Certified wood is lumber approved by a certification body as responsibly managed. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) was the first to certify wood in the US. To get certified, a timber producer must accept an audit verifying they meet rigorous standards. FSC certification is the most respected and recognized worldwide. Certified wood has a symbol with “Forest Stewardship Council Certified” on it. There are nearly 3,000 companies with chain of custody certificates in the US alone, and over 30 million acres of certified forest. The only limitation is cost.
Certified wood is lumber officially approved by a certification body as coming from a responsibly managed forest anywhere in the world. The first organization to certify wood in the United States was the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which was formed in 1993 to advance the cause of sustainable forestry. Since then, several other organizations have appeared that certify wood, such as the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. The Forest Stewardship Council certification is still the most respected and is recognized worldwide.
To get their wood certified, a timber producer must accept a visit from an official auditor. The Forest Stewardship Council works with five audit organizations in the United States, including Bureau Veritas Certification and Scientific Certification Systems, Inc. During the audit, the company verifies that the producer is operating according to rigorous standards for forest stewardship, including strong focus on workers’ rights, fully understanding their environmental impact and following well-considered management practices.
All certified wood may have a symbol that looks like a tree with a check mark on the left side. This brand also has the words “Forest Stewardship Council Certified” on it to avoid any confusion. Businesses that distribute this wood have permission from the council to use it in their branding and marketing, to help them increase sales. Many companies will go to great lengths to achieve FSC compliance, as it makes their products more attractive to environmentally conscious business owners and consumers. Indeed, there are companies, such as Ecotrust Canada, that are in the business of helping companies obtain this certification.
Finding certified wood isn’t hard to do. There are nearly 3,000 companies with chain of custody certificates in the United States alone, which means they sell certified wood from start to finish. There are also over 30 million acres of certified forest in the United States, so suppliers can basically choose where they get their certified wood from.
The only limitation on obtaining this wood appears to be whether or not a company is willing to pay for it. As the demand for responsible forest management increases, the amount of certified wood available is sure to increase and the FSC seal of approval is sure to find its way into mainstream society. Green building tax credits can help expedite the process in the United States.
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