The Forest Stewardship council (FSC) develops standards for responsible forest management through a process of consultation. It accredits organisations who can offer certification to forest managers meeting these standards or to manufacturers and others who use FSC certified material in producing wood-based products. It also manages a trademark system that allows companies and organisations meeting FSC standards to gain recognition in their respective market places.

Formed in 1993, FSC is an independent, not for profit, membership based organisation. It brings together people interested in forests from an environmental perspective, a social perspective and an economical perspective. FSC provides a forum where these people can agree on principles and standards for responsible management. It provides a process that allows companies adhering to these standards to be recognised in the community and by their end customers.

The FSC mission is to promote environmentally appropriate, socially benificial and environmentally viable management of the worlds forests. Its standards are based on 10 principles for responsible forestry these cover: compliance with laws, tenure and use rights, indigenous peoples' rights, workers' rights and and community relations, benefits from the forests, environmental impact management planning, monitoring and assessment, and maintenance of high conservation value of forests.