What is FSC furniture? Australia, listen up.

Who is the FSC®, what is FSC® Forest week and what is FSC furniture? Australia – your questions; answered.

We’re all about creating healthy, happy habitats for both humans and animals. That’s why we’re so proud to be a partner with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®), in our mission to promote sustainability through positive social and environmental practices ( and making the very best FSC furniture, Australia!). 

What is the FSC®?

The FSC® is an international not-for-profit organisation, dedicated to protecting the forests that people and wildlife call home. Acting as the world’s most trusted forest certification scheme, the FSC® encourage sustainability standards surrounding the production of wood and paper-based products, ensuring:

🐨 The protection of animal habitats 

🌸 The maintenance of biodiversity

🌲 Protection of old-growth trees  

🪵 Zero deforestation  

😁 Protecting the rights of indigenous people 

👷 Fair wage and a safe working environment

👨‍👩‍👧 Supporting local communities

A forest and its operations are recognised for upholding these practices through FSC® certification. If a material/product is sourced from a responsibly managed forest, which meets FSC® standards, it can be FSC® certified. At Koala, we know just how important these responsibilities are, and are proud to champion FSC® certification on a number of our products!

TL;DR: FSC® certifies responsible forest management practices worldwide, supporting communities and protecting biodiversity and habitats.

What does FSC® certification mean?

In order for a forest operation to receive FSC® certification, there are ten principles concerning conservation and community rights, which must be deemed acceptable by the organisation.

Fundamentally, these principles involve the protection and maintenance of ecosystems, managed to a strict standard of positive environmental impact. Read: keeping the trees alive!

Additionally, certification signifies a responsibly managed community culture, where the well-being of workers and locals is held to a high degree of importance. Who doesn’t love that?

TL;DR: Being FSC® certified ensures that a forest operation is conducted to the highest standard of positive environmental and social impact.

What do the FSC® labels mean?

There are three FSC® labels you might see on products, which signify that they meet FSC® certification standards.

👆FSC® 100% Label – all of the forest-based materials used in that product were sourced from 100% virgin fibre from FSC® certified forests.

 ✌️FSC® Recycled Label – all of the forest-based materials used in that product are 100% recycled (both post-consumer and/or pre-consumer reclaimed materials) placing no additional pressure on forests.

 🤟® Mix Label – the product is made from a mix of materials from FSC-certified virgin fibre (from FSC-certified forests) controlled sources and/or recycled wood or fibre.

Buying FSC® labelled products supports responsible forest management, and promotes industry practitioners to maintain sustainable standards.

TL;DR: There are 3 different FSC® product labels to demonstrate responsible forestry practices.

Why is all of this important? Why should I care?

What’s great about the FSC® is how they raise standards. The organisation not only encourages the management of nature and wildlife but promotes workplace equality, safety and fairness. The FSC® opens up new opportunities for local people, in line with their principles of creating economic benefits as an organisation.

The FSC® also combats the global issue of climate change, through the elimination of deforestation, forest degradation, and illegal logging. These practices have led the FSC® to partner with and gain support from some of the world’s most respected environmental NGOs, such as Greenpeace and WWF.

So what can you do as a consumer to support the FSC® and their cause? Well, the purchase of FSC® certified products increases the demand for sustainably sourced timber and forest products, safeguarding these forests from the impacts of deforestation.

Additionally, purchasing FSC® certified products creates job opportunities and demand for labour. 

So next time you’re buying any wood or paper based products, keep an eye out for the FSC® label when making your purchasing decision! Any support goes a long way.

TL;DR: Buying FSC® labelled products encourages industry practitioners to adopt FSC® standards, decreasing deforestation and promoting social and economic well-being.

So what is FSC® Forest Week? (24 September – 30 September) 

FSC® Forest Week (#FSCForestWeek) is a week-long campaign designed to promote the efforts of the organisation. FSC® license holders (like us!) join forces worldwide to showcase their commitment to sustainable forestry efforts.

This year, we and our fellow FSC-certified companies celebrating FSC® Forest Week from September 23rd to September 30th.

Click here to read up on FSC® Forest Week

Where to buy FSC furniture Australia

Our partnership with the FSC® means a lot to us. Interim CEO of FSC® ANZ, Patricia Fitzsimons, tells us “together, with the support of partnering organisations such as Koala, FSC® helps shift the global forest trend towards sustainable use, conservation, restoration, and respect for all.”

FSC furniture Australia
The FSC®-certified Stunner Sofa Bed

We are honoured to bear the FSC® badge of certification on a number of our FSC furniture Australia products at Koala, in our commitment to promoting environmental well-being and sustainability. You will find the FSC® certification label on a number of products, including the Modern UnReal Leather Sofa, our entire Kirribilli timber furniture range, the Balmain Bed BasePaddington Bed Base, Workmate Home Office Desk, Quiet TIme Armchair and Stunner Sofa Bed

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