From www.FSC.org

FSC is an independent, non-governmental, not for profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests.
It provides standard setting, trademark assurance and accreditation services for companies and organizations interested in responsible forestry.
Products carrying the FSC label are independently certified to assure consumers that they come from forests that are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations.

Trying to do the right thing and buying responsibly produced products can be confusing. The FSC label makes it easy to make the right choice when buying timber or paper products. Here is why choosing FSC makes a difference:

Only FSC

• prohibits conversion of natural forests or other habitat around the world
• prohibits the use of highly hazardous pesticides around the world
• prohibits the cultivation of genetically modified trees (GMOs)
• respects the right of indigenous peoples around the world
• controls each certified operation at least once a year – and if they are found not to comply, the certificate is withdrawn

Check out the FSC Principles and Criteria for more detail about FSC's requirements.

This is why FSC is the only forest certification system that is supported by all major environmental groups. And a number of certification assessments, such as the US and the Australian green building council only accept FSC as proof of sustainability.

All FSC certified forests must comply with FSC’s rules about how the forests should and should not be managed. When a forester decides to become FSC certified, he or she will make changes to comply with the relevant FSC requirements and become FSC certified. This is how FSC has a direct and permanent positive impact on the world’s forests and the people living from, in and around the forest.