FSC has developed a system of forest certification and product labelling that allows consumers to identify wood and wood-based products from well-managed forests. It is not simply a case of planting a tree for each one that is harvested; the forests must be managed with due respect for the environment, the wildlife and the people who live and work in them. This is what makes the FSC system unique, ensuring that a forest is well-managed, from the protection of indigenous people's rights to the methods of felling trees.
The FSC system’s certified chain of custody tracks the timber through every stage in the supply chain from the forest to the final user. This is monitored through the invoicing process and the final label on the product has a code that confirms that the item is genuinely FSC.
Chain of Custody certificate holders range from a wide variety of sectors, and include printers, publishers, timber merchants, sawmills, manufacturers, shop-fitters and retailers to name a few.
ABRSM, the exam board of the Royal Schools of Music, chose to become FSC certified in 2012 as they felt strongly that paper used to print its publications should be responsibly sourced from FSC certified forests.
As one of the world’s largest music exam boards, ABRSM publishes both sheet music books and other resources that support those taking and preparing for its graded music exams. The organisation publishes around 150 new products and reprints approximately 500 products per year.
We use a considerable quantity of paper to print books for our customers explains Simon Mathews, Production Director at ABRSM. It’s therefore essential that we know that the paper we use comes from well-managed forests, where both the trees and the local communities surrounding them are sustained and treated with respect. Ultimately, we would like to ensure that every book we publish is produced with FSC certified materials and be given the FSC label.
The EU Timber Regulation, which stepped into force on March 3rd 2013 and made it illegal to place illegally harvested timber and timber products on the EU market, is testimony to the increasing public concern about the state of the world’s forests and timber resources.
FSC certification ensures compliance with the highest social and environmental standards on the market and gives public recognition of responsible practices while ensuring credibility with customers and business partners as well as financial institutions and watchdog organizations.
We welcome ABRSM, the exam board of the Royal Schools of Music, to FSC – their FSC certificate is music to our ears!
For more information about ABRSM, please click here.