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FSC CoC CertificationHorizon has long understood the importance of healthy environmental concerns. Their enthusiasm for the appropriate use of resources resulted in the development of the EverGreen Initiative in the year 2000. This initiative spells out Horizon’s commitment to use all resources conservatively and efficiently in all aspects of their business endeavors. For more information, please visit our EverGreen Environment page. Now, to reinforce their already strong commitment to responsible practices, Horizon has proudly obtained FSC CoC Certification. The Forest Stewardship Council recognizes that Horizon meets their stringent requirements for the Chain–of-Custody standards. What is FSC ?The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a non-profit, independent, non-government, global organization that focuses on supporting the responsible management of forests throughout the world. The Mission of FSC states: “The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) shall promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world's forests." Environmentally appropriate forest management ensures that the harvest of timber and non-timber products maintains the forest's biodiversity, productivity and ecological processes. Socially beneficial forest management helps both local people and society at large to enjoy long term benefits and also provides strong incentives to local people to sustain the forest resources and adhere to long-term management plans. Economically viable forest management means that forest operations are structured and managed so as to be sufficiently profitable, without generating financial profit at the expense of the forest resources, the ecosystem or affected communities. The tension between the need to generate adequate financial returns and the principles of responsible forest operations can be reduced through efforts to market forest products for their best value.” To learn more about FSC visit www.fsc.org and www.fscus.org. What does Chain of Custody (CoC) mean?According to FSC: Chain-of-Custody (COC) is the path taken by raw materials harvested from an FSC-certified source through processing, manufacturing, distribution, and printing until it is a final product ready for sale to the end consumer. “While consumers already select forest products based on species, grade, visual characteristics, etc., they now can identify products that provide an assurance of social and environmental responsibility on the part of the producer.” Simply stated, Chain of Custody means: when Horizon purchases FSC-certified wood, they can offer their customers the assurance that any FSC-certified wood products purchased from Horizon have come from a forest that is recognized as living up to FSC’s standards for responsible forest management. What is Certification?Certification is voluntary. Companies that have completed the certification process have been audited by a third party certifier. In Horizon’s case, the independent assessment of their compliance with FSC’s Chain-of-Custody standards was completed by SCS – Scientific Certification Systems. SCS, located in Emeryville, California, is one of the leading certifying bodies in the United States. The organization has been accredited by FSC, recognizing that SCS will be competent and independent in providing certification services which adhere to the FSC standards. SCS states, “Since the mid-1990s, SCS has offered FSC certification to wood product manufacturers. Our Chain-of-Custody Certification division has audited and certified over 500 manufacturers, distributors, and retailers who make or carry certified wood products. SCS has issued chain-of-custody certificates in over 29 countries spanning 5 continents.” Horizon is happy to join the ranks of FSC Certified organizations. It is one more way of assuring their customers they are committed to promoting responsible stewardship of the world’s forests.
Horizon Wood’s Policy for Sourcing Wood for FSC Products - click here |
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Mailing Address: Box 471 • Ridgway, PA 15853