ON THE FEASIBILITY OF VOLUNTARY FOREST CERTIFICATION.

The article provides general information on the certification processes at logging and wood working enterprises, shows the dynamics of the certification processes of forest management and chain of custody. The main factors affecting the certification of logging and woodworking processes are the retention and expansion of markets for forest products, increase of the certified products' price, and the pursuit of sustainable forest management. Changes in priorities in the development of forest certification is demonstrated by the example of "Solombala sawmill and woodworking plant" (Arkhangelsk, Russia). Types of certification costs, including preparation for certification, certification audits, the cost for selection of high conservation value forests, the study of flora and fauna, monitoring, preservation of rare and endangered species of plants and animals and any other expenses necessary for an objective assessment of the economic benefits from certification of logging and woodworking enterprises are considered. For certification of the leased forest areas an agreement with stakeholders is required. The valuation of specific certification costs of the supply chain of "Solombala sawmill and woodworking plant" and certification costs of forest management of two logging companies JSC "Svetlozerskles" and LLC "Toymales" is done. A 5 years' period of time being accepted for the valuation, the full list of events of the certification process (preparation of enterprise, preliminary, main, control audits, etc.) is included into it and all actual costs for the certification of forest management and chain of custody are considered. While the proportion of certified raw material suppliers to the timber holding is increased, specific monetary costs are reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]