Regulation No. 593 on Sustainable Forestry

This Regulation lays down rules for sustainable forest management in Norway, aiming to safeguard environmental values, ensure regeneration after harvesting, and maintain forest health. It applies to all forest and woodland areas and imposes duties on forest owners to protect biodiversity, landscapes, cultural heritage, and recreational interests, including through environmental documentation and adherence to recognized standards such as the Norwegian PEFC Forest Standard. The regulation also sets rules on reforestation, including minimum regeneration requirements, restrictions on species conversion and foreign species use, and municipal oversight where regeneration is inadequate. In addition, it contains preventive and responsive measures against forest damage, particularly from insects and other threats, including monitoring, mandatory interventions, and rules on timber transport and treatment. Enforcement mechanisms include municipal supervision, corrective orders, exemptions, appeals, coercive fines, and criminal sanctions.