Frequently Asked Questions

ClearSource is not a forest management standard — it is a source verification and replanting accountability program. FSC and PEFC certify forest management practices. ClearSource verifies where timber comes from and requires documented replanting in the country of harvest. The two are complementary. Many ClearSource members also hold FSC certification.

ClearSource is governed by an independent board of directors with representation from forestry science, conservation organizations, and the trade community. No single member company has governance influence over audit outcomes.

Membership is open to importers, wholesalers, distributors, and manufacturers who source timber internationally. We review applications from companies of all sizes. The standard applies to the sourcing activity, not the company size.

Initial verification typically takes 60–90 days from a complete application, depending on the complexity of the supply chain and document availability. Applicants are assigned a verification coordinator who guides them through the process.

Annual audits review updated sourcing documentation, changes in suppliers or regions, and progress on replanting commitments. Most annual audits are document-based, with on-site audits conducted every three years or when significant sourcing changes occur.

Carbon offsets and regional replanting credits do not address the ecological debt created by harvesting in a specific place. A forest in Brazil that is harvested requires replanting in Brazil. We believe that genuine accountability means restoring trees to the communities and ecosystems from which they were taken.

ClearSource requires a minimum of 5 trees planted per cubic meter of timber sourced, using native species appropriate to the harvest region. Members may work with ClearSource-approved local partners or establish their own replanting programs, subject to verification.

Members are required to report survival rates at 12 and 24 months. If rates fall below 70%, a corrective replanting plan must be submitted and verified. Persistent failures to meet survival requirements may result in membership suspension pending remediation.

Active members may use the ClearSource Verified mark on marketing materials, product labeling, website content, and import documentation. Use on product labels requires notification to ClearSource. The mark may not be used after membership suspension or lapse.

Yes. The public member directory on this site lists all current members, their verification status, and the regions they are sourcing from under the standard. Verification status is updated in real time when changes occur.