What is the difference between SVLK and FSC Teak?

When choosing the right teak for your outdoor living spaces, you might come across terms like SVLK and FSC. Both are important, but they serve different purposes in ensuring your furniture is both beautiful and responsibly sourced. Here's a simpler breakdown of what each means for you:

SVLK (Sistem Verifikasi Legalitas Kayu)

What it is: This is a certification specific to Indonesia, ensuring that the teak wood is legally harvested and sold. It's all about making sure the wood's journey from forest to your backyard follows the law.
Why it matters: By choosing SVLK-certified teak, you're helping to fight against illegal logging and ensuring that the forests in Indonesia are protected for future generations. It's a way to know your furniture comes from a good place.

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)

What it is: This certification has a global reach, setting standards for responsibly managed forests worldwide. FSC certification doesn't just look at the legality of the wood but also considers environmental and social impacts.
Why it matters: FSC-certified teak means your furniture supports forests that are managed with care for the environment, wildlife, and the people who live and work there. It's about making a positive impact well beyond your garden.

The Main Differences

Scope: SVLK is all about legal compliance in Indonesia, while FSC takes a broader look at sustainable and ethical practices globally.
Impact: Choosing SVLK ensures your teak is legally sourced from Indonesia. Opting for FSC means you're supporting a wide range of good practices, from protecting biodiversity to supporting local communities.

In essence, both certifications help protect our planet and ensure the teak in your outdoor furniture is sourced in a way that you can feel good about. Whether it's ensuring legal compliance with SVLK or promoting broader sustainable practices with FSC, you're making a choice that benefits the environment and future generations. At Neighbor, we believe in creating beautiful outdoor spaces with materials that not only look great but also contribute positively to the world around us.