WOODCARVING & ACCESSORIES

Precisely What Does FSC Certified Timber Mean?

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an intercontinental, non-governmental charitable organisation, created in 1993 to support responsible management of all of the Earth’s forests. Different countries have branches of the organisation operating in them.

The major benefit of the FSC is that forests are protected for generations to come and people understand that when buying wood that’s FSC certified, they are not contributing to deforestation and climate change.

Deforestation is a major issue for the entire world. If forests are not properly managed, we will wind up losing an irreplaceable and crucial part of the world’s ecosystem. This needless to say would be a problem on a world scale and one that we must prevent.

Illegal logging is one part of the problem. People desperate for money chop down virgin forest and clear trees faster than they can be replaced. No regard is given to local wildlife or native peoples that depend on the forest for all of their needs. The sad thing is some of this wood will find its way into the UK where end users are sometimes ignorant as to where the wood originates from.

People can trust the FSC labelling of wood. The certification relates to forest management and chain of custody. A well managed forest will be maintained with concern for wildlife, people and the environment and trees that have been cut down will be replaced by natural means or replanted. Areas of the forest will be protected against logging to protect the rare plants and animals that are part of it and to protect holy sites of native people. Workers will be sourced locally, trained properly and paid fairly.

The chain of custody monitors the movement of the wood from forest to end supplier. Every link along the way is tracked and certified to ensure that everyone is compliant with the FSC’s priciples.

Shoppers are able to see the FSC logo (a tree which has a tick) on anything from wooden furniture, cedar cladding and oak beams to charcoal and venison.

If you’re purchasing wood or wooden producs, make sure that they contain the FSC logo and this means that you’ll be sure to have an environmentally sound product.
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