FSC maintains ties with Samling amid controversy over forest certification
MIRI (May 11) The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has decided to continue its association with Samling Global Limited, on the condition that the company addresses concerns related to its forest operations.
The decision, issued in April this year, is contingent upon Samling implementing a verified corrective action plan to address alleged breaches of forest management standards and compliance.
The case arose from a Policy for Association (PfA) complaint filed in 2023 by a coalition of non-governmental organisations including SAVE Rivers, Gerenai Community Rights Action Committee (GCRAC), KERUAN Organisation, The Borneo Project, and Bruno Manser Fund.
The complaint cited possible violations within Samling's forest concessions, sparking a thorough review led by an independent expert panel.
In response, the FSC commissioned an independent Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis to examine concession areas in Sarawak.
While the data did not confirm the full scope of the allegations, it did point to risks of further High Conservation Value (HCV) forest degradation.
'Due to the limitations of using GIS to analyse social conflicts, it was not possible to cover the full breadth of allegations, especially those related to the violation of traditional and human rights,' said FSC in the statement.
'However, the GIS analysis did indicate the possibility of further risks of HCV destruction and conversion.'
The FSC decision panel highlighted the importance of addressing these risks and instructed that a verified remedy process be put in place as a condition to uphold Samling's association with FSC.
Samling, in its statement dated April 29, welcomed the FSC's decision and reaffirmed its commitment to engaging with stakeholders to improve its sustainability performance.
The company's Malaysia Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS) certificates, endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) remain valid.
However, the FSC panel did identify a violation outside the certified area, deemed 'small in scale' relative to the total area reviewed.
'The Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) stated that it has concluded its own investigation in 2021, and considered the complaint resolved,' said Samling.
'Samling remains firmly committed to having constructive dialogues with FSC and all relevant stakeholders as we continue to enhance our sustainability performance,' it added.
The case has drawn varied responses.
Jettie Word, executive director of The Borneo Project, criticised the MTCS certification, claiming Samling's operations violated both state law and international standards.
Koemok Joe, a Penan leader and executive director of the Keruan Organisation, welcomed the outcome; while Bruno Manser Fund's executive director, Lukas Straumann, urged Sarawak Forestry to conduct further investigation. Forest Stewardship Council samling
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