FSC is launching a transaction verification loop (TV loop) on FSC-certified teak supply chains, across the world, starting with the first phase – data collection and analysis.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) will require suspension of its certificates in armed conflict areas of Ukraine, and will allow streamlined auditing processes on certificates in areas not affected by conflict.

FSC has updated two Advice Notes related to FSC certificates from Russia and Belarus to address auditing requirements. Additionally, a new version of the FAQs is now available.

FSC announced yesterday that it would no longer accept FSC material from Belarus and Russia due to the strong affiliation of the countries’ forest sector with the state and the resulting association with the invasion of Ukraine.

An integrity investigation has been initiated into specific supply chains of FSC-certified charcoal after FSC and Assurance Services International (ASI) found an unacceptably high number of potential false claims, high levels of volume mismatch and several instances of fraud during the fourth transaction verification loop initiated in 2020.

The decision comes after a 4-year programme to improve HS Timber Group’s operations and resolve the social and environmental issues that led to FSC expelling HS Timber Group from its system in 2017.