FSC has been recognized as an international organization that provides a system for different stakeholders interested in forest issues to work towards responsible forest management.
Through the FSC system, the forest owners, managers, forest product manufacturers, local communities, non-governmental organizations and other interest groups are given equal access, voice and vote to a mechanism that is:
Democratic
Inclusive (this will include empowering groups in forest area)
Transparent
FSC can provide aditional benefits, including:
- International recognition that the forest management does not put the forest´s natural heritage at risk and that the management activities efforts are appropriate.
- The opportunity to find new markets for FSC labeled products, thus acquiring market recognition for responsible forest management.
- The opportunity for interaction and cooperation among the various players involved in responsible forest management - forest owners, social and environmental organizations - to solve the problems that forests face.
- The assurance for future generations that they will enjoy the benefits of the forest.
- The assurance that forest management practices are responsible and will be further improved.
- The assurance that ownership rights are respected.
- The assurance that wood harvesting is legal.
- The assurance that the rights of workers and indigenous communities are respected.
- The assurance that areas of natural wealth and endangered wildlife habitat are not being negatively affected.
- The opportunity to use the FSC trademark on products to demonstrate that they come from legal and well managed sources.
- The possibility of new markets for products produced as FSC.
- The possibility of benefiting from local, national or international government support for responsible forest management.
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