Promotional licence holders who have demonstrated due diligence in sourcing from certified suppliers and possess a strong understanding of FSC trademark usage are now eligible to establish a trademark use management system with an internal control process. This self-approval system empowers PLHs to verify their own artworks and FSC trademark usage, reducing administrative burdens and expediting the approval process.
Representatives from Promotional Licence Holder organisations who have successfully completed the necessary training are granted the authority to conduct trademark use approvals independently. Following a three-month initial trial period, during which joint approvals are conducted, they gain the ability to self-approve their trademark usage.
This innovative approach offers several key benefits. Firstly, it provides PLHs with greater self-determination and control over their promotional materials. Streamlining the approval process significantly reduces administrative time and facilitates quicker turnaround times. Ultimately, this leads to increased utilisation of the FSC trademarks, enabling stronger communication of the FSC message to consumers.
We are delighted to announce that ALDI has become the trailblazer in this initiative, being the first organisation to achieve FSC Trademark Use Self-Approval status in Australia and New Zealand. ALDI successfully completed the three-month trial period in April 2023, demonstrating their commitment to responsible sourcing and sustainable practices.
ALDI Australia Sustainability Director, Daniel Baker says, “At ALDI, we’re serious about Making a Good Difference, and about our commitment to responsible forestry practices. Partnering with third party certifications like the FSC gives us confidence that our timber and paper products come from sustainably managed forests. Receiving FSC Trademark Use Self Approval status reflects the dedication of our team towards responsible forestry practices and allows us to easily showcase our partnership with the FSC to our customers. It was a pleasure to work alongside the FSC and receive their full support and guidance throughout the process.”
We extend our congratulations to ALDI for their pioneering efforts and commend all Promotional Licence Holders for their dedication to promoting the FSC message. Together, we are making significant strides in advancing sustainable forestry practices and ensuring the responsible management of our precious forests. Furthermore
, we are pleased to share that three additional PLHs from the FSC ANZ community have completed their self-approval training and are currently in their three-month trial period.
If you have any questions or would like to explore the benefits of FSC Trademark Use Self-Approval, please reach out to our team at trademarks@au.fsc.org. We value the continued partnership of our promotional licence holders and look forward to further strengthening our collective impact in the sustainable forest economy.