Index:1. Introduction to FSC2. FSC Controlling Entities3. Benefits of FSC accreditation4. Process for obtaining FSC5 certification. The problems that the FSC poses for South Africa6. Bibliography1) Introduction to FSCThe Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international non-profit organization founded in 1993 by multiple stakeholders. The primary objective of the FSC is to positively influence sustainable and responsible forest management on plantations around the world. The goal is to achieve this through standard setting and certification of competent companies, organizations and individuals who commercially produce wood products. (Wikipedia, 2014) The FSC sets specific standards that influence wood-dependent entities to use their resources responsibly and sustainably. The entity's product is then branded as FSC certified. This certification gives consumers confidence that their consumption of the product does not contribute to deforestation and other environmentally harmful processes, which non-FSC approved products would most likely do. The FSC has become the benchmark for global certification of wood products and has a standard to maintain. (Boehnke, DE, 2014) Many means to regulate deforestation have been implemented in the past, but few have been successful due to the economic and social repercussions. Some regulatory mechanisms include the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, 1975, and the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1983. The FSC promotes compromise and is the most successful initiative to date. (International Tropical Timber Organization, 2004) The FSC was founded in 1993 following the failure of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, as well as the failure of the government... half of the document... concept of sustainability a long term is difficult for the general population of South Africa to understand. “Long-term” means a long period of forestry practice until measurements can be made and the long-term sustainability of the processes can be assessed. (Boehnke, DE, 2014) The main stakeholders of the FSC are from developed countries, the damages will therefore be more compatible with developed countries. Some developing countries simply cannot comply with the Damages and compromises must be made. South Africa is still a developing country, so some damage is not feasible for us and we simply cannot meet the standards. (Boehnke, DE, 2014)6) Bibliography• Wikipedia (2014) www.wikipedia.org• FSC website (2014) www.fsc.org• Niekerk (2012) www.info.gov.za• Rogers (2011) www . mnn.com• International Tropical Timber Organization (2004) www.itto.int