Much like renewable energy, which is mixed with non-renewable sources on the electrical grid, FSC allows certified manufacturers to mix wood and fiber from FSC certified forests with non-certified materials to produce ‘FSC Mix’ labeled products. But FSC has an additional safeguard - requiring that non-certified materials be controlled to reduce the risk of sourcing from objectionable forestry practices (such as harvesting that threatens high conservation values or the conversion of forests to non-forest uses). This control of non-certified forest materials is required whether the materials are mixed in as part of a percentage claim or over time as part of a credit system (where FSC Mix claims are equal to the amount of FSC-certified and recycled inputs over a given period). The material subject to this risk mitigation is referred to as Controlled Wood.

For more information about Controlled Wood, please visit the Forest Stewardship Council US website: https://us.fsc.org/en-us/certification/controlled-wood.