Resolute Forest Products lost three Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certificates due to issues related to indigenous peoples’ rights and environmental impact in nearly 20 million acres of forested land. The Rainforest Alliance, a non-profit devoted to bio-diversity and conservation, revoked the Canadian lumber company’s certifications in early January.
According to the FSC, the company’s “non-conformities” occurred in Lac St-Jean and Mistassini-Péribonka in Quebec, and Black Spruce & Dog River in Ontario. Resolute did not lose certification under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) in any of the affected areas.
Will this affect the supply of Canadian FSC-certified lumber flowing across the border? Corey Brinkema, president of FSC in the U.S., told GreenBuild.com that adjustments to distribution have already been made, and that the greatest impact would likely occur in the pulp and paper markets only if Resolute allows too much time to pass and their certificates are fully terminated.
Resolute has until the end of 2014 to regain the certificates.
