FSC flooring has seen a real rise in demand in recent years. In line with the whole eco, or green movement, we’ve seen a huge trend in recent years towards an increased demand for ethical woods to be used in wood flooring projects. This trend has been supported and made simpler for the consumer by the introduction of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) accreditation scheme.
The FSC accreditation scheme clearly identifies timber which comes from well managed and well protected sources. It concerns itself with how forests are managed; from a social, economic, ecological, cultural and spiritual viewpoint and pays respect to present and future generations in all its dealings.
FSC Forest Management Certification concerns itself with the verification and accreditation of the forest or plantation itself, whereas the Chain of Custody Certification is the system which follows the raw material all the way through its production process to the shop-front. FSC Controlled Wood certification has been brought into the equation to account for the elements of the process which are forced to involve non-certified materials. In this part of the FSC scheme any non-certified material which needs to be included in the production process is verified as adhering to the scheme’s strict guidelines.
From a suppliers point of view, while it’s not easy to become FSC certified, it’s a process that’s well worth going through. Being an FSC certified supplier is the perfect way to demonstrate to your clients and potential clients that you’re serious about responsible practices. What’s more, as a supplier, the whole FSC certification scheme gives you extra muscle and added credibility with business organisations and watchdogs.
Qualifying for FSC certification can be a costly and complicated process and involves a thorough audit by a regulatory body after which a certificate will or won’t be granted. Thankfully, Wood and Beyond passed the FSC’s in depth certification process and is proud to sport the FSC logo on our products.