In May 2011, Greenpeace International filed a formal complaint with FSC against SODEFOR. The complaint alleged that violations of traditional and human rights took place during SODEFOR’s operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The FSC certificates held by SODEFOR had already been withdrawn by the time of the complaint. After conducting an investigation into the complaint, the Complaints Panel recommended that FSC not disassociate itself from SODEFOR but rather ensure SODEFOR meets all FSC requirements, including strengthening the changes recently initiated in SODEFOR’s mediation practices, including clarification of local (customary) tenure rights, redefining benefit sharing agreements and ways of communicating. FSC Board of Directors agreed with the Complaints Panel, and SODEFOR has not attempted to get FSC certification since. 

March 2012

FSC releases statement agreeing with Complaints Panel recommendation to not disassociate from SODEFOR, but rather go through a robust stakeholder consultation should SODEFOR choose to renew their suspended FSC certificates. 

January 2012

Complaints Panel report is completed

May 2011

Greenpeace files a formal complaint with FSC regarding FSC’s association with SODEFOR. The complaint alleged that violations of traditional and human rights took place during SODEFOR’s operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Complaints Panel Evaluation Report - SODEFOR
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Complaints Panel Investigation Report

Read more about the Complaints Panel recommendation and findings in their report.