Certifying your company’s production line to preserve our forests
| Region(s) | Scotland |
|---|---|
| In domains | Construction / Engineering / Building Materials, Desjardins, Renewable Sourcing |
| Participants |
As the issue of deforestation becomes increasingly urgent, forest products companies are being called on to make the sourcing and renewal of their raw material an integral part of their production process. This has been the case at Glenalmond Timber Company Ltd., which in 2001 took steps to obtain certification from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The FSC is an independent non-governmental organization consisting of various members from 25 different countries that has developed the first universally-recognized forest product certification system (in the form of two certificates: one for forest operators and the other for businesses that process or trade in wood products). The certification system is based on 10 principles, including forest conservation, restoration and tree planting.
Precise Innovation:
Reviewing a company’s supply chain and supplier relations in such a way as to ensure the origin and quality of the wood and improve the company’s ability to trace its products as they are sent to customers, all in an effort to meet FSC requirements.
Glenalmond Timber Company Ltd. has developed a range of wood products called UltraJoist that is 100% FSC-certified. The company’s construction timber is treated in an environmentally-friendly way to protect it against fungal decay and insect attack. No chemical emissions are released into the atmosphere during treatment and the wood can be composted after it has been used, thus ensuring minimal impact on the environment.
The FSC certification process consists of six steps:
• Establishment of a specific contract with the company seeking certification;
• Pre-audit (optional) to analyse any shortcomings and evaluate the firm’s current situation;
• Initial audit to determine whether the company qualifies for certification;
• The certification body makes the decision to grant certification;
• Annual audits to verify the company’s continued compliance with FSC requirements;
• Renewal of certification after a period of five years if FSC requirements continue to be met.
At each step of the audit a complete report is given to the company and the certification is monitored for as long as it is valid.
Time: The certification process is not very long. Of course, this depends on a company’s initial willingness to meet FSC standards. It may take from several weeks to several months for a company to be certified. However, Glenalmond Timber spent three years researching and perfecting its environmentally-friendly method for treating construction timber.
Cost: This depends on the investments necessary to meet the FSC’s requirements. In the case of Glenalmond, the company offers its suppliers better prices if they obtain FSC certification. Product tracking and annual audits also represent considerable costs. Nonetheless, growing sales and access to new markets allow the company to absorb these additional expenses.
A lasting commitment: Once the process has begun, it is difficult to go back. Obtaining FSC certification means that a company must remain committed to responsible forest management and continuously try to improve its practices. In fact, the company’s credibility depends on it.
Sales of Glenalmond products have risen continually since the company obtained FSC certification (a growth rate of 26% more than three years afterward), which is due to two factors:
• The company has consolidated its existing market position;
• It has entered new markets and conducted business with government bodies, which are increasingly requiring that guarantees be provided regarding the origins of construction materials such as wood.
Carrefour and WWF
In 2001, with the help and advice of environmental NGO World Wildlife Fund (WWF), French retail giant Carrefour decided to do its part to preserve the world’s forest resources. The retailer lent its support to the FSC concept and began carrying a range of garden furniture made of roble wood that features the FSC label in five countries: France, Switzerland, Spain, Turkey and Mexico.
Carrefour and the WWF drafted a charter for sustainable forest management that sets forth the company’s official policy regarding its suppliers in order to guarantee the traceability of the wood it uses and demonstrate compliance with sustainable forest management certifications. In 2002, 12% of the wood purchased by the company was FSC-certified.
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