Forest certification was conceived of as a way to promote sustainable forest production. It allows landowners to let customers know how they manage their forest. It also may function as a market-based mechanism to reward superior forest management. Although there are other types of forest certification, this article deals only with third-party certification. It is similar to a financial audit of a corporation.
Forest certification is a growing trend.
Environmental organizations and a few companies have driven the movement toward certification. Recently, companies and landowners from all over the world have become involved. The FSC currently runs the only internationally active third-party certification system. The FSC created a set of 10 principles and criteria covering topics such as management planning, plantation management, and environmental impact. It is up to the FSC to assure consistency among standards and to approve standards.