Södra has received a renewed forest management certificate for FSC for the next five years. An external audit has been carried out, and more than 60 properties have been reviewed in 2014.

This audit covered all three dimensions in the standard: social issues, the environment and economy.

The FSC® certificate means that forestry is being carried out in accordance with the requirement specified in FSC's forestry standard and that timber can be traced back to the place where it grew. FSC-certified raw materials are in great demand among many customers working with pulp and sawn timber products and interior products.

"We are proud of the efforts of all our members and staff as regards maintaining high levels of both production and environmental initiatives in respect of forestry. This certification acknowledges the work we are doing," says Håkan Larsson, Director of Forestry at Södra.

Södra members have set aside, on average, eight per cent of their forest land for nature conservation purposes as part of the initiative for compliance with the requirements of the certification. This is equivalent to more than 200 000 soccer pitches. Moreover, cutting initiatives in production forests taken into account various conservation values such as dead wood, old trees and valuable small environments.

To achieve certification, social requirements also have to be met in respect of matters such as employment terms, the work environment and outdoor activities.

Södra has been working since 2009 to offer its members the opportunity to certify their forestry in accordance with FSC (Forest Stewardship Council® FSC® CO14930) and PEFC™. Södra has one of the biggest group certificates in the world. A total of 19,000 properties hold FSC certification, covering more than 1.4 million hectares of productive forest land. PEFC includes an even larger area; almost 1.7 million hectares and 22,000 properties.