OREANDA-NEWS. November 19, 2010. Belarus has received a European certificate of conformity in timer products. This document was officially handed over to Belarus’ representatives at the PEFC Council General Assembly, which was recently held in Rio de Janeiro, according to chairman of the Belarusian Forest Association. He is taking art in the international scientific and practical conference “Forest Science 21st Century” in Gomel dedicated to the Institute of Forest of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

Achieving PEFC recognition means that the system of forest certification in Belarus fully complies with PEFC scheme in sustained forest management. In addition, all certificates issued within the national forest certification system, meet international standards, and any certificate holder may use the PEFC logo. This opens up wide opportunities for the export of Belarusian timber.

In fact, Belarusian forestry companies got the right to sell timber products to Europe and other countries. “Before we obtained this certificate we had to use the services of intermediaries,” Oleg Atroshchenko said. The new status will greatly increase the profits from exports and improve the economy of forest industries.