SWITZERLAND – The PEFC International Board has extended the suspension of the Russian National Voluntary Forest Certification System (FCR), with the national system now suspended indefinitely.

The suspension was intended to preserve the conditions for a successful long-term cooperation with PEFC Russia to support sustainable forest management in the Russian Federation in light of the current political situation.

The suspension took effect as of 11 August 2022 and was initially valid until 31 December 2022.

Certificates issued against the Russian National Voluntary Forest Certification System (FCR) are no longer PEFC recognised as of 11 August 2022.

This applies to both forest management and chain of custody certificates.

Certified organisations are therefore prohibited from using PEFC claims and the PEFC label and cannot sell material as PEFC certified.