Why are FSC-certified products priced higher?

Consumer awareness of FSC has grown and FSC-certified products has become increasingly popular. But there’s no denying that these items often come at a higher price than their non-FSC counterparts, so it begs the question: why is this the case?

Products with the FSC label are priced higher for several reasons:

♦ Firstly, FSC certification ensures that the products originate from sustainably managed forests, necessitating compliance with stringent environmental and social standards throughout the harvesting and processing phases. These standards increase production costs, including the utilization of pricier harvesting methods, the employment of skilled labor, and the implementation of comprehensive monitoring and audits.

♦ Secondly, FSC certification mandates the regulation and certification of the entire supply chain, spanning from the forest to the final product. This necessitates full traceability and documentation of raw material origins, thereby ensuring transparency. However, integrating such transparency into the supply chain requires additional resources, leading to elevated costs.

♦ Thirdly, FSC certification entails audits and certification procedures conducted by specialized assessors. To fulfill their roles effectively, these assessors require relevant training and expertise, further contributing to the overall cost of certification.

♦ Additionally, the scarcity and geographic distribution of FSC-certified forests, which may coincide with the primary sources of required wood or bamboo, can result in limited supply and, consequently, increased prices.

♦ Moreover, market demand may occasionally outpace the supply for FSC-certified products, causing shortages and subsequent price hikes.