In light of the recent restructuring of SFE “Forests of Ukraine”, which houses the great majority of FSC Forest Management certificates in Ukraine, FSC wishes to affirm that it has no objections to this new approach and does not impose additional normative requirements, as outlined in the recently published interpretation. Certification processes will continue without interruption during this transition.
Over the past years, FSC has undertaken significant steps to support Ukraine’s forests, wood industry, and its stakeholders in the country. Some of these include maintaining certification in areas outside of armed conflict zones, developing several interpretations and derogations to address extraordinary circumstances, and updating the Forest Stewardship Standard for Ukraine to exclude areas contaminated with explosive objects from the scope of certification.
FSC Ukraine will continue to support all initiatives that contribute to preserving FSC certification in the country. Our efforts include, but are not limited to:
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Providing a platform for meaningful dialogue and fostering mutual understanding among forest sector stakeholders in Ukraine.
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Collaborating with public authorities, businesses, and the non-governmental sector to promote FSC’s values and ensure ongoing commitment to responsible forest management despite the challenges that the country is going through.
FSC recognizes the challenges posed by the current situation and remains fully dedicated to ensuring that certification remains strong in Ukraine. Together, with the dedication of all stakeholders, we are confident in our ability to safeguard responsible forest management and support the sustainable future of Ukraine’s forests.
FSC International