Canada-based Resolute, which has 20 mills and an annual capacity of 2.5 billion board feet of lumber, will have three of its seven FSC certificates suspended, covering an area of more than 8 million hectares – thought to be the biggest area affected by certificate suspensions to date. The certificates are being suspended from January 1, 2014.
“While FSC regrets the suspension, it welcomes the decision as testimony that FSC certification applies rigorous standards within a clear framework of principles and criteria, strong audit processes and clear consequences for failing to meet FSC requirements,” said a statement from FSC International.
The suspension for major non-conformities relate to indigenous peoples’ rights, environmental impact, forest benefits, monitoring and assessment and High Conservation Value forests.
The majority of the area affected is in the Boreal Rainforest in Quebec and Ontario, specifically the forests of Lac St-Jean and Mistassini-Péribonka in Quebec, as well as Black Spruce and Dog River in Ontario.
Resolute had sales of US$4.5bn in 2012.
