FSC blocks wood sourcing in Russia and Belarus
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) suspended all trading certificates in Russia and Belarus and blocked all controlled wood sourcing from the two countries as a response to Russia’s aggressive invasion of Ukraine.
The FSC made the decision after the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) announced that all timber coming from Russia and Belarus are “conflict timber,” and the Assurance Services International (ASI) decided to suspend its FSC oversight activities in Belarus.
FSC said that it stands in solidarity with all victims of this violence. “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,” said FSC Director General, Kim Carstensen.
“We must act against aggression; at the same time, we must fulfil our mission of protecting forests. 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,” she added.
The FSC’s decision means that all 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 armed violence continues.
Photo: https://abcmanagedservices.uk