The Rainforest Alliance (RA) is responsible for FSC Certification. RA is one of the founders of the Forest Stewardship Council and the world's largest FSC Forestland certifier. Its SmartWood program sets the standard for credibility in auditing environmentally and socially responsible forest practice.

SmartWood assess forest management using the FSC principles, criteria, and standards through an evaluative process. This allows FSC to remain outside of the assessment process, and supports the integrity of the standard, and of the FSC system. SmartWood evaluates both forest management activities (forest certification) and tracking of forest products (COC: Chain-Of-Custody certification).