Open Knowledge (FSC OK)

More than half of the forests in Sweden are FSC-certified. FSC is based on a democratic dialogue among stakeholders representing social, environmental, and economic interests. Our FSC members decide on the forest management standard which the certified forest companies are required to follow; this is the foundation of FSC. Equally important is the ability to make complaints. FSC has a unique system in which an individual person or organisation can bring forward a complaint on a certified forest company’s activities. In the public-certification reports, it is also possible to monitor the result of the audit of a certified company. The complaints system is also an important tool in the development of the FSC system. Used in the right way, it can improve our system. FSC was established in Sweden 20 years ago. Through our huge certified forest area and active environmental organisations, we have acquired extensive experience in the use of the entire range of FSC’s complaints system, from the local to the international level. In this report, you can read how the system works in practice from the perspective of the various actors in complaint cases. The report also contains our recommendations for improvements to the complaints system.