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In Russia confidence of FSC is felling dramatically

Development of FSC certification in Russia was started in 1998. In 2000 was issued first FSC certificate. From 2000 before 2004 was managed to involved into FSC certification 1-2 companies every year. During five years in Russia was certified about 1,3 mln ha of forest. Heavy growth of FSC certification was started in 2004, when into this business  many Russian regional experts and several auditor companies were involved. As is generally known, auditor companies and experts advertised FSC system in order to receive more clients. In 2004 were certified 7 companies with total volume of forest 1,94 mln. ha. This heavy growth was continued in 2005 and 2006. In 2005 were issued 12 certificates for total volume of forest 4,41 mln. ha and in 2006 19 certificates for 7,1 mln ha. Fall into breakdown of confidence in FSC certification in Russia was started in 2006 after several serious scandals between auditor companies and NGO,s.

The scandals showed much negative information about NGO,s business in Russia which has to do with FSC certification. After the scandals, several auditor companies suspended development FSC certification business in Russia (Europartner, Control Union, SKAL, Soil Association , SGS). Also was discovered many certified companies do not meet the requirements of FSC standards. In 2007 were certified only 13 companies and total volume of forest was reduced in twice (4,16 mln.ha). In 2008 in Russia managed to certified only 7 companies with total volume of forest 2.15 mln ha. In 2009 in Russia did not issued one FSC certificate. According information of Russian FSC office, so far only one Russian company have an application for FSC certification. Situation with FSC-COC certification is the same, only a translation in time is one year. As expert’s opinion, the fall into breakdown of confidence in FSC certification in this year will be continued. More and more Russian forest companies understand, what is FSC certification and whose business is it.

At the present time, there are 774 mln.ha of forest in Russia and 20, 9 mln. ha FSC certified(2,7%). There are about 20 000 forest companies in Russia and 130 FSC certified companies(0.7%). According opinion of Russian independent experts, more than half of FSC certified companies in Russia do not meet requirements of FSC standards.

2009