Lumber supply chain certifier Forest Stewardship Council, which met last week in its General Assembly, wants to expand certification in building materials and furniture.
Abercrombie & Fitch, which stocks almost 300 items that use fabrics made from trees––like rayon, viscose, or modal - has committed to tracking sources of fiber in a move to sustainable efforts.
As Resolute Forest Products Inc. (NYSE: RFP) (TSX: RFP) allows timberland it uses to lose FSC certification, FSC International jumps into the controvery from headquarters in Germany, launching a mediation process that finds support from the First Nation's indigenous tribes that also have authority over the land. Resolute's CEO takes aim at environmental groups.
A proposal is underway by the Forest Stewardship Council to revise the trademark requirements and make easier the labeling and promotion by FSC certificate holders. The deadline for public comments on the draft standard is Jan. 31, 2016.
After FSC suspended its Ontario timberland certification in 2014, owner Resolute Forest Products got its Black Spruce/Dog River-Matawin forest reinstated. But CEO Richard Garneau said Resolute will work to maintain its existing FSC forest management certificates where possible, but will not pursue new certifications.
Environmental group ForestEthics says 31 companies now have dropped SFI chain of custody tracking for forest products, most recently U.S. brands, Xerox, Starwood Hotels, Delta Dental, and Bigelow Tea, distancing their brands from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative paper and wood certification and labeling.
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative set a new Guinness World Record, planting 202,935 trees in one hour. SFI partnered with 29 teams of up to 100 people each to plant trees in locations from New York City to Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) launches its new global brand: Forests For All Forever. In the past 20 years, FSC has become a well-trusted and established brand in sectors and markets around the world. With its new branding FSC plans to extend its reach by targeting consumers directly.
The Rainforest Alliance has reached a settlement agreement with Resolute Forest Products concerning draft audit reports for the Black Spruce Dog River Matawin Forests and Caribou Forest operations in Ontario, Canada.
Criticism of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) standards come after the release of the group's latest updates following its normal 5-year review of emerging issues and new scientific findings.