A recent survey indicates that 36% of people in the UK now recognise the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo. This compares with only 24% in January 2009. The survey also shows an encouraging increase in the number of people knowingly buying FSC certified products.

Recognition of the logo is particularly high in those under the age of 45, with 46% having seen the logo before, compared with 31% in 2009 and only 21% less than three years ago. In the 16-24 age group recognition has more than quadrupled since 2007, from 9% to 40%.

The number of people knowingly purchasing FSC products has increased from 11% in 2007 to 25% in 2010. Again this is higher (32%) amongst the under 45s, with 37% of those in the 16-24 age group buying FSC products. The survey indicates that this is primarily due to the increase in paper products carrying the FSC logo, particularly tissue products and books.

Executive Director of FSC UK, Charles Thwaites comments “These statistics are very encouraging as they show a real increase in consumer awareness of FSC, particularly over the last year. Much of the credit for this must go to those retailers and manufacturers who have switched to FSC certified stock and have worked with us to promote the benefits of FSC to the British public.

“Any increase in demand feeds back through the supply chain, to the forest floor. As more consumers and retailers insist on FSC certified products, more forest managers will strive to meet FSC’s strict social, economic and environmental standards, whilst the market for illegally logged timber will diminish.“