Forest Protection Council (FPC) Certification
Forests protected under credible schemes are uniquely valuable. They sustain extraordinary biodiversity, stabilize soils, regulate water cycles, store carbon, and provide livelihoods for rural communities. Yet, with growing populations and unplanned urbanization, forest areas are shrinking and degrading. Only a small portion of the world’s forests is effectively protected within national parks or conservation areas. In this context, the Forest Protection Council (FPC) exists to ensure that forests are responsibly managed and conserved while enabling fair, traceable, and legal trade in forest products.
FPC was formed by stakeholders who produce, distribute, and use forest products, with a clear mission: to promote responsible and sustainable forest management. Through rigorous standards, independent evaluations, and transparent labeling, FPC certification confirms that wood and non-wood forest products originate from forests managed to high environmental, social, and economic benchmarks. Products bearing the FPC label signal to consumers and buyers that natural forests and native vegetation are safeguarded, hazardous pesticides are avoided, genetically modified trees are not cultivated, and the rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities are respected.
Our laboratory and certification company supports producers, landowners, and brands in demonstrating their commitments. We perform impartial assessments, testing, audits, and chain-of-custody verifications so organizations can credibly prove that their forest management and sourcing align with internationally accepted best practices.
Forest Certification Types
FPC recognizes four complementary certification pathways that together cover forest stewardship as well as the movement of certified materials through the market:
- Forest Management (FM) Certification: Evaluates the management of a defined forest area against agreed standards. Even if a manager owns or oversees multiple tracts, certification can apply to a single, clearly bounded unit. FM standards cover legal compliance, conservation of high conservation value areas, biodiversity protection, soil and water safeguards, worker safety, and engagement with local and Indigenous communities.
- Chain of Custody (CoC) Certification: Provides verified traceability of certified material from the forest to the finished product. Manufacturers, mills, distributors, printers, converters, and retailers use CoC to substantiate claims on labels and documents, assuring buyers that “certified” products truly originate from responsibly managed forests.
- Group Certification: Reduces the per-owner cost of certification by combining multiple forest properties under one professionally managed group scheme. A designated group manager coordinates documentation, monitoring, and internal control procedures across participating holdings while maintaining independence from land ownership.
- Fiber Sourcing / Controlled Sourcing Standard: Tailored for organizations that procure wood but do not own or manage forestland. It ensures that all inputs—regardless of the source forest’s certification status—come from legal and responsible origins. Requirements include implementing best management practices to protect water quality, encouraging biodiversity, and conducting landowner outreach to promote sustainable practices.
Together, these certification types create a robust framework: forests are managed well; materials are tracked; smallholders can participate affordably; and buyers are protected against illegal or controversial sources.
Why Choose FPC Certification?
Deforestation and forest degradation contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss. With an estimated eight million hectares of forest lost each year and alarming species declines, credible certification is no longer optional—it is essential. FPC certification delivers tangible value:
- Legal Assurance: Substantially reduces the risk of illegal timber entering your supply chain. FPC certification supports compliance with due-diligence obligations and timber legality regulations in major markets.
- Market Access & Revenue Growth: Opens doors to new buyers and procurement programs that require certified products. Manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers strengthen reputations and deepen customer loyalty with clear, responsible sourcing claims.
- Environmental Impact: Certified areas prohibit deforestation, forest conversion, and illegal logging; protect high conservation value forests; and promote restoration of degraded lands—contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
- Social Benefits: Standards safeguard worker rights, require health and safety measures, and respect the rights and knowledge of Indigenous peoples and local communities.
- Brand Trust: The FPC label is a strong market signal. Research consistently shows that consumers recognize responsible forestry marks and prefer certified products when given a choice.
- Process Improvement: Certification acts as a catalyst for better planning, stronger supply chains, measurable KPIs, and continuous improvement in forest and mill operations.
In short, FPC links forests to end-users through verified claims, helping everyone—from landowners to global brands—prove that their products come from responsible sources.
How to Obtain FPC Certification
While each certification type has specific requirements, the overall pathway follows a transparent, step-by-step process. Our accredited team guides you from readiness to recognition:
- Select the Certification Scope: Choose FM, CoC, Group, or Fiber Sourcing—individually or in combination—based on your operations and goals.
- Engage with Our Team: We review your forest unit or supply chain, outline applicable FPC principles and criteria, and explain documentation needs.
- Prepare Documentation & Systems: Compile forest management plans, maps, legal records, harvesting schedules, HCV assessments, worker safety protocols, and stakeholder engagement records. For CoC, establish material accounting, segregation/transfer systems, and sales claim controls.
- Undergo an On-Site Audit: Independent auditors evaluate field performance, interview staff and stakeholders, and verify documentation and traceability systems.
- Certification Decision: Findings are reviewed against FPC standards. If non-conformities exist, corrective actions are agreed with clear timelines.
- Issuance & Label Use: Upon successful closure of findings, a certificate is granted, and you receive guidelines for using the FPC label and claims.
- Surveillance & Renewals: Periodic surveillance audits (and re-certification on a set cycle) ensure ongoing conformity and continuous improvement.
For larger estates and complex international projects, our global team coordinates multi-site assessments, speaks the local language, and understands regional contexts—delivering consistent, efficient certification outcomes.
