The National Forest Certification System of Belarus has been suspended by the PEFC International Board, following a request by PEFC Belarus. The suspension is effective as of 18 April 2022 and suspension is valid until the revised system documentation is submitted, but at least for six months.

2014 system documentation (system suspended)

Endorsement milestones

To maintain its PEFC endorsement, the system must meet specific endorsement milestones. The first milestone is the start of the periodic review within five years of the national approval of the sustainable forest management standard.

• National approval date: 11 August 2014
• Review date: 14 November 2019*

* The review date is linked to the approval date of the revised Sustainable Forest Management standard PEFC ST 1003 (14 November 2018).

System history

• System suspended: 18 April 2022
• Re-endorsed: 27 October 2017
• Endorsed: 28 July 2010
• Joined PEFC: 28 October 2005

Republican Association of Forest Certification System

History before PEFC

The Association was established in 1995 specially with the purpose to work with PEFC and to develop national Belarusian scheme of forest certification and be the owner of the scheme. Since 1995 the national forest certification scheme was developed in Belarus and was endorsed already two time by PEFC members. The Association works actively in Belarus to promote PEFC certification and, being civic organization, actively cooperates with the Ministry of Forestry on these issues.

What are the benefits of being part of the PEFC alliance? 

Being part of the PEFC alliance means having access to the experience and knowledge on sustainable forest management worldwide, including new and innovative approaches and practices.

This is an opportunity to build capacities in the field of sustainable forest management from the side of forest holders, as well as from the side of customers.