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FSC Check
FSC Check is a risk-based screening tool used to review individuals or organizations applying for FSC certification or membership. It verifies that applicants’ values and activities align with FSC’s core requirements by collecting applicants’ information and assessing their potential involvement in unacceptable activities such as illegal harvesting, human rights violations, or links to disassociated or blocked companies. Completion of FSC Check is mandatory before applicants can proceed with their certification or membership journeys.
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How It Works
FSC Check is based on FSC’s Disclosure Requirements for Association (FSC-PRO-10-004), which uses an online dynamic questionnaire to identify whether new applicants for FSC certification or membership have any links to the unacceptable activities defined in the FSC Policy for Association. The tool automatically crosschecks the information submitted by applicants with FSC’s internal databases. If the system detects potential risks, FSC will investigate the application and may decide to not proceed with the association.
To learn more about how to complete the FSC Check process, click here.
* Currently, FSC Check is not being applied to existing FSC members and certificate holders.
Integration into the system
FSC Check is integrated into FSC Connect, ensuring new applicants can access it easily and without delays as soon as their profile is created in the FSC database.
For certification applicants:
FSC Check is a mandatory step before signing the Trademark License Agreement (TLA).
FSC Check is a mandatory step before signing the Trademark License Agreement (TLA).
For new membership applicants:
FSC Check is a mandatory step within the application process.
FSC Check is a mandatory step within the application process.
Application Steps
step
01
New applicant added to the FSC’s database
The certification body or FSC membership team starts the process by creating a new applicant in FSC’s certification/membership database.
step
02
Role of the new applicant
The applicant is invited to answer the questionnaire in FSC Check and submit the requested information.
step
03
Information processing
The applicant’s information is automatically cross-checked against FSC’s databases to assess risk levels. The assessment outcome is graded as low or high risk.
Implications of risk levels
Low risk
Certification applicants move to signing the TLA; membership applications are forwarded to the relevant FSC team.
High risk
FSC conducts a manual review and may request more information or seek an independent expert opinion. If the manual review finds low risk, the applicant proceeds normally. If the applicant remains high risk, FSC may reject the application.
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Data protection
To protect applicant data, FSC Check is built to ISO standards and includes multiple data protection controls. FSC follows General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), meaning all stored information is handled according to strict data handling policies. Sensitive applicant data is stored in the FSC Certification Database and can only be accessed by a small group of FSC staff who need it for further risk review.
Publication of applicant information
To ensure transparency, FSC publishes basic details of all new applicants on the FSC Certificate Public Dashboard for 30 days. The questionnaire responses and review conclusions are not published. A list of certification and membership applicants currently going through FSC Check can be found here.