Another Forestry Management Unit of “Forests of Ukraine” renewed Its FSC Certificate
Rakhivske Forestry Management Unit of the Karpatskyi Forest Office branch has now been officially certified to sell timber harvested in accordance with the principles of sustainable forest management!
At the beginning of 2025, the enterprise underwent a reorganization of its structure, during which the main management functions were transferred to an enlarged branch — the Forestry Management Unit. These organizational changes required re-certification from the branch to the district level.
The process began immediately after the actual transformation of the branches into forestry districts. The audits assessing compliance with the principles of sustainable Forestry Management Unit were conducted by independent auditing companies — SGS Ukraine, Legallis LLC, and Preferred by Nature F.M.B.A.
Those units that incorporated already certified forestry management units went through the re-certification process in a very short time — typically, the audit lasted only a few days. However, when forestry management units included both certified and non-certified areas, the procedure took a bit longer.
The assessment was carried out in accordance with national standards, legislation, and international agreements. A key component of the process remains transparency — involving stakeholders, informing the public, and ensuring open decision-making.
Currently, SFE“Forests of Ukraine” has restored FSC certification on 98.9% of its previously certified forest area.
Maintaining and expanding FSC-certified areas is one of the top priorities of the enterprise. The presence of an FSC certificate confirms that forest products come from forests managed according to the principles of sustainable, continuous, and environmentally responsible use.
The FSC certificate serves as a gateway to international environmentally sensitive markets. It enhances trust in Ukrainian enterprises and enables domestic wood processors to successfully compete internationally.
In the FSC international database, wood processing companies can verify which forestry districts of “Forests of Ukraine” hold valid certificates and sell certified products. Information about certified forestry districts is also available on the company’s official website.