Dear reader!

As FSC certification grows, so does the number of different rules - and the confusion among certified companies. This issue of Certified Wood Update untangles the current key questions related to the FSC chain of custody requirements.

FSC is introducing a new approach to avoid "greenwashing" by companies with a partial FSC certificate, but the proposed measures may lead to blacklisting of many companies for obscure reasons.

On the positive side, the FSC has created an online system for the assistance of FSC trademark users. Goodbye to trouble with creating your FSC labels!

 Anne-Sofie Forfang

Home furnishing giant IKEA now has one more regular supplier of FSC certified furniture parts in Poland. The company "Swedwood Poland - Skoczow plant" has received an FSC chain of custody certificate covering its production of glueboards, frames and drawer sides. Read more

According to the ISEAL Alliance, the FSC and NEPCon's FSC partner the Rainforest Alliance have reached the highest standards of ethical trade. Both organizations comply with the ISEAL code of conduct for social and environmental standard setting. Read more   

Yet another standard will soon be added to the already large pile of rules applicable to FSC chain of custody certification. We describe the deadlines and provide essential guidance to companies struggling to find their way through the maze of policies. Read more 

New figures released by Transparency International show that corruption remains widespread in Russia and most of Eastern Europe. This implies increased requirements to evaluate risks when sourcing wood from non-controversial sources as defined by the FSC and PEFC systems. Read more

The FSC has launched an online platform containing graphical trademark materials as well as guidance for on-product and promotional use of the FSC trademarks Read more

As from New Year, some assembled products containing non-certified parts may no longer be sold as FSC-certified. Producers may find themselves hard at work to comply with the requirements. Read more

The FSC policy for partial certification has been revised, in response to stakeholder concerns over 'greenwashing' by partially certified operations. Read more

Last chance to sign up: NEPCon is organizing an FSC training course on chain of custody and controlled wood auditing on 20-22 November in Denmark. The training is conducted in English language and provides insight into the rules and the auditing process Read more

We have re-designed our homepage to become more informative and user-friendly, and updated its contents to reflect all of the services which we are providing. More language versions will be added soon. Check it out at www.nepcon.net

Don't miss it: The next FSC Global Paper Forum will be held in Germany during 9-10 June 2008. It is organized in connection with Drupa, the world's leading trade fair for the paper and printing business.  Find more information at www.writingthefuture.org

... that the first Bible printed on FSC-certified and recycled paper is already available in the marketplace? The publisher Thomas Nelson Inc. worked with its FSC certified paper manufacturer, Domtar, to develop a new environmentally responsible paper grade specifically suited for the lightweight paper requirements of Bible paper. The FSC has more