Forests of Ukraine will be able to restore validity of FSC certificates lost because of war
An updated version of forest certification according to the FSC standard will come into effect in September 2024, which will allow branches of the capital and northern forest offices, whose areas are contaminated on an area of more than 5%, to restore previously lost certificates, the press service of the Forests of Ukraine state enterprise reported on Telegram.
The state enterprise recalled that previously, the basis for suspending the validity of the certificate was considered to be damage by explosive objects to up to 5% of the area of the branch's forest fund. This led to the suspension of certificates for a number of branches of the capital and northern forest offices, regardless of the fact that they carried out environmentally oriented, socially responsible and environmentally balanced management.
"Now forest lands contaminated with explosive devices will be removed from the certificate coverage area. Branches with contaminated areas over 5% will be able to restore previously lost certificates," Forests of Ukraine emphasized.
According to the state enterprise, 93 forest enterprises of Forests of Ukraine state enterprise are currently certified according to FSC standards, accounting for 70% of the territory of the state forest fund.
"The application of the updated FSC standard will help increase the number of certified branches of Forests of Ukraine state enterprise. This is very important for the enterprise, because the presence of an FSC certificate means that the wood used in production comes from responsibly managed forests," the state enterprise summarized.
The working group for the development and implementation of national forest certification standards for Ukraine worked on the approval of the updated version of forest certification according to the FSC standard. The working group included representatives of FSC Ukraine, Forests of Ukraine state enterprise, the environmental community, scientistsб and woodworkers. During the development, consultations were held with the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, regional military administrations, and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.