FSC Announces No FSC-Certified Materials or Controlled Wood from Russia or Belarus Permitted to be Traded

On Tuesday (3-8-22,) the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) announced that because of the association of the forest sector in Russia and Belarus with armed invasion, no FSC-certified materials or controlled wood from these countries will be permitted to be traded. The announcement says that FSC remains deeply concerned about Russia’s aggressive invasion of Ukraine and stands in solidarity with all victims of this violence.

With full commitment to FSC’s mission and standards, and after a thorough analysis of the potential impact of withdrawal of FSC certification, the FSC International Board of Directors has agreed to suspend all trading certificates in Russia and Belarus and to block all controlled wood sourcing from the two countries.

This means that wood and forest products from Russia and Belarus cannot be used in FSC products or be sold as FSC certified anywhere in the world as long as the violence continues. FSC will continue to closely monitor the situation and is ready to take additional measures to protect the integrity of its system.

In a statement, FSC Director General, Kim Carstensen said, “All our thoughts are with Ukraine and its people, and we share their hopes for a return to peace. We also express our sympathy with those people in Belarus and Russia who do not want this war.”

To continue to protect forests in Russia, FSC will allow forest management certificate holders in Russia the option of maintaining their FSC certification of forest management, but no permission to trade or sell FSC-certified timber.

“We must act against aggression; at the same time, we must fulfil our mission of protecting forests,” Carstensen explained. “We believe that stopping all trade in FSC-certified and controlled materials, and at the same time maintaining the option of managing forests according to FSC standards, fulfils both these needs.”

The announcement notes that the “decision becomes effective within 30 days from the publication of the revised Controlled Wood Risk Assessments for Russia and Belarus later today, which is by 8th of April 2022.”