The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international, non governmental organisation dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world’s forests. Since its foundation in 1994,FSC has grown to become the world’s most respected and widespread forest certification system. FSC’s pioneering certification system, which now covers more than 200 million hectares of forest, enables businesses and consumers to choose wood, paper and other forest products made with materials that support responsible forestry. FSC-certified forests are managed to strict environmental, social and economic standards. There are ten principles that any forest operation must adhere to before it can receive FSC forest management certification. These principles cover a broad range of issues, from maintaining high conservation values to community relations and workers’ rights, as well as monitoring the environmental and social impacts of the forest management.