FSC has approved a new trademark standard. “Requirements for use of the FSC trademarks by certificate holders” (FSC-STD-50-001) covers requirements for on-product labelling, promotional use of the trademarks and graphic rules.

The variety of FSC certified products has expanded since the trademark standards were developed in 2004, bringing with it new demands. The need for simpler guidance as well as dealing with new market needs, led to decision by the FSC Board of Directors in 2009 to undertake a review of the trademark standards.

The standard introduces new label designs that will begin to appear on products when the standard comes into effect on 1 March 2010. The three variations of the Mixed Sources labels are reduced to one along with more meaningful text for consumers. FSC is also introducing a design for mini-labels that will ensure greater consistency in using the labels on small certified products.

Among the changes, the standard introduces a new promotional panel design that will incorporate all the requirements in a format which mirrors the labels and which will be available to download from the same labeling website. FSC is introducing a trademark license code to accompany all trademark use with a format which links the code number to FSC.

The standard comes into effect on 1 March 2010 for new applicants. Operations certified before this date will need to implement the new requirements by 1 January 2011.

Following the release of the standard for FSC certificate holders, FSC will develop a standard for “non-certificate holders” which is anticipated in the course of 2010.

The new standard is available to download.