Finnish forest industry has actively sought to produce FSC controlled wood since 2006. Lack of transparency in their risk assessment and subsequent audits has made it very difficult for the civil society to gain access to the process. Some certifying bodies have carried out their audits without any consultation with environmental NGOs or indigenous organisations. Some have been more transparent but have failed to take into account information on controversial operations. 

The Greenpeace-report “Out of Control” compiles 40 cases of controversial logging operations from the last two years, all of which have links to Finnish companies seeking to produce controlled wood or already doing so. The aim of the report is to identify some of the most important challenges concerning the FSC Controlled Wood system. The authors hope this example and the recommendations presented in the report could be used to improve the system in order to maintain FSC’s credibility as a proof of sustainable forest management. Considering the threat posed to biodiversity by the current Finnish forest management model and the country’s long history of unresolved conflicts between indigenous communities and forestry, Finland clearly should not be treated as a “low risk” country. This is the case especially for FSC Controlled Wood categories 2 and 3 on preservation of high conservation values and respect for indigenous and traditional rights. Yet, certifying bodies have adopted the industry’s policy of turning a blind eye on the confl icts and accepted the risk assessments of the forest industry, claiming no problems exist. The Finnish case shows that the FSC Controlled Wood system is currently not strong enough to eff ectively eliminate controversial sources. While some of the reasons arise from problems in the performance of certifying bodies, the situation is exacerbated by the standard which allows for a variety of interpretations on some key issues.

Read more in the Greenpeace report “Out of Control”.

From the report: 'Clear-cut in Ilosenkangas, eastern Finland. The forest had been identified as an intact old-growth forest with significant high conservation values.