Land and Forest Iceland
Forestry standard now available free of charge
15th October 2025
A new national standard on sustainable forestry has been published by Standards Iceland (Staðlaráð Íslands). This is the first Icelandic standard to set out harmonised requirements and guidance for sustainable forestry in Iceland. According to an agreement with Standards Iceland, users are not required to purchase the standard – it can be downloaded free of charge from the council’s website.
Image: stadlar.is
The formal title of the standard is ÍST 95:2025 – Sustainable Forestry (ÍST 95:2025 – Sjálfbær skógrækt). Its aim is to promote improved responsibity in use of land and natural resources, strengthen professional practices in forestry, and ensure that the development of the sector aligns with Iceland’s sustainability objectives.
A shared vision for the future
As noted in a news article on the Standards Iceland website on 14 October, the standard is the outcome of extensive consultation and collaboration within the Technical Committee on Sustainable Forestry (TN-SSK). The committee included representatives from relevant government agencies, climate-related forestry projects, and private enterprises.
This broad cooperation has helped ensure that the standard reflects both governmental policy perspectives and the practical experience of those working in forestry and land use on the ground. The publication of the standard marks an important milestone for Icelandic forestry by providing a common framework for quality, responsibility, and professionalism in a field that plays an increasing role in climate action and land management. The standard serves as a tool that aligns with national policy and supports those engaged in forestry and related activities.
Main focus areas
The ÍST 95 standard is based on international benchmarks, including the UK Forestry Standard, with necessary adaptations to Icelandic conditions and legislation. It sets out requirements and recommendations for various aspects of sustainable forestry, including:
Planning and permitting processes.
Protection of soil, water, and biodiversity.
Selection of tree species and forest regeneration.
Social and economic responsibility.
Monitoring and continuous improvement.
The standard does not specifically cover afforestation — that is, the establishment of new forests on land where no forest previously existed or where land use is being changed — although many of its provisions are relevant to such projects as well. To complement ÍST 95, a separate standard on afforestation is currently in preparation. Together, these standards will provide a comprehensive framework for forestry in Iceland, from the establishment of new forests to their regeneration.
A tool for the future
As stated in the Standards Iceland release, ÍST 95 serves as a practical reference for administration, certification, policymaking, and project implementation in forestry. It provides a foundation for reliable assessment of the quality and sustainability of forestry projects, and may therefore become a cornerstone for new approaches to carbon sequestration, nature conservation, and environmentally sound land use.
With the publication of ÍST 95, an important step has been taken towards harmonised criteria for sustainable land use in Iceland. Standards Iceland will continue to promote and support the implementation of the standard in collaboration with stakeholders, aiming to ensure that it remains a living benchmark supporting the development of Icelandic forestry for years to come.