Gabon Wood Industries (GWI)

1. Sustainable forestry policy or commitment for all its operations?

The company has published its responsible forest management policy that covers various aspects of social and environmental issues. However, the information does not cover all operations.

2. Sustainable forestry policy or commitment applies to all suppliers?

The company has published a sustainable forestry policy which applies to all suppliers.

3. High-level position of responsibility for sustainability?

4. One or more members within the board of the company have responsibility for sustainability?

5. Reports gender balance of senior management team?

6. Reports gender balance of board members?

7. Member of multiple industry schemes or other external initiatives to reduce negative environmental or social outcomes associated with timber and pulp production?

8. Collaboration with stakeholders to reduce negative environmental or social outcomes associated with timber and pulp production?

The company reports that in January 2021, the World Fund for Nature (WWF) launched FSC certification training in Libreville to enhance the knowledge and understanding of trainers on FSC forest certification. Also, some training programmes were undertaken in 2020, which include directional felling training, External Social Relationships training, Protection Plan of Fauna etc.

9. Sustainability report published within last two years?

10. Reports through standardised reporting systems?

11. Climate risks assessment available?

12. Natural capital assessment available?

13. Lists countries and operations?

Gabon (plantations and sawmills).

14. Lists countries sourcing from?

The company reports that it mainly sources wood from Gabon. However, it is unclear if this covers the company's entire operations.

15. Total land area managed/controlled for forestry (ha)?

400000 - The company reports that it manages 400,000 ha of forest. However, this figure is approximate and does not clearly cover the company's entire operations.

16. Total area of natural forest designated for wood/wood fibre production (ha)?

17. Total area of forest plantation (ha)?

18. Area of plantation/natural forest within outgrower schemes (ha)?

19. Unplanted area (areas designated for future development as plantation forest) (ha)?

20. Conservation set-aside area, including HCV area (ha)?

21. Area of Intact Forest Landscape (ha)?

22. Number of Forest Management Units (FMUs)?

3 - Information reported via the Open Timber Portal shows the company operates two FMUs, however it is not clear if this covers the company's entire operations.

23. Maps of forest management units (FMUs)?

Maps are available for two of the company's FMUs via the Open Timber Portal.

24. Forest management plans available for all FMUs?

Summary management plans are available for three of the company's FMUs.

25. Monitoring of forest management plan implementation available?

26. Company has provided valid legal documents to Open Timber Portal on use right (at the time of SPOTT assessments)?

Please note: Company scores on Open Timber Portal are updated daily. Visit the OTP website to review the company's current performance here: http://www.opentimberportal.org/operators.

27. Company has provided valid legal documents to Open Timber Portal on forest management (at the time of SPOTT assessments)?

[Externally verified] The company has provided 2/6 valid legal documents to Open Timber Portal on forest management. Please note: Company scores on Open Timber Portal are updated daily. Visit the OTP website to review the company's current performance by clicking on the source link.

28. Company has provided valid legal documents to Open Timber Portal on timber harvesting (at the time of SPOTT assessments)?

[Externally verified] The company has provided 1/9 valid legal documents to Open Timber Portal on timber harvesting. Please note: Company scores on Open Timber Portal are updated daily. Visit the OTP website to review the company's current performance by clicking on the source link.

29. Maps of all third-party supplying FMUs?

30. Number of company owned sawmills?

3 - The company's webpage states that it has 3 sawmills, however this information is undated.

31. Names and locations of company owned sawmills?

The company states that it has 3 sawmills located in Mouila, Nkok and Otouma. However limited details are provided and this information is undated.

32. Number of company-owned pulp and paper mills?

33. Names and locations of company-owned pulp and paper mills?

34. Reports total volumes (or percentages) sourced by company-owned sawmills that come from company's own operations and third-parties?

35. Reports total volumes (or percentages) sourced by company-owned pulp and paper mills that come from company's own operations and third-parties?

36. Number of third party supplying mills?

37. Names and locations of all third party supplying mills?

38. Reports total volume (or percentages) sourced from third-party supplying mills that come from the supplying mills' own operations and third parties?

