BONN, Germany – The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) withdrew the remaining forest management certificates in Russia by the respective certification bodies just more than a year after the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

FSC said the withdrawals were based on a risk assessment conducted by the Assurance Services International (ASI) to terminate its FSC assurance activities in Russia. According to FSC, the ASI’s assessment concluded that there is an “increasing integrity risk in the country as the security for the people involved in oversight activities can no longer be guaranteed. In addition, there are limitations to operating in the country as a result of the restricted access and sanctions. With the termination of ASI's oversight activities in Russia, certification bodies will no longer be accredited for auditing against the FSC standards in the country.”

The withdrawal of all FSC certificates in Russia follows last year’s decision by the FSC International Board to apply measures leading to the suspension of certificates allowing for the trade in FSC certified materials and products in Russia and Belarus, which was made in the immediate aftermath of the invasion.

FSC said it 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.