Ilim Group became the first Russian company to receive the Legal Source European certificate

Ilim Group became the first Russian company to receive the Legal Source European certificate allowing Ilim to sell its products in the European market in accordance with EU Timber Regulation without any additional confirmation of the legal sourcing of the fiber used in the production process. The certificate confirms that Ilim exercises due diligence at all timber sourcing stages and that its products are compliant with all European requirements.

The Koryazhma Forest of Ilim Group has obtained the Legal Source certificate driven by the Company’s focus on the European markets.

As a leader of the forest industry in Russia, Ilim continuously strives to use global best practices. Ilim is determined to expand its exports to Europe with the Legal Source certificate being an important stage which will help the Company achieve this goal. Moreover, this certificate is as an additional confirmation of Ilim’s reliability and transparency of all its processes from timber harvesting to products delivery to end customers. “Over many years, we have built a long-standing partnership with our European suppliers and certification in accordance with the European standards will enhance trust between us and allow our traders to reduce the costs related to confirmation of the legal sourcing of the fiber used in our production process”, said Ilim Group CEO Kseniia Sosnina.

Preparation for the Legal Source certification took several years. NEPCon international company acted as an auditor.

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Ilim Group's forestry practices are focused on efficient forest management and reforestation. All of Ilim’s leased timberlands of 7.6 million ha are certified in accordance with FSC and PEFC ™ standards.

Ilim Group has been successfully audited by PEFC and received a PEFC ™ chain of custody certificate in late 2019. Given Ilim’s large-scale investment program and plans to go to new markets, PEFC certification confirms the status of Ilim Group as a reliable and responsible supplier of high quality products.