We continue our certification efforts without slowing down to document that our forests are managed in a way that respects the environment, nature, and human rights.
Certification efforts, which started in 2010 at the Bolu Regional Directorate of Forestry, have now spread to 16 Regional Directorates of Forestry and 126 Forest Management Directorates, covering 43% of our forested area. As a result of these efforts, approximately 50% of the total roundwood production in our country is currently sourced from certified forests.
In the certification process, conducted through the oversight of NGOs, the owners or administrators of the forests that are to be certified contact certification bodies authorized by the certification organization to initiate the process by indicating their desire to undergo an inspection.
During the inspection phase, forests are evaluated based on 10 principles, 56 criteria, and 216 indicators. Forests that meet the established standards are awarded an internationally recognized certification.
As the General Directorate of Forestry, our goal is to certify the entire 23.4 million hectares of forestland in Turkey by the end of 2028. With this ambitious goal, we aim to ensure the sustainable management of the country's natural resources and enhance the international competitiveness of the forest products sector.