BONN, Germany -- The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has suspended all trading certificates in Russia and Belarus and blocked all controlled wood sourcing from the two countries.

In a statement, the FSC said that it “remains deeply concerned about Russia’s aggressive invasion of Ukraine and stands in solidarity with all victims of this violence."

With a full commitment to FSC’s mission and standards, and after a thorough analysis of the potential impact of the withdrawal of FSC certification, the FSC International board of directors agreed to take these actions, the statement read.

As a result, wood and forest products from Russia and Belarus cannot be used in FSC products or be sold as FSC certified anywhere in the world as long as the armed violence continues.

FSC said they plan to monitor the situation, and that it is ready to take additional measures to protect the integrity of its system. 

“All our thoughts are with Ukraine and its people, and we share their hopes for a return to peace. We also express our sympathy with those people in Belarus and Russia who do not want this war,” said Kim Carstensen, FSC director general.

To continue to protect forests in Russia, FSC will allow forest management certificate holders in Russia the option of maintaining their FSC certification of forest management, but does not grant permission to trade or sell FSC-certified timber.

"We must act against aggression; at the same time, we must fulfill our mission of protecting forests," said Carstensen. "We believe that stopping all trade in FSC-certified and controlled materials, and at the same time maintaining the option of managing forests according to FSC standards, fulfills both these needs.”