After the company, which is IKEA’s forestry arm, appealed the suspension, and the auditor Rainforest Alliance put its initial decision to review by its independent appeals panel, the latter recommended that two of the FSC “non-conformities” originally identified by Rainforest Alliance in its operations could be removed from consideration. A third could be downgraded to ‘minor’ non-conformity status.
As a result the FSC certificate could be reinstated. NEPCon, Swedwood’s FSC-certification service provider, welcomed the news.
“This is our first appeal case as a service provider, and it is not surprising it came in Russia as fierce debate continues there over what defines sustainable forestry,” said executive director Peter Feilberg.
“But it also shows that the FSC complaints and appeals decision works as intended, by providing a second opinion.”
The suspension of Swedwood’s FSC certificate had resulted in controversial mainstream media coverage due to the company being part of the IKEA group.
The UK Sunday Times alleged that, as a result of Swedwood’s practices, 600-year-old trees had been made into IKEA flatpack furniture.
Mr Feilberg described this as a “hoax” as no mention of felling such old trees was referred to in the original suspension decision.
