Toronto, October 15th 2007: The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Canada announces the launch of the FSCXpert (FSCX) program on October 17th, 2007 at the RGD Ontario DesignThinkers Conference in Toronto.

The FSCXpert program is an educational program and designation for graphic designers, and communications and marketing professionals committed to responsible forest management, and who have the knowledge and skills to successfully source and manage projects using Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper products.

FSC is an international certification and labeling system for paper and wood products that come from responsibly managed forests, and verified recycled sources. Environmental groups around the world agree that choosing FSC-certified paper and wood products is the best choice for our forests and for our communities.

Large corporations, financial institutions, governments and the public are increasingly recognizing the environmental, ethical and economic value of choosing responsibly sourced paper products. The Bank of Montreal, CIBC, Ernst & Young, Gap, Government of Ontario, Mattel, Scholastic Inc., Toronto Hydro, Victoria Secret, Warner Music, and Williams Sonoma have all made recent commitments to purchasing FSC-certified paper, to name a few.

Graphic designers and communications professionals must respond to the growing client demand for environmental print options. For many, both time and clients can be lost as they work to educate themselves on the growing environmental options and FSC-certification. In 2006, Bernard Hellen, Registered Graphic Designer and President of traffic marketing + design inc., approached FSC Canada to explore how FSC could provide graphic designers with the necessary knowledge and resources to respond to clients’ requests.

“As a graphic designer I would like to be able to approach my clients with an FSCX designation, demonstrating my commitment to making informed paper recommendations. Receiving an FSCX designation means that I can make choices which both satisfy my clients’ needs, and are responsible to the environment”, said Hellen. Since first approaching FSC Canada, and in partnership with C.J. Graphics, Hellen has designed a printed promotional art catalogue highlighting the connection between nature, design and print. Each sheet in the catalogue is printed on a different FSC-certified paper. Copies will be available at DesignThinkers 2007, and to all FSCXpert registrants.