FSCAnnounced the complete withdrawal of forest certification in Russia
On March 30th, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) announced that its certification body would revoke the remaining forest management certificates in Russia.This is because ASI decided to terminate its FSC verification activities in Russia.
According to ASI, it believes that the credit risk in Russia is increasing, because the safety of personnel involved in Russian supervision activities is no longer guaranteed.In addition, due to access restrictions and sanctions, doing business in the country is restricted.
ASI decided to terminate its FSC supervision activities in Russia after thoroughly evaluating the possible risks of continuing its supervision activities under the current circumstances.The decision will take effect on May 1, 2023, and the evaluation will be reopened once conditions permit it to be guaranteed again.
To some extent, FSC certification has become a necessary "passport" for wood products to enter the EU. With the termination of ASI's supervision activities in Russia, certification bodies will no longer be recognized for auditing according to FSC standards in that country. The direct access of Russian wood products to the EU will be "completely blocked".Even if it is sold into the European Union through a third country, it means that the review is more stringent.
Before Russia revoked all FSC certificates, the FSC International Committee decided to take measures last year to suspend the certificates allowing the trade of FSC certified materials and products in Russia and Belarus, which was made immediately after the dispute between Russia and Ukraine.The confirmation of the revoked certificate will be withdrawn on April 8, 2023 at the latest after 12 months of revocation.
FSC International, in its announcement in official website, expressed deep regret that forest management certification could not be maintained in Russia.Regarding other voluntary certification schemes in Russia, FSC will not support such initiatives.
