The Forest Stewardship Council
About UsNews / MediaFAQsRegional Standards CertifiersCertified CompaniesGreen Building MembershipDocumentsFSC International Product SearchMake a DonationSite MapContact Us
Membership

Also in this section:

Membership Home

Membership FAQs

Membership Chambers

Membership Dues

Membership Process and Requirements Checklist

Membership Chambers underline

Three Chambers of FSC

Economic Chamber

Environmental Chamber

Social Chamber

 

DESCRIPTION OF CHAMBERS

In order to balance the interests of different stakeholders, FSC is governed by three chambers with equal vote and power to make decisions cooperatively. The three chambers represent environmental, economic and social interests. Each chamber is divided into sub-chamber north and south; the US is in the “North” chamber. This guarantees equal weight of vote and influence for the different interest groups as well as for different parts of the world and economic power. The United States is in the North sub-chamber.

Members of all FSC chambers demonstrate an interest in environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable forest management, with demonstrated support of the FSC Principles and Criteria.

Individuals, research, academic, technical institutions are eligible to become members. The FSC Board will determine their designation to a particular chamber.

ECONOMIC CHAMBER

Examples Include:

  • Certification bodies
  • Consulting companies
  • Wholesalers
  • Retailers
  • Consumer associations
  • Industry and trade associations (profit or non-profit)

It is expected that:

  • Certification bodies be in the process of being accredited by FSC
  • Traders have made a commitment to have a significant percentage of their sales in certified timber by a set date in the reasonable future,
  • Producers have a significant part of their production forests certified by an FSC accredited certification body or be certified within a reasonable time frame, usually two (2) years.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMBER

Examples Include:

  • Non-Profits
  • Non-Governmental organizations
  • Research, technical, academic institutions

SOCIAL CHAMBER

Examples Include:

  • Non-Profits
  • Social Movements
  • Indigenous organizations
  • Non-Governmental organizations
  • Research, technical, academic institutions

NOTE: Government organizations are not eligible to become members. (The governing board of FSC member organizations must also be independent of government organizations.)