FSC launches a transaction verification loop on FSC-certified Siberian larch

FSC and Assurance Services International (ASI) are launching a transaction verification (TV) loop on FSC-certified Siberian larch (Larix sibirica) supply chains across Asia, Europe, and Oceania. This TV loop will look into transaction patterns to better understand the scale of trade and potential integrity risks. 

ASI’s analysis of Russian wood‑related integrity interventions between 2022 and 2025 shows that potential risks are increasingly concentrated in downstream processing, trading, and brokerage, where transparency is generally lower. While birch remains the most prominent species associated with integrity incidents, larch has also been identified as a species of growing relevance. Recent cases and market information point to challenges related to supply chain traceability and the complexity of international trade flows. Transaction-level analysis provides a means to examine these issues in greater detail. 

The TV loop will cover 564 valid and suspended FSC certificate holders with Siberian larch in scope, including Forest Management and Chain of Custody Certificate Holders. All participating certificate holders will be required to submit transaction data covering the period January to December 2025, across selected product groups including rough wood, veneer, wood panels, engineered wood products, and wood for construction.  

ASI will collect and analyse the submitted transaction data to map supply chains, assess trading patterns, and identify potential volume mismatches or high-risk supply chain clusters. Based on the results of Phase 1, ASI will prioritise certain supply chains or certificate holders for further examination in Phase 2, which may include document reviews, targeted assessments, and additional verification activities. 

Siberian larch is a widely traded and commercially valuable species, used in construction, engineered wood products, and exterior applications. Given its trade profile and the limited number of FSC-certified forest sources, FSC considers proactive transaction verification an important tool to safeguard the integrity of FSC certification and address potential risks early. 

The TV loop on Siberian larch is consistent with FSC’s broader integrity work, including the approaches applied under the Eurasia Integrity Workplan. 

The preliminary results of the data collection and analysis phase are expected by the end of 2026. The outcomes of this TV loop will support FSC in determining appropriate follow-up actions where non‑compliance with FSC standards is identified.