Notice | The FSC® Trademark Standard V3.0 is about to take effect; enterprises must align their compliance efforts accordingly.
On July 1, 2026, the FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council)'s latest revised "Requirements for Certificate Holders Using the FSC® Trademark" (FSC-STD-50-001 V3-0) will officially take effect. This update aims to address the global trend of increasingly stringent anti- "greenwashing" regulations, while streamlining corporate trademark usage procedures and enhancing market transparency. For FSC® certificate holders, this is not a sudden mandatory transition but a compliant upgrade that requires careful pacing.
Core change: from "restriction" to "flexibility", and from "ambiguity" to "precision"
The revision of the V3.0 standard has introduced optimizations and adjustments across multiple dimensions, with the most representative changes including the following:
Discontinue the Forests For All Forever (FFAF) brand logo
By September 2026, all FFAF logos must be removed from all products and promotional materials and replaced with other FSC® trademarks. This phase-out applies to all language and color variants of the FFAF logo, including the plain text version and the version featuring animal patterns.
The tag design is more flexible, adapting to new market demands.
- Eenlarged dimensions:
To accommodate small-packaging requirements and diverse design needs, the updated standard significantly relaxes minimum label size specifications. Vertical labels only require a width of ≥8 mm, while horizontal labels need only a height of ≥5 mm, substantially reducing compliance challenges for small-packaged products.
- Typesetting Optimization:
Under technical constraints, companies are permitted to arrange label elements in a single row, provided that all mandatory elements remain clearly legible. This adjustment grants greater flexibility in packaging design.
- Color Liberation:
As long as there is clear contrast in the background, labels can use any color (including monochrome), no longer limited to traditional green or black-and-white combinations.
Standardization of Digital Marketing: Clarifying Rules for E-commerce and Social Media
- New regulations for e-commerce platforms:
When using the terms "FSC®" or "Forest Stewardship Council" in product titles on e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Alibaba, products must be explicitly labeled as "FSC®-certified" to avoid misleading consumers.
- Simplified social media:
When using the FSC® trademark in social media posts accompanied by a clickable external link, certain promotional elements may be omitted. Additionally, the trademark does not require the registration symbols (® or ™) in social media contexts, streamlining digital marketing workflows.
New FSC® QR label added to enhance product traceability capabilities
- Officially approved alternative:
The FSC® QR label has received official certification in this standard update and serves as a viable alternative to traditional labels. By scanning the QR code, consumers can directly access the FSC® official website to obtain product traceability information.
- Responding to the EU market:
This label is particularly recommended for the EU market, as it enables companies to better meet local stringent requirements for product information transparency and serves as a powerful tool for export enterprises to enhance their competitiveness.
Transitional Arrangement: Clarify timelines to avoid compliance risks
The V3.0 standard establishes a clear transition period for enterprises, facilitating a smooth shift between the old and new standards.
Availability date:
On July 1, 2026, the V3.0 standard officially came into effect.
Transition period deadline:
January 1, 2029. Prior to this date, products and promotional materials manufactured in accordance with the previous standard (V2.1) may continue to be sold and distributed.
It is particularly important to note that the transitional exemption applies only to "stock products" and does not include hardware equipment such as printing rollers and molds. Starting July 1, 2026, all newly produced printing materials must use label designs compliant with the V3.0 standard.
Corporate Action Guide: Seize the Critical Window Period and Respond Calmly to New Regulations
In light of the upcoming standard update, certified enterprises should proactively utilize the transition period to complete compliance upgrades in phases:
- Comprehensive Review:
immediately inspect all product packaging, promotional materials, the official website, and e-commerce platforms to confirm whether the FFAF logo or any other trademarks that do not comply with the new regulations are still in use.
- Update material:
Visit the FSC® Brand Hub to download and use the latest versions of trademarks and label materials, replacing all previous versions.
- Standard Usage:
Ensure that all newly used FSC® trademarks include all mandatory elements and strictly comply with design specifications such as dimensions and colors.
- Focus on the market:
For companies targeting the EU market, it is recommended to complete adjustments as early as possible to comply with the increasingly stringent local environmental regulations.
This update to the FSC® trademark standards presents a crucial opportunity for companies to fulfill their environmental responsibilities and earn consumer trust. Compliance with the new regulations is not only a legal requirement but also serves as strong evidence of a brand's sustainable development.
About Cotecna Kaixin Certification
Beijing Cotecna Kaixin Certification Co., Ltd. ("BCK") is a third-party certification body accredited by CNAS and ANAB. Focusing on providing certification services covering quality and safety, agri-food products, intellectual property, information security, energy, and sustainability, we have served over 20,000 clients, and remains committed to delivering premium and efficient service to clients, contributing to economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility.