The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a global non-governmental organization promoting responsible forest management. Established in 1993, its mission addresses deforestation and unsustainable forestry practices. The FSC map is a public tool enhancing transparency in sustainable forestry. It helps consumers and businesses locate responsibly managed forests and identify certified products, ensuring they originate from ethical and environmentally sound sources.
Understanding the FSC Map
The FSC map visually represents the global distribution of FSC-certified forests and companies holding Chain of Custody certification. This geospatial platform gathers detailed boundaries of FSC-certified forests, voluntarily provided by certificate holders. These boundaries are compiled, validated, and processed for public display.
The map displays two main types of certification: Forest Management (FM) and Chain of Custody (CoC). Forest Management certification confirms that a forest is managed in a way that preserves biological diversity, benefits local communities and workers, and remains economically viable. Chain of Custody certification provides assurance that products sold with an FSC claim originate from well-managed forests, controlled sources, or reclaimed materials. This certification tracks certified materials throughout the supply chain, from the forest to the final product.
The FSC GIS Portal, a web mapping application, allows users to access relevant geospatial information. A public map showing certified forest areas is expected in 2025, though a private internal map is currently maintained by FSC International. This portal can combine data from FSC on the Map with satellite imagery to provide insights into forest management. The map’s symbology and layers indicate different statuses or types of certification, and future updates may include elements like high conservation value areas or local communities.
Navigating the FSC Map
Accessing the online FSC map involves using its search functionalities to locate certified entities. The FSC Public Search allows users to find information on Forest Management and Chain of Custody certificates, along with project certificates and promotional licenses.
Users can search by entering any part of a license code, certificate code, local name, or organization name into the text box. Additional filters can be applied to refine search results, leading to a list of matching entries. For detailed information on an individual certificate, users can select the “Certificate Detail” option from the results list.
The certificate detail page provides information such as the main address, validity period (issue date, last update, expiration), and the standards to which the certificate has been issued. It also indicates whether the certificate includes a controlled wood due diligence system. For multi-site certificates, users can inspect individual sub-sites or group members, which is important for tracing products. The map also allows users to view which products are connected to a specific certificate and the types of FSC claims they can make, along with approved species.
The Broader Impact of FSC Certification
FSC certification promotes environmental benefits, protecting global forests for future generations. The standards expand protection of water quality, prohibit harvesting of rare old-growth forests, and prevent the loss of natural forest cover. The use of highly hazardous chemicals is also prohibited.
FSC certification also addresses social benefits by upholding the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities. The standards ensure that these communities benefit from forests and are treated fairly, with a particular focus on their rights to access, manage, and benefit from forest resources. This includes core labor requirements such as the abolition of child labor, elimination of forced labor, non-discrimination in employment, and respect for workers’ rights to associate and engage in collective bargaining.
Economically, FSC certification offers advantages for businesses and forest owners. Certified companies often gain enhanced access to markets, as demand for sustainably sourced timber and paper products frequently surpasses supply. These benefits can include price premiums, improved operational efficiency, tax benefits, subsidies, and even carbon credits. The FSC map supports these broader impacts by providing a transparent and verifiable tool for tracking and promoting sustainable forestry practices worldwide.