New Risk Assessment strengthens responsible sourcing in Ukraine

Aligned with the updated FSC Risk Assessment Framework, the revised risk assessment for Ukraine becomes effective on 14 August 2026, providing companies with a clear basis for responsible sourcing in Ukraine's current operating environment.

FSC is pleased to announce the publication of the revised FSC Risk Assessment for Ukraine (V3-0), developed in accordance with the updated FSC Risk Assessment Framework. This is among the first FSC risk assessments to be aligned with the updated framework. 

Covering all wood products except reclaimed material, the FSC Risk Assessment for Ukraine supports both FSC’s Controlled Wood Requirements and the Regulatory Module. It provides certificate holders and supply chain stakeholders with an evidence-based evaluation of risks associated with sourcing controlled wood from Ukraine, including clear mitigation measures to address identified risks and current verification challenges. By supporting risk-based due diligence, including the requirements related to the EU Regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR), it helps organizations source material responsibly while maintaining market access for Ukrainian forest products.

Expert-led development and key findings

The revision began in August 2024 and was led by an expert-led technical working group, with support from FSC Ukraine. The process brought together experts and stakeholders from the forestry sector, government institutions, environmental organizations, businesses, certification bodies, and civil society. The process included stakeholder consultation, peer review, calibration, and technical evaluation prior to FSC approval.

The assessment highlights noteworthy progress in transparency and traceability within Ukraine’s forest sector, including mandatory electronic timber accounting, electronic logging permits, and electronic certificates of timber origin. It also concludes that risks related to child and forced labour, freedom of association, discrimination, gender equality, the use of genetically modified trees, and forest conversion to agriculture are negligible in government-controlled sourcing areas. In addition, Ukraine is classified as a low-risk country under the EUDR country benchmarking system.

A notable feature of the assessment is its approach to risk evaluation. Rather than relying on subnational risk zones, Ukraine is assessed as a single sourcing area divided into four source types:

• Government-controlled territories;
• Forests contaminated with radioactive substances;
• Forests contaminated with explosive objects; and
• Temporarily occupied territories.

This approach reflects the varying conditions affecting access, oversight, and verification across the country and enables risk designations and mitigation measures to be applied according to sourcing conditions rather than administrative boundaries.

Commenting on the approval of the revised risk assessment, Pavlo Kravets, Director of FSC Ukraine, said:

The approval of the revised risk assessment shows that even in wartime Ukraine can deliver transparent, evidence-based tools for responsible forest management. It gives Ukrainian enterprises and their international buyers a clear, practical procedure for verifying the origin of timber, and it helps keep Ukrainian wood products competitive on the European market as EUDR requirements take effect.

Non-negligible risks are identified within all four source types. The assessment establishes mitigation requirements where risks can be addressed, while sourcing from temporarily occupied territories remains excluded. These risk designations reflect a precautionary approach that supports transparency and responsible sourcing.

Effective date and access

• Effective date: 14 August 2026
• Access: Risk Hub| FSC Document Centre | Consultation report

Note: There is no transition period for this risk assessment. From the effective date, the previous FSC National Risk Assessment for Ukraine (FSC-NRA-UA V2-0) expires and must no longer be used. Certificate holders and certification bodies are required to apply the new risk assessment from its effective date.

For any questions regarding the risk assessment, please contact FSC Ukraine (info@fsc.org.ua) or the Country Requirements Programme (country_requirements@fsc.org).

To learn more about the new framework and how FSC develops risk assessments, visit the FSC Risk Assessments information page. To stay up to date on upcoming risk assessments, visit the Country Requirements Schedule page.