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FSC trademarks and labels
Labelling and promoting with FSC trademarks highlights certified company's achievements in responsible sourcing of forest-based materials and informs consumers and clients that their purchasing choices contribute to taking care of the world’s forests.
FSC trademarks may be used by certificate holders or promotional license holders, while FSC on-product labels may only be applied by certificate holders.
A trademark is a word, slogan, symbol or design (for example, a brand name or logo) that a person or company uses to distinguish their products or services from those offered by others. A trademark is protectable when it’s used in a distinctive way to identify a product or service. Whether you know it or not, you see trademarks all day long, whether in stores shopping, watching commercials on TV and so on.
The Forest Stewardship Council owns four registered trademarks:
→ the name "Forest Stewardship Council®"
→ the initials "FSC®"
→ the FSC logo (above left)
→ the "Forests For All Forever" – logo with text mark (above right)
In order to use these FSC trademarks, a company must have a valid FSC trademark licence agreement.
FSC labels can be found on millions of products around the world from toilet rolls to your favourite book, to that milk carton in your fridge, and other food products. What does the label mean? Simply put by choosing products with FSC labels, you are helping to take care of the world’s forests.
Each of the three labels provide information about the origin of the materials used to make the finished and labelled product. They are:
FSC 100%
All the materials used in products bearing this label are sourced from forests that have been audited by an independent third party to confirm they are managed according to FSC’s rigorous social and environmental standards. Of all the FSC labels, FSC 100% contributes most directly to FSC’s objective—forests for all, forever—and is therefore the highest mark of distinction for certified products.
FSC Recycled
Products that bear this label have been verified as being made from 100% recycled content (either post-consumer or pre-consumer reclaimed materials). The use of FSC Recycled products can help to alleviate the pressure of demand on sources of virgin material, thereby helping to protect the world’s forests.
FSC Mix
Products that bear this label are made using a mixture of materials from FSC-certified forests, recycled materials, and/or FSC controlled wood. While controlled wood is not from FSC certified forests, it mitigates the risk of the material originating from unacceptable sources.
In order to use these FSC on-product labels, a company must have a valid FSC trademark licence agreement and hold a valid FSC certificate.
Have a look at out video too!
Companies may promote FSC-certified products and their status as an FSC certificate holder with a promotional panel.
The promotional panel is used outside of certified products. It shows the checkmark-and-tree logo and the FSC acronym, FSC International's website, company's license code and promotional declaration "The mark of responsible forestry". Promotional panel can be inserted in catalogues, brochures, websites, points of sale, and to other promotional materials to promote the sale of certified products (e.g. with the indication "Ask for our FSC-certified products") or to inform company's customers and consumers about their FSC certificate.
Who can use the FSC trademarks?
If you are an company or individual looking to use the FSC trademarks, you’ll belong to one of these categories:
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Certificate holders
If you are an FSC certificate holder:
→ you have the opportunity to apply the FSC label to your products
→ you may include the FSC logo on sales and promotional materials, showing sustainable credentials to your buyers
→ you have access to the online label generator that creates on-product labels in over 60 languages, and an online marketing toolkit providing ideas for promoting certification and certified products
→ you have access to an online trademark training that covers the fundamentals of FSC trademarks and their correct use.For more information and trademark use approvals please contact your certification body or click on the link below.
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Promotional Licence Holders
If you are a company selling FSC-certified products, or an organization that uses FSC-certified products as part of your operations or business:
→ you have the opportunity to use the logo to promote the FSC-certified and labelled products you sell or use
→ you have access to the FSC trademark portal and online marketing toolkit
→ you must be licensed with your national or regional FSC trademark service provider and obtain pre-approval for trademark useFor more information please contact us or click below to learn more.
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Education, research, media and other public institutions
If you are working with media, academia or other public institutions:
→ you can incorporate the FSC logo into articles that discuss FSC, research, etc.
→ you must register with your national or regional FSC trademark service provider to use the FSC trademarksFor more information please contact us.
FSC is the world's most recognised and trusted forest-certification scheme to protect the world's forests.
New research from FSC and GlobeScan – Global Consumer Research Insights 2021, reveals that consumers want to make sustainability-focused purchasing decisions and trusted third-party certification labels play an increasingly important role in it. The research was conducted by GlobeScan and it surveyed 12,000 people in 15 countries that includes Canada, Chile, Colombia, China, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Turkey, UK and USA. See some of findings below:
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56% of global consumers recall seeing the FSC logo
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55% of global consumers understand what the FSC label stands for
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54% of global consumers trust FSC to protect forests (higher than governments, companies and individuals)
