Forest Stewardship Council®
Information on the business purposes and units of FSC AC, IC and GD
1) Information on units
a) Policy and Standards Unit
The Policy and Standards Unit (PSU) is responsible for the development, maintenance and
interpretation of the FSC Normative Framework (policies, standards, procedures) in the areas
of:
- Accreditation of certification bodies;
- Certification of forest management, chain of custody, and controlled wood;
- Approval of National Forest Stewardship Standards.
PSU works in teams of specialized forestry experts in close cooperation with FSC members
and stakeholders.
b) Director’s Office
The Directors Office provides the managerial and administrative support required for decision
making and steering of FSC on a global level. In this context the Directors Office manages the
acquisition and retention of new and current international members and supporters of FSC
A.C. and oversees membership administration in general. It also provides administrative and
managerial support to enable the Board of Directors to pursue its duties. The Directors Office
organizes the triennial General Assembly and Board elections. It is also responsible for the
overall strategic and organizational development of FSC and for advocacy.
c) Quality Assurance Unit
The Quality Assurance Unit (QAU) aims to enhance the quality of FSC certification on the
ground, both at forest and product level, to ensure a high standard of service delivery to FSC
stakeholders and beneficiaries. Thus, the QAU achieves and demonstrates intended positive
impacts of the FSC system at large.
d) Network Unit
The main activity of the Network Unit (NU) is to support and to strengthen the global FSC Network and the FSC Regional Offices. In collaboration with both Network Partners and the Regional Offices, the unit coordinates the strategic direction of FSC to promote responsible forest
management in each region. The unit consists of staff in FSC Headquarters and Regional Offices.
Forest Stewardship Council®
e) Communications Unit
The Communications Unit (CU) engages with a variety of audiences, in different countries,
and with varying technical capacities. This requires a great deal of cultural sensitivity, flexibility
and storytelling ability. Our dedicated team possesses a pool of expertise that includes skills in
digital communications, crisis communications, content creation, graphics and multimedia –
develops internal and external communications strategies to maintain, and strengthen, organizational culture, media relations, online public information and outreach to stakeholders.
f) Business Development Unit
The Business Development Unit (BDU) works to develop strategies and services that add
value to certification, whilst supporting the FSC Network to deliver on the main mission of the
organization. The primary focus for BDU is to ensure FSC is the most globally recognized
brand for sustainably sourced forest products, and positioning the organization as a market
leader, and preferred certification scheme, for all audiences - businesses, smallholders and
consumers. Activities include the development of strong, dynamic relationships with leading
global brands to ensure the endorsement of FSC and the uptake of solid sustainability policies
around FSC; trademark services and; marketing strategies for both certificate holders and
non-certificate holders, including support and assistance to stakeholders, key accounts and
smallholders. BDU inspires people to always choose FSC.
g) Central Services Unit
The Central Services Unit (CSU) delivers back-office services to FSC Global Development
and the FSC International Center, as well as to FSC Regional Offices and FSC Network Partners. CSU provides other units with administrative support for the smooth, professional and
sound operation of FSC’s core activities. Areas of responsibility include Finances, Legal, IT,
Human Resources and facility management.
2) Purpose of FSC Asociación Civil
FSC Asociación Civil (FSC A.C.) is located in Mexico and is the mission driven global mother
organization of FSC. FSC A.C. is a membership organization. The international members of
FSC A.C. are organized in three chambers, (social, environmental and economic), and make
up FSC’s highest decision making body, the General Assembly of members. Generally put,
FSC A.C. through its Board of Directors, management and daughter organizations is responsible for pursuing the mission and purposes of FSC in line with the decisions of the General Assembly. The mission of FSC is to promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and
economically viable management of the world’s forests.
2 of 3
Forest Stewardship Council®
For further information on the governance, mission and purposes of FSC please refer to the
“About Us” section of our website and the FSC Statutes.
3) Purpose of FSC International Center GmbH
FSC International Center GmbH (FSC IC) is a not-for profit organization, located in Germany,
that contributes to the mission of FSC throughdeveloping standards and assisting with the implementation of educational and professional training programs.
4) Purpose of FSC Global Development GmbH
The focus of FSC Global Development GmbH (FSC GD)’s business purpose is to ensure that
the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) continues to lead in globally responsible forest management and that FSC-certified products are successfully recognized, demanded and marketed in marketplaces around the world. FSC GD does this by globally promoting, strengthening and/or protecting FSC, its brand and trademarks, value proposition, goals, mission and
network as well as equitable access to the benefits of the FSC system. FSC GD also contributes to securing the integrity, credibility, and transparency of FSC’s strategies, standards, systems, and structures.
3 of 3