Are you struggling to understand the difference between FSC and EUDR? This confusion can risk your products being denied entry into Europe, so knowing the distinction is key to your success.
The main difference is simple. FSC1 is a voluntary, global certification for sustainable forestry. EUDR2 is a mandatory European Union law that prohibits products linked to deforestation from being sold in the EU. FSC can help, but it does not automatically guarantee EUDR2 compliance.
Navigating the world of regulations and certifications can feel like a full-time job. I’ve spent my entire life in the printing industry, and even I have to constantly stay updated. You might think that having an FSC logo on your book is the gold standard, and in many ways, it is. It shows a commitment to responsible sourcing that we and our clients value deeply. However, with the introduction of the EUDR, the game has changed. Simply relying on that familiar logo is no longer enough if you plan to sell in Europe. The rules are stricter, and the responsibility has shifted. To protect your business, you need to understand exactly what these changes mean. Let’s break it down into the core questions my clients have been asking.
Voluntary or compulsory?
Relying on certifications to choose suppliers is standard practice. But what if a trusted certificate is just a choice, while a new rule is a strict, unavoidable law?
FSC is a voluntary system that companies choose to join to show their commitment to sustainability. In contrast, the EUDR is a compulsory regulation. It is a legal requirement for any company wanting to place relevant products, including books, onto the EU market.
When my father ran our printing business, being environmentally conscious was a choice that set you apart. That’s the world FSC was born into. It’s a market-driven system, created by a non-governmental organization to give consumers and businesses a way to vote for better forestry with their wallets. It’s a "pull" system; demand from conscious buyers like you pulls the supply chain towards sustainability. We got our FSC certification because our clients asked for it, and we were proud to offer it. It was, and still is, a mark of our commitment.
The EUDR, however, is entirely different. It’s not a choice. It’s a "push" system enforced by a major governmental body, the European Union. The goal isn’t just to promote good practices but to legally prohibit bad ones—specifically, deforestation. If your books are printed on paper linked to deforestation after December 31, 2020, they are illegal to sell in the EU. The consequences are not about market reputation; they are about legal penalties, including fines and having your products confiscated at the border.
Here is a simple breakdown:
| Feature | Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) | EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Voluntary Certification System | Mandatory Legal Regulation |
| Authority | Non-governmental Organization (NGO) | European Union (Governmental Body) |
| Goal | Promote sustainable forestry | Prohibit deforestation-linked goods |
| Consequence | Market preference, brand reputation | Legal market access, penalties |
Who should get the certificates?
You’ve likely always trusted your printer to handle paper certifications. But the EUDR changes the game, and assuming it’s someone else’s problem could put your business in legal jeopardy.
For FSC, entities along the supply chain—forests, mills, and printers—get certified to ensure a "Chain of Custody." For EUDR, the legal liability falls on the "Operator," the company that first places the product on the EU market. For most publishers, that means you.
The FSC system works through something called the Chain of Custody (CoC). Think of it as a paper trail. The forest gets certified, the paper mill that processes the wood gets certified, and we, the printer, get certified. This chain ensures that the FSC-labeled paper in your book truly came from a responsibly managed forest. The responsibility is shared across the supply chain.
The EUDR throws this model out the window. It introduces two key roles: the "Operator" and the "Trader." The Operator is the company that first places the goods on the EU market. For a US publisher printing books with us in Asia and selling them in France, the publisher is the Operator. You carry the full legal burden. You must conduct due diligence and submit a "Due Diligence Statement" to EU authorities, declaring your product is deforestation-free. Your printer’s FSC status is helpful evidence in your risk assessment, but it is not the statement itself. The legal buck stops with you. I recently spoke with Stephanie, a Print Production Director in the US, who was shocked to learn her company, not the printer, was now legally responsible. This is a fundamental shift that everyone needs to understand.
Markets requiring the certificates?
The FSC logo is recognized globally, making it feel like a universal passport. But confusing its broad acceptance with a specific market’s legal mandate can get your shipment stopped cold.
FSC is a global system driven by market demand in many regions, including the US, Europe, and Asia. EUDR is a specific, legally binding requirement for entry only into the 27 member states of the European Union and Northern Ireland. It is not a requirement for other markets.
One of the greatest strengths of FSC is its global brand recognition. A book with an FSC logo is understood as an eco-conscious choice in a bookstore in New York, Tokyo, or London. It’s a powerful marketing tool that speaks to customers worldwide. This global reach is driven by consumer and corporate demand for sustainability.
In contrast, the EUDR is not global; it is regional and legally absolute. It acts as a gatekeeper for a single, massive market: the European Union. Whether you are selling in Germany, Spain, Italy, or any of the other 27 member countries, you must comply with the EUDR. Your products will be checked by customs authorities, and without a valid Due Diligence Statement, they won’t get in. This is where the details matter most. While an FSC certification is excellent for your risk assessment, the EUDR requires a new level of proof: precise geolocation data for the specific plot of land where the wood was harvested. This level of traceability goes beyond what standard FSC CoC provides. Your choice of a printing partner is now about more than just their FSC status; it’s about their proven ability to provide the granular data you need to legally enter the EU market.
| Aspect | Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) | EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) |
|---|---|---|
| Geographic Scope | Global | European Union (27 member states) + Northern Ireland |
| Enforcement | Market-driven, by brand and consumer preference | Legally enforced by customs & authorities of EU member states |
| Impact | Influences purchasing decisions worldwide | Determines legal access to the entire EU market bloc |
Conclusion
FSC is a voluntary global mark of sustainability. EUDR is a mandatory EU law. While FSC helps, only your own strict EUDR due diligence guarantees your books access to Europe.
