How much do you know about FSC forest certification? The most complete answer is here

Many FSC certified export companies have consulted us. After getting the certificate, they want to know whether the product must be labeled? If so, how to obtain the FSC label? How to use the label? What are the requirements for posting the FSC label? - FSC certification consulting experts have sorted out the most common labeling questions and answered them as follows!

What forms does the FSC trademark include?

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has three registered trademarks: the “checkmark-and-tree” logo, the initials “FSC” and the full name “Forest Stewardship Council”.

How are the three FSC label templates defined?

There are three types of FSC labels and the correct label must be selected based on the relevant requirements of the product or material. Each label has two design options, which can be selected based on the available space on the label.

• FSC 100% - Label: For products that are 100% made from raw materials from FSC certified forests. The label text is: “[product type] from well-managed forests”.

• FSC Mix – Mixed Source Label: Used for products that are partially produced using raw materials from FSC certified forests, FSC controlled wood and recycled materials. The label text is: “[product type] from responsible sources”.

• FSC RECYCLED – Recycled Source Label: For products made only from recycled materials, the label text is: “[product type] made from recycled material”.

Does the FSC label have to be affixed to the product?

After passing the FSC certification, companies see many products with FSC labels. They want to know whether their products also need to be labeled with FSC labels to declare that they have passed the certification, and whether they meet the requirements without labels. We can tell you for sure that labeling is not a mandatory requirement, that is, even if the product has passed the certification, it is not necessary to have a label. If it is to be labeled, it must comply with the relevant requirements of this article.

How is the FSC label generated?

First, the company passes the FSC certification. When the company's information is entered into the FSC's official database, the contact email confirmed by the company during the on-site audit will receive an email with the URL for logging in to the FSC tag generation backend, as well as the login username and password.

As long as the company logs in according to the prompts in the email, they can choose label elements based on the type and style of the label they need, such as: material category, standard label or micro label, what product it is used for (paper or wood), etc. After selecting the elements, the label template can be generated to the local computer.

Who should compulsorily approve the FSC label?

All use of FSC trademarks or labels must be approved in writing by the responsible approval agency. Therefore, the approval agency must provide the corresponding supporting materials and documents. Are you still worried about not passing the factory inspection? Don't worry! Chaowang Consulting and Guidance has been engaged in factory inspection guidance and certification consulting for many years. With rich experience and connections, and familiar with the process and steps of factory inspection and certification, we can help companies solve certification problems at any time, easily deal with them, and pass them smoothly! Consultation phone: 021-51029391!

How and where can I use the FSC trademark or label?

There are two ways of using it: using it "on the product" and using it in "advertising".

Use on the certificate holder's products

"On-product use" means that the FSC label is affixed to certified forest products, product labels or packaging (calorie plates, product tags, labels, graphics, watermarks, retail packaging, plastic wrapping, etc.). Only FSC Chain of Custody certificate holders can use the FSC product label. FSC-accredited certification bodies approve and supervise all trademark and label use by certificate holders. The use of the FSC label should comply with the "FSC Product Labeling Guidelines" and the "FSC-STD-40-201 Product Labeling Requirements" assigned to FSC certificate holders by the certification body.

For promotional use by certificate holders and non-certificate holders

"Promotional use" refers to the use of the FSC trademark on promotional materials (posters, brochures, flyers and advertising pages, shelf merchandise promotions, notices and magazines, websites, invoices, business cards and letters) rather than on certain products, including the promotion of related FSC-certified forests, certified products and FSC knowledge. (Only FSC certificate holders can use it on letterheads and invoices, and there are special requirements for use. For more information, please contact the certification body listed on the FSC website.)

All FSC certificate holders (forest management, chain of custody and joint certificates) and non-certificate holders are authorized to use the FSC trademark for promotional purposes. The use of the FSC logo for promotional purposes shall comply with the following requirements:

Verify authorization and ownership

• Include the user's FSC approval number. This can be added directly below the FSC logo or in brackets after the copyright statement.

• Must contain the copyright notice: © 1996 Forest Stewardship Council AC

Graphic requirements for FSC labels

• The FSC logo size must be at least 10 mm;

• The white space (the area surrounding the “checkmark-and-tree” symbol shown in the graphics copy file) has no text or graphics;

• The logo should have normal color and contrast;

• The use of the FSC logo on promotional materials for FSC certified products should be accompanied by an approved, appropriate promotional statement;

• When trademarks are used to promote products, product references must not be confusing or misleading. It should be clear which products are certified and which are not. To prove that the products promoted are FSC certified, non-certificate holders must have an invoice or delivery note showing the certified supplier's FSC certification code.

Shanghai Chaowang wholeheartedly provides factory inspection guidance and steward services to enterprises, helping them realize the sustainable production concept of environmental protection and recycling, and making a small contribution to the green and circular development of our country. Consultation phone number: 021-51029391!