FSC in the Adria-Balkan Region

FSC is well established in the countries of the Adria-Balkan Region. There is over 5 million hectares of FSC-certified forest as well as over 1200 companies who manufacture and sell FSC-certified forest products here.

Did you know that 10% of all European FSC-ceritifed forest area comes from this Region?

Beech tree forest canopy green
Factory furniture worker

Meet the latests certified companies

In order to support companies that have successfully passed the initial third-party audit and received their first FSC CoC certification, every month we are publishing a short description of the certified business of new certificate holders from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia, thus bring them closer to the market and consumers.

To be able to see all FSC certificate holders from the Region, please visit the public Database of FSC certification and select one or more countries you are interested in.

FSC in the Region

Bosnia and Herzegovina (bigger image)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Nearly two-thirds of the land area in Bosnia and Herzegovina is covered by forests. Find out how many of these forests are FSC-certified and how many companies produce or sell FSC-certified products.

Croatia

Croatia

You might know of Croatia because of its beautiful coast, but what about its forests? Find out how many of its forests are FSC-certified and how many companies produce or sell FSC-certified products.

Montenegro

Montenegro

With an iconic name that roots from the forested mountains, this small country might surprise you with its natural heritage. Find out how many companies from Montenegro produce or sell FSC-certified products.

North Macedonia

North Macedonia

It might be a small country but it has a big history and undescribable admiration for its forest. Find out how many companies from North Macedonia produce or sell FSC-certified products.

Serbia

Serbia

Once a great country - always a great country, full of adventures, fun, and breathtaking forests. Find out how many of them are FSC-certified and how many companies produce or sell FSC-certified products.

Slovenia

Slovenia

One thing that is surely not lacking in this proud country with a green heart are the forests. Find out how many of them are FSC-certified and how many companies produce or sell FSC-certified products.

Historical development of FSC in the Region

Both the first forest management certificate and the first chain of custody certificate were issued in 2000. Ever since, the FSC certification has been steadily developing in the Region reaching over 5 million hectares of FSC-certified forests and over 1200 FSC-certified companies in 2022. This is a valid confirmation from the side of the forest managers and the market who recognise FSC certification as the best tool to protect our forests and demonstrate responsible use of forest materials and products. Learn more about the most important milestones in the development of FSC certification across the Adria-Balkan Region below.

Forest Management (FM) certification
Chain of Custody (CoC) certification

FM development

It all started in Croatia. And then one by one, other countries of the Adria-Balkan Region decided to join FSC and use FSC certification to demonstrate their responsible forest management.

2000 Public forest management company from Croatia "Hrvatske šume d.o.o." requested a Forest Management (FM) certification of 72 thousand hectares (ha) of their forest land. This was the first FSC FM certificate issued in the Region.

2002 A few years later, Hrvatske šume decided to request FSC certification for the entire forest area under their management, this included over 2 million ha of forests. At the time, but even today, this represented one of the largest single FM certificate in the world. Croatian forests have been FSC-certified ever since.

2007 Public FM companies from neighbouring countries of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia took a decision to join FSC. Cantonal FM company "Sarajevo-šume d.o.o." requested an FM certification of 62 thousand ha, while public FM company "Slovenski državni gozdovi d.o.o." joined with 270 thousand ha of forests.

2008 This year marks another milestone as the public FM company from Serbia "Srbijašuma d.o.o." requested an FM certification of 39 thousand ha, thus joining the FSC and other countries of the Region.

2015 Certified forest area has been stable in Croatia and Slovenia at over 2 million ha and 260 thousand ha respectively, while it grew in Bosnia and Herzegovina to 1,5 million ha and in Serbia to 1 million ha of forests.

2022 Certified forests in Bosnia and Herzegovina are reaching an area of nearly 2 million ha, and the rest of the Region is stable.

CoC companies

The first Chain of Custody (CoC) certificate was issued in Croatia. The biggest CoC certification growth occurred between the years 2008 and 2017. During this period most of the countries of the Adria-Balkan Region joined FSC certification and more importantly there were now sufficient quantities of FSC-certified forest materials and products which stimulated the expansion of CoC certification.

2000 Wood processing company from Croatia called "Spačva d.o.o." requested a Chain of Custody (CoC) certification. This marks the first FSC CoC certificate issued in the Adria-Balkan Region. In 2022, Spačva company still holds their FSC certificate.

2001 First FSC CoC certificate issued in Slovenia, to a wood processing company called "Ilmest d.o.o.". In 2022, Ilmest company still holds their FSC certificate.

2007 First FSC CoC certificate issued in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to a wood processing company called "Karaula d.o.o."

2008 First FSC CoC certificate issued in Serbia, to a wood processing company called "Wood Craft d.o.o."

2013 First FSC CoC certificate issued in North Macedonia, to a printing company "BATO & DIVAJN Graphic Center".  In 2022, BATO & DIVAJN company still holds their FSC certificate.

2022 Presently there is over 1200 issued FSC CoC certificates in the Adria-Balkan Region.