ICM - Leeds Design Agency

At ICM we strive to see that the needs of the client are catered for. Increasingly, small and large companies are wanting to ensure that their environmental and ethical obligations are met. As part of our services we can offer different materials, delivery and even design that will meet these important obligations. One of the ways that we can meet these important targets is by recommending FSC accredited paper for print products. Have a read below and see how it may help your company protect the resources of tomorrow.

What is the FSC?
FSC stands for Forest Steward Council and is an international, non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world’s forests. Founded in 1993 in response to public concern about deforestation and demand for a trustworthy wood-labelling scheme. There are national working groups more than 50 countries including the UK.

It provides a standard, trademark and assurance for companies and organisations interested in responsible forestry. Products bearing the FSC Logo are there to assure companies and their clients that the materials used come from forests that are managed and replenished to ensure the needs of the present and the future

How does FSC implement this?
FSC developed a Chain of Custody Process that ensures the trees cut from FSC managed forests go through a certified process. This process ensures that all environmental and social obligations have been followed and are allowed the stamp of approval – the FSC Logo.

Where does the FSC logo go and what does it mean?
The FSC logo may only be used on any product that is printed on FSC certified paper and is printed using an FSC certified printer. It is also appears on timber and other items that are FSC certified. In most cases, underneath the FSC logo it will contain a certification number. This contains the printers ID number, percentage of post consumer waste plus any other recycled information. This information helps verify that the Chain of Custody process has been followed.

There are many ways in which you can support the FSC. Consumers you can buy FSC certified products, printers can become FSC certified and get their own Logo and FSC number and companies can request that their products are printed using FSC accredited material

Why choose FSC products? 10 Good reasons to choose FSC
• You can buy wood products, from all types of forest, with a clear conscience when you see the FSC logo. FSC certified forests are managed with consideration for people, wildlife and the environment.
• The FSC label guarantees that the trees that are harvested are replaced or allowed to regenerate naturally.
• Parts of the forest are protected entirely, in order to protect rare animals and plants.
• FSC protects the rights of indigenous people to use the forest. If they have sacred sites in the forest these are exempt from felling.
• The forest owner must use local workers to run the forest, and provide training, safety equipment and a decent salary. The forest owner is often obliged to support the community in other ways, such as through the development of schools.
• FSC is a market-based initiative which also ensures better conditions for the forest and the people whose livelihoods depend on it
• FSC gives an assurance that future generations will be able to enjoy the benefits of the forest.
• All the wood is tracked from the forest to the store. Every link between the forest and the consumer is certified to make it clearly identifiable which wood is FSC certified and which is not.
• FSC is the only wood certification scheme endorsed by the major environmental charities, including WWF, Greenpeace and The Woodland Trust
• The FSC label is not only available on wood for furniture. It can also be found on floors, decking, paper, printed matter, charcoal, kitchen utensils, even venison

Worth mentioning
Only 7 percent of the world’s productive forests are FSC certified. This global organisation, active in 79 countries, has an extremely ambitious agenda, for more information on the FSC and its aims you can visit The FSC UK Website