The Forest Stewardship Council will withdraw all remaining forest management certificates in Russia on May 1 after a risk assessment found “increasing integrity risk” in the country and concluded that security for people involved in oversight activities in Russia “can no longer be guaranteed.”
“In addition, there are limitations to operating in the country as a result of the restricted access and sanctions,” FSC said in a statement. “With the termination of Assurance Services International’s (ASI) oversight activities in Russia, certification bodies will no longer be accredited for auditing against the FSC standards in the country.”
Last year, FSC suspended certificates that allowed for trade in FSC certified materials and products in Russia and Belarus following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Those certificates will now be withdrawn.
FSC also stated it will not endorse other voluntary “certification schemes that have emerged in Russia.” FSC Russia announced in April 2022 it would offer its own temporary certification.
“FSC remains committed to continue engaging with FSC International members in Russia, forest owners and organizations that share its values, and hopes that maintaining dialogue with these stakeholders will facilitate the return of FSC certification to Russia,” the organization added. “FSC acknowledges that the prolonged crisis affects supply chains for FSC certificate holders around the world and will continue strategic efforts together with partners and members to address the gap.”
