CC FWStudio
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.
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 The FSC certificates held by SODEFOR had already been withdrawn by the time of the complaint.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
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.