Sustenuto is a proud partner of the Dutch non-profit organization C2C Bouwgroep. In this role, we provided expertise in explaining the Chain of Custody (CoC) Documentation and how FSC® certification is recognized in the Cradle to Cradle Certified® Products Program. C2C Bouwgroep explains why FSC® certificates are important for C2C Certified® products as a third-party certification scheme.
What Is FSC® and Why Does It Matter?
FSC® is an international non-profit organization dedicated to protecting forests and the people and animals who depend on them. Products carrying the FSC label — such as wood, paper, and cardboard — contain materials sourced from forests managed according to strict sustainability standards.
Environmental, Social, and Economic Benefits
The strength of FSC® lies with three key aspects:
Environmental: FSC® prevents illegal logging, protects biodiversity, and preserves forests for future generations.
Social: FSC® safeguards the rights of Indigenous communities and ensures safe and fair working conditions.
Economic: FSC® supports a sustainable forestry sector in which forests remain a lasting source of income — without exploitation.
Preventing Greenwashing Through Verified Claims
A key component of the system is the Chain of Custody (CoC): a traceability mechanism that ensures every link in the supply chain can prove that the material is genuinely FSC® certified. This makes claims verifiable and prevents greenwashing. This is becoming increasingly important and in line with the Green Claim Directive.
The Role of FSC® in Circular Construction explained by the C2C Bouwgroep
The C2C Bouwgroep is a Dutch collaboration platform that unites manufacturers who are committed to creating healthy, safe, and circular building products based on the Cradle to Cradle Certified® standard. The network supports the construction sector in the Netherlands with the ambition of transitioning towards a fully circular and climate-positive built environment.
As a knowledge partner, Sustenuto contributes its expertise in sustainability strategy and Cradle to Cradle certification. With a team of accredited Cradle to Cradle Certified® Assessors, Sustenuto helps companies assess and improve their product performance in areas such as material health, product circularity, energy and emissions, water and soil stewardship, and social fairness. Read more about this framework here.
A large share of the products offered by the partners of the C2C Bouwgroep are made from wood, a renewable and biobased material that plays a central role in sustainable construction. Examples of C2C Certified® wood-based building products include:
Interior and utility doors with FSC-certified wooden parts (e.g., our client Van Vuuren)
Acoustic wall and ceiling panels
Wooden façade cladding and window frames
Flooring systems
Why do you still need an FSC® certification?
If these companies apply the Cradle to Cradle Certified framework, a third-party certification scheme that assesses products on their sustainability performance, then why still use FSC?
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) is one of the world’s best-known labels for responsible forest management. In an era where the circular economy is becoming increasingly important, FSC® certification plays a crucial role.
The role of FSC® in the circular economy
The circular economy is about closing loops and reusing resources. FSC® contributes to this by ensuring that:
Biological cycle: FSC® wood and paper are nature-based materials that can safely return to the biological cycle if the use of non-degradable additives is avoided.
Traceability: Through FSC® Chain of Custody documentation, the origin of materials becomes transparent — crucial for circular claims and responsible supply-chain management.
Responsible forest management: By managing forests responsibly, soil quality is preserved in the long term — a core principle of circularity: preventing depletion of soil and natural resources.
FSC® is recognized within the Cradle to Cradle Certified® standard
Within the Cradle to Cradle Certified® product standard, a globally recognised sustainability certification for products, products are assessed in five categories:
Material Health
Product Circularity
Clean Air & Climate Protection
Water & Soil Stewardship
Social Fairness
FSC® is recognized within the Product Circularity category. FSC®-certified materials are acknowledged as renewable resources, depending on the specific material. However, the criteria within the Cradle to Cradle Certified® Product Circularity category go beyond: certification requires assessing all materials present in a product, from circular sourcing to circular product design and end-of-life cycling plan.
This includes evaluating:
Sourcing of circular materials (renewable or technical cycling).
The extent to which materials can safely return to biological or technical cycles.
The circular business model and infrastructure in which the product operates.
A real world example
Van Vuuren’s Cradle to Cradle Certified® and FSC®-certified Doors
The Dutch construction sector accounts for a significant share of national CO₂ emissions, but it also holds the key to accelerating the transition toward circular solutions.
Van Vuuren Grou B.V., also a member of the C2C Bouwgroep, actively contributes to creating a more sustainable construction sector by producing circular products based on the Cradle to Cradle philosophy. Through its Cradle to Cradle Certified® achievement, of which the FSC® certification is an integral part, their company demonstrates this commitment.
Impact on Dutch Construction Sector
As the Dutch market leader in wooden fire-, smoke-, and sound-resistant doors, Van Vuuren has been FSC® certified for many years and has been working with the Cradle to Cradle Certified® Products Program for the past three years.
The Van Vuuren C2C Certified® Pico doors consist of at least 80% FSC®-certified material, all carrying the FSC Mix label.
Curious to learn more?
Would you like to learn more about the built environment? Read our insight about the pillars for a sustainable, efficient and circular construction sector in this article: Sustainability, Efficiency and Circularity: Pillars for the Future of Construction.
Would you like to know why Van Vuuren chose Cradle to Cradle Certified®?
Are you a building professional interested in the C2C Bouwgroep? Or would you like to start your circular products journey? Contact us, the C2C Bouwgroep or Van Vuuren for more information.
This article is an English translation of the original Dutch publication “FSC®: Zeker weten waar je materiaal vandaan komt, is essentieel voor Cradle to Cradle Certificering.”
The Dutch version is available here on the C2C Bouwgroep website.
