Danzer was disassociated by the environmental certification body, and lost the right to supply FSC-certified timber from its own managed forests, or others, earlier this year. This followed an outbreak of violence between local people and the authorities in Yaliska, a concession area of the Democratic Republic of Congo managed by former Danzer subsidiary SIFORCO.
The latter was judged to have failed in its resolution conflict obligations by an FSC investigation and Danzer was disassociated. One impact was to deprive the market of timber from the 1 million ha managed by the company’s subsidiary Industrie Forestière de Ouesso in neighbouring Congo Brazzaville, one of the biggest FSC-certified concessions in central Africa. Danzer agreed a process for reassociation with FSC and contracted peace research institute Swisspeace to review its conflict resolution mechanisms.
Swisspeace will hold talks with local stakeholders and report in October. This will be followed by a meeting with FSC in November.
Its recommendations will be implemented by December and a final report will go before the FSC board meeting next March.
Danzer chief executive Hans-Joachim Danzer described its strategy as "ambitious" but was convinced "it would substantially strengthen the reputation of FSC".
Danzer UK managing director Ken Walsh said he was "delighted that FSC has highlighted that we are well on schedule to apply for reassociation in March 2014".
"We’re glad we’re able again to demonstrate our commitment to sustainable timber production and procurement," he said.
He also thanked UK customers for their response since Danzer’s disassociation. "The support we continue to receive from all sectors of the timber industry has been overwhelming," he said.
Danzer’s final fulfilment of conditions for FSC reassociation will be third-party verified.
