Membership FAQs
Directory of FAQs
What is the FSC?
What is membership?
Why is FSC membership structured to ensure chamber balance?
How do I become a member?
Why should I become an FSC member?
What does it cost to be a Member?
Membership or Certification?
Who can become an FSC Member?
Who are the members of FSC?
Will I receive regular information from FSC?
What is the FSC?
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international, non-profit organization that assures environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable forest management through independent third-party certification and labeling of wood, paper and other forest products.
Based in Bonn, Germany, FSC was founded in 1993 in response to public concern about deforestation and demand for a trustworthy wood-labeling system. FSC sets rigorous forest management and chain of custody standards, which are then used by third-party auditors to ensure that those standards are being met in the management of forests and the production of forest products. FSC’s on-product labeling allows businesses and consumers to choose products from well-managed forests—those that are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations. FSC is also the only forest certification organization endorsed by such major environmental organizations as the World Wildlife Fund, National Wildlife Federation and Greenpeace.
View FSC’s exponential growth in recent years.
FSC’s parent organization is FSC-Association Civil (FSC A.C.) which has three subsidiary organizations: FSC International Center( FSC-IC), Accreditation Services International (ASI) and FSC Global Development (FSC GD)
FSC-US is the national initiative of FSC and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
back to top
What is membership?
FSC is a membership association and is governed by its members.
Members represent their interests based on their professional activities, regardless of the type of membership (individual or organizational). The diversity of interests is reflected in the three-chamber structure that forms FSC membership: economic, environmental and social.
When applying for membership, stakeholders select the following:
- Type: Individual or Organizational
- Chamber: Environmental, Social or Economic
- Sub-chamber: North or South, based on whether you are legally registered in a high income country (North) or non high-income country (South), according to the World Bank definition. The United States is in the Northern sub-chamber.
FSC members have the right to vote on policy, standards and governance, including the election of FSC board members. FSC members based in the United States may also run for, and vote for, the FSC-US Board.
FSC members are encouraged to attend the FSC General Assembly, the triennial forum at which motions are presented and voted upon by members.
The votes of all individual members in each sub-chamber represent only 10% of the total vote of the sub chamber, while the votes of all member organizations make up the other 90%.
FSC members pay annual membership dues according to their type of membership.
back to top
Why is FSC membership structured to ensure chamber balance?
In order to balance the interests of different stakeholders, FSC is governed by three chambers — each with equal vote and power — that make decisions cooperatively. The three chambers represent environmental, economic and social interests. Each chamber in turn is divided into two sub-chambers — Global North and Global South — to guarantee equal weight of vote and influence among the various countries and economic powers represented. Members based in the United States are in the Global North sub-chamber.
back to top
How do I become a member?
The Membership Process and Requirements Checklist page details the steps for becoming a member. This includes:
- Filling out the application form
- Providing two letters of support from current FSC members
- Providing all supporting information
- Submitting the application and materials to FSC-US
back to top
Why should I become an FSC member?
FSC relies on the diversity of our members to give us voice, balance and integrity.
In fact, FSC members are fundamental to the entire FSC enterprise and vision. Without a diverse and active membership representing social, environmental and business interests, FSC could not set the high yet realistic standards for forest management that have made FSC the world’s leading forest certification system.
But not all FSC certificate holders and environmental and social stakeholders are members. Many simply do not realize that membership is an option — nor how important it is for FSC’s success.
We need your participation as a member. The entire FSC system is built on the foundation of a strong and involved, three-chamber membership. With each new member, FSC becomes stronger and more grounded in true democracy. Please join us in our mission to see that more of the world’s forests are managed to FSC’s high environmental and social standards.
Reasons for becoming an FSC member:
- To show that you stand behind the mission and values of FSC — very important as FSC demonstrates the breadth and commitment of its diverse membership
- To show your peers that you or your organization or business support responsible management of the world’s forests — key to fulfilling your NGO’s mission or your company’s social and environmental commitments
- To give you an equal voice in governance and standards setting. As a member, you are eligible to sit on FSC-US and FSC-AC (International) Board of Directors, and you can vote policy motions at FSC’s General Assembly, the main forum for FSC decision-making
- To join a network of progressive peers who want to help “change the world” through the power of the marketplace.
back to top
What does it cost to be a Member?
The Membership Dues page details FSC’s fee structure.
back to top
Membership or Certification?
Being a FSC member and FSC certificate holder are often confused. Both are ways to support the work of FSC.
When you become a FSC member, you show you support the principles of the FSC and the improvement of forest management around the world. FSC members have the right to vote on policy, standards and governance, including the election of FSC board members. FSC members based in the United States may also run for, and vote for, the FSC-US Board.
Being an FSC certificate holder means that your business has been certified by a third-party accredited FSC certifier and that it complies with the standards and policies of the FSC. FSC certification helps to protect your brand and reputation and it allows you to access highly environmentally sensitive markets. Certificate holders are encouraged to become members — but only membership conveys voting rights on standards, policy and governance and signals your commitment to a robust FSC system.
back to top
Who can become an FSC Member?
Individuals and organizations (both businesses and non-profit) who support the idea of improved forest management around the world can become an FSC member. All members should demonstrate an active commitment to FSC and its Principles and Criteria.
Government agencies and officials are not able to become members of FSC. At its founding in 1993, FSC was strongly encouraged — by governments — to exclude governments from its governance to ensure continuing independence from government influence and to maintain a “non-state” governance, without any sovereign influence. Governments are not, however, prevented from participating in FSC workgroups and standards and policy setting, and are encouraged to participate as observers in the FSC General Assembly.
back to top
Who are the members of FSC?
FSC membership consists of a diverse group of representatives from environmental and social groups, the timber trade and the forestry profession, indigenous peoples’ organizations, corporations and businesses, community forestry groups, third party Certifying Bodies, and other organizations from around the world.
Click here for a list of all FSC Members.
FSC-US does not have a separate membership program; all members based in the United States are members of FSC-AC.
Click here for a list of FSC Members in the United States.
back to top
Will I receive regular information from FSC?
FSC maintains special email for a and a dedicated intranet to keep members updated on upcoming ASI audits, drafts of standards, newly accredited FSC working groups, Board of Director nominations and elections, and other information. Members also receive e-newsletters from FSC-AC and FSC-US.
back to top
|
