FSC stops trade in FSC timber and wood products in Russia and Belarus

The agency said that, due to the forestry industry’s involvement in Russia and Belarus with the armed attack, there will be no FSC-certified timber or controlled timber from the FSC Forest Stewardship Council. these countries will not be allowed to trade.

Also in its announcement, the FSC remains deeply concerned about Russia’s attack on Ukraine. With full commitment to the FSC mission and standards, and after a thorough analysis of the potential impact of withdrawing the FSC certification, the FSC International Board of Directors has agreed to suspend all certifications. trade in Russia and Belarus and block all controlled supplies of timber from these two countries.

This means that timber and forest products from Russia and Belarus cannot be used as FSC products or sold as FSC certified anywhere in the world as long as armed violence persists. continue.

FSC will continue to closely monitor the situation and stand ready to take additional measures to protect the integrity of its systems.

FSC Director General, Kim Carstensen said, “All of our thoughts are with the country and the people of Ukraine, and we share their hope in their desire for peace to return. We also express our sympathies to the people of Belarus and Russia who do not want this war.”

In order to further protect forests in Russia, the FSC will allow forest management certificate holders in Russia the option to maintain their FSC forest management certificate, but will not be allowed to trade or trade in FSC certified timber. .

Carstensen explains: ‘We must act against aggression; At the same time, we have to fulfill the mission of protecting the forest. We believe that stopping all trade in certified materials and controlling FSC, while maintaining a FSC-compliant forest management plan will meet both of these needs.”

https://fsc.org/en/newsfeed/no-fsc-material-from-russia-and-belarus-until-the-invasion-ends