product on those specs first; use FSC as a sourcing bonus, not a substitute for construction quality.
  • If you need proof for green building or procurement: Many programs recognize certified wood and/or assign value to FSC Mix percentage claims on invoices.12
Reality check: FSC is a strong signal for responsible sourcing and traceability, but it isn’t a quality grade. Always ask about species (and Janka hardness if relevant), thickness, joinery, and finish type (e.g., hardwax oil vs. polyurethane) alongside the FSC claim.

Common buying decisions (and the trade-offs)

FSC 100% vs. FSC Mix

FSC 100% has the clearest story (all wood from certified forests), but availability and price can be constraints in some categories. FSC Mix expands availability by allowing certified + recycled + controlled wood inputs—still screened against unacceptable sources.1,3,13

Solid wood vs. veneer

Veneer over stable cores (like plywood/MDF) can deliver a premium look while using less solid timber. FSC applies to the wood content either way; validate the whole bill of materials if you care about total certified content.2,6

Regional laws vs. voluntary certification

Even where laws exist (U.S. Lacey, EU EUDR), FSC adds audit discipline and an end-to-end claim you can verify. For import-heavy categories, that redundancy is useful risk management.8,4

Recommended explainer video

Watch “How does the FSC certification system work?” for a concise overview of actors, audits, and labels.15

FAQs

1) Is FSC the same as “sustainably sourced”?

No. “Sustainably sourced” is marketing language. “FSC-certified” is a third-party audited claim with a license code you can verify.20,22

2) What’s the fastest way to check an FSC claim?

Find the FSC-C###### code and look it up on the official FSC certificate search. Confirm the certificate is valid and covers the product category you’re buying.22,21

3) Does FSC guarantee solid-wood quality (hardness, durability)?

No. FSC is about responsible sourcing and traceability. Quality depends on species (Janka hardness), construction (joinery, thickness), and finish type.

4) What does “Controlled Wood” mean to me as a buyer?

It’s a risk-screened input (e.g., not illegally harvested or violating rights) used in FSC Mix. It’s not equivalent to wood from an FSC-certified forest.3,5

5) I see “FSC Mix 75%” on paperwork—what does that number mean?

It’s the percentage claim used for valuation/accounting (and sometimes eligibility for labeling). Products under ~70% may carry an invoice claim but not an on-product label under the percentage system.12,13

6) Does FSC help me comply with the U.S. Lacey Act?

FSC doesn’t replace Lacey compliance, but it supports due diligence by adding independent audits and documented CoC. Importers are still responsible under Lacey.8,9

7) How does the EU’s EUDR affect furniture buyers?

EUDR phases in deforestation-free due-diligence requirements for timber products. The Commission has discussed delays into 2025–2026; timelines may shift. FSC can complement (not replace) operator obligations.4,18,27

8) Is PEFC the same as FSC?

Both are major certification systems with CoC tracking. Details and governance differ, but both aim to assure responsible sourcing. Some regions/brands carry PEFC instead of (or alongside) FSC.24-PEFC,25-PEFC,26-PEFC

9) Where do I find the FSC code on furniture?

Look on product labels, tags, packaging, or the invoice. The code typically appears as “FSC-C######.”20

10) Does FSC certification affect price?

Sometimes. FSC 100% can carry a premium or be less available. FSC Mix and FSC Recycled expand options and may be priced closer to non-certified alternatives.

11) Can a non-certified retailer still advertise FSC?

Yes—via an FSC promotional license (off-product marketing), but on-product labeling and sales claims require valid CoC certification in the supply chain.21

12) How recognized is the FSC label by consumers?

FSC cites global research showing roughly half of consumers recognize the label; some regions are higher. Awareness supports resale and brand trust.28,29

Citations

  1. FSC — What the FSC Labels Mean (FSC 100%, Mix, Recycled).
  2. FSC — Chain of Custody (overview).
  3. FSC US — Controlled Wood (what it excludes).
  4. European Commission — Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR).
  5. FSC — Controlled Wood & FSC Mix.
  6. FSC US — Chain-of-Custody (supply-chain tracing).
  7. FSC ANZ — Controlled Wood FAQ.
  8. USDA APHIS — Lacey Act FAQ.
  9. USDA APHIS — Lacey Act plant provisions overview.
  10. FSC Canada — What do the FSC labels mean?.
  11. USDA APHIS — Lacey Act Annual Report (context & scale).
  12. FSC US — Green Building FAQs (Mix NN% valuation & claims).
  13. FSC — Chain of Custody 101 (percentage/label thresholds).
  14. FSC — Claims, Labels & Logo (claim-contributing inputs; labeling).
  15. YouTube — “How does the FSC certification system work?”.
  16. FSC — Principles & Criteria (overview).
  17. FSC — How the FSC System Works (governance; consumer recognition).
  18. Reuters — EU EUDR delay agreement (timelines into 2025/2026).
  19. FSC — Standards (Ten Principles).
  20. FSC US — Certificate database guidance (FSC-C###### formatting).
  21. FSC — Public Certificate Search (dashboard).
  22. FSC — Search (public beta).
  23. FSC — Search Beta (features & use).
  24. PEFC — Chain of Custody standard (overview).
  25. PEFC — What is certification (CoC basics).
  26. PEFC — Supply chain companies (benefits).
  27. Financial Times — Companies react to proposed EUDR delay to end-2026.
  28. FSC ANZ — GlobeScan study (method & countries).
  29. FSC — Consumer recognition (56% figure cited).
Back to Sustainability
Newer Post
×