39. Procedures to trace raw materials to country of harvest?

40. Percentage of supply traceable to country of harvest?

41. Procedures to trace raw materials to FMU level?

42. Percentage of supply traceable to FMU level?

43. Time-bound plan for achieving 100% third-party legality verification of FMUs or achieved?

44. Percentage area (ha) verified as being in legal compliance by a third party?

45. Time-bound plan to source only wood/wood fibre that is in legal compliance verified by a third party?

46. Percentage of all wood/wood fibre supply traded/processed verified as being in legal compliance by a third party?

47. Percentage area (ha) FSC FM certified?

48. Time-bound plan for achieving 100% FSC FM certification of FMUs within 10 years?

49. Percentage of wood/wood fibre supply (tonnes) from all suppliers that comes from FSC FM certified areas?

50. Commitment to source only wood/wood fibre that meets FSC Controlled Wood and/or PEFC Controlled Sources requirements?

51. Percentage area (ha) PEFC certified (excluding FSC certified area)?

52. Commitment to zero conversion of natural ecosystems?

53. Commitment to zero conversion of natural ecosystems applies to all suppliers?

54. Commitment to zero deforestation?

55. Commitment to zero deforestation applies to all suppliers?

56. Criteria and cut-off date for defining deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion?

57. Criteria and cut-off date for defining deforestation in supplier operations?

58. Evidence of monitoring deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion?

59. Evidence of monitoring deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion in supplier operations?

60. Amount of deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion recorded in own operations since cut-off date?

61. Amount of deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion recorded in supplier operations since cut-off date?

62. Commitment to restoration of deforestation/conversion in own operations since cut-off date?

63. Commitment to restoration of deforestation/conversion in supplier operations since cut-off date?

64. Implementing a landscape or jurisdictional level approach?

65. Biodiversity policy?

The company states that it will take measures to protect the environment and biodiversity by proper planning of roads, maintenance of watercourses etc. However, it has no policy or target for the conservation of biodiversity.

66. Biodiversity policy applies to all suppliers?

67. Identified species of conservation concern, referencing international or national system of species classification?

The company has identified several species like gorillas, elephants, buffalo, and chimpanzees. However, this information is not referencing the international or national system of species classification and is self-reported.

68. Examples of species and/or habitat conservation management?

69. Commitment to no hunting or only sustainable hunting of species?

The company reports that it prohibits the hunting of wildlife species.

70. Commitment to no hunting or only sustainable hunting of species applies to all suppliers?

71. Commitment to protect forest areas from illegal activities?

72. Commitment to protect forest areas from illegal activities applies to all suppliers?

The company reports in its responsible sourcing policy that it complies with the Australian Illegal Logging Prohibition Act. However, it is unclear if it applies to all suppliers.

73. Evidence of protecting forest areas from illegal activities?

74. Commitment to no use of genetically modified organisms?

75. Commitment to no use of genetically modified organisms applies to all suppliers?

76. Commitment to conduct High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments?

77. Commitment to conduct High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments applies to all suppliers?

78. High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments available?

79. High Conservation Value (HCV) management and monitoring plans available?

80. Commitment to the High Carbon Stock (HCS) Approach?

81. Commitment to the High Carbon Stock (HCS) Approach applies to all suppliers?

82. High Carbon Stock (HCS) assessments available?

83. Peer review of all High Carbon Stock (HCS) assessments undertaken since April 2015 by the HCSA Quality Assurance Process?

84. Commitment to conduct social and environmental impact assessments (SEIAs)?

85. Commitment to conduct social and environmental impact assessments (SEIAs) applies to all suppliers?

86. Social and environmental impact assessments (SEIAs) available, and associated management and monitoring plans?

87. Company has provided valid legal documents to Open Timber Portal on impact assessments (at the time of SPOTT assessments)?

Please note: Company scores on Open Timber Portal are updated daily. Visit the OTP website to review the company's current performance here: http://www.opentimberportal.org/operators.

88. Commitment to no planting on peat of any depth?

89. Commitment to no planting on peat of any depth applies to all suppliers?

90. Landbank or planted area on peat (ha)?

91. Implementation of commitment to no planting on peat of any depth?

92. Commitment to best management practices for soils and peat?

93. Commitment to best management practices for soils and peat applies to all suppliers?

94. Evidence of best management practices for soils and peat?

95. Commitment to reduced impact logging?

The company only commits to Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) for some operations only.

96. Commitment to reduced impact logging applies to all suppliers?

97. Evidence of implementing reduced impact logging practices?

The company states recommendations and guidelines contained in the FAO Regional Code for low-impact logging in the dense tropical rainforests of West and Central Africa, including recommendations for road construction, felling, trimming in the forest, skidding, trimming in log yards, etc. However, the information is limited and self-reported.

98. Commitment to zero burning?

99. Commitment to zero burning applies to all suppliers?

100. Evidence of fire monitoring and management?

101. Details/number of hotspots/fires in company FMUs?

102. Details/number of hotspots/fires in suppliers operations?

103. Time-bound commitment to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity?

104. GHG emissions intensity?

105. GHG emissions from land use change in company's own operations (scope 1)?

106. GHG emissions from land use change in supplier operations (scope 3)?

107. Progress towards commitment to reduce GHG emissions intensity?

108. Methodology used to calculate GHG emissions?

109. Time-bound commitment to improve water use intensity?

110. Water use intensity?

111. Progress towards commitment on water use intensity?

112. Time-bound commitment to improve water quality (BOD or COD)?

113. Progress towards commitment on water quality (BOD or COD)?

114. Treatment of pulp and paper mill effluent?

115. Evidence of sawmill run-off containment and wastewater treatment?

116. Proportion of processing facilities with closed-loop water treatment system?

117. Commitment to protect natural waterways through buffer zones?

118. Implementation of commitment to protect natural waterways through buffer zones?

119. Commitment to minimise the use of chemicals, including pesticides and chemical fertilisers?

The company commits to minimise the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

120. Commitment to minimise the use of chemicals, including pesticides and chemical fertilisers, applies to all suppliers?

121. Evidence of eliminating chlorine and chlorine compounds for bleaching?

122. Commitment to no use of World Health Organisation (WHO) Class 1A and 1B pesticides?

The company commits to not use World Health Organisation (WHO) Class 1A and 1B pesticides.

123. Commitment to no use of World Health Organisation (WHO) Class 1A and 1B pesticides applies to all suppliers?

124. Commitment to no use of chemicals listed under the Stockholm Convention and Rotterdam Convention?

The company only commits to prohibit the use of pesticides containing Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) listed by the Stockholm Convention. However, it does not refer to the Rotterdam Convention.

125. Commitment to no use of chemicals listed under the Stockholm Convention and Rotterdam Convention applies to all suppliers?

126. Chemical usage per ha or list of chemicals used?

127. Implementation of commitment to minimise inorganic fertiliser usage?

128. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach?

129. Waste management system in place to avoid negative impacts?

The company reports that it has a waste management system in place. However, the information is undated.

130. Commitment to human rights?

131. Commitment to human rights applies to all suppliers?

132. Progress on human rights commitment ?

133. Commitment to respect Indigenous Peoples' and local communities' rights?

134. Commitment to Indigenous Peoples' and local communities' rights applies to all suppliers?

The company's commitment to respecting local communities and Indigenous rights applies to its suppliers. However, it does not refer to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples or the ILO Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention (no. 169).

135. Commitment to respect legal and customary land tenure rights?

The company commits to respecting the legal and customary rights of the neighboring communities through Free, Informed, and Prior Consent (FPIC).

136. Commitment to legal and customary land rights applies to all suppliers?

The company reports respecting customary rights and legal rights to harvest that apply to all suppliers. However, no commitment could be found.

137. Commitment to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC)?

The company commits to respecting Free, Informed, and Prior Consent (FPIC). However, it is unclear if it covers all the company's operations.

138. Commitment to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) applies to all suppliers?

The company commits to respecting free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) that applies to all suppliers.

139. Details of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) process available?

140. Examples of local stakeholder engagement to prevent conflicts?

141. Details of process for addressing land conflicts available?

142. Supports the inclusion of women across forestry operations, including addressing barriers faced?

143. Company has provided valid legal documents to Open Timber Portal on population rights (at the time of SPOTT assessments)?

Please note: Company scores on Open Timber Portal are updated daily. Visit the OTP website to review the company's current performance here: http://www.opentimberportal.org/operators.

144. Commitment to enable sustainable use of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) by local communities?

145. Commitment to provide essential community services and facilities ?

The company reports that dealing with local communities or villagers is one of the major topics of social aspects of sustainable forest management. However, it does not commit to providing essential community services and facilities to local communities.

146. Progress on commitment to provide essential community services and facilities?

The company reports various examples of CSR activities such as building hospitals, clinics, and schools for the well-being of the local communities. However, this information is undated.

147. Commitment to provide business/work opportunities for local communities?

The company commits to providing business/work opportunities for local communities.

148. Company has provided valid legal documents to Open Timber Portal on labour regulations (at the time of SPOTT assessments)?

Please note: Company scores on Open Timber Portal are updated daily. Visit the OTP website to review the company's current performance here: http://www.opentimberportal.org/operators.

149. Commitment to Fundