The German state-owned company Sachsenforst is largely ending its pilot project for FSC certification of parts of the Saxon state forest, which began in 2020. FSC certification was tested on around 74,000 hectares, roughly one-third of the state forest area, through group certification in several forest districts and nature conservation areas and was internally evaluated by 2025.

Audits showed that Sachsenforst met FSC standards and, through its own quality management systems, even achieved higher standards in some areas. However, the 2025 evaluation concluded that FSC certification required significant operational effort. Restrictions in the current German FSC standard also prevented the continuation of well-established silvicultural practices, particularly for converting non-native spruce stands in the loess hill region into site-appropriate oak mixed forests.

As a result, FSC certification will now only continue in the state forest of the Upper Lusatian Heath and Pond Landscape Biosphere Reserve (3,100 hectares) until the certificate expires in 2028.

The Saxon state forest has long been fully certified under PEFC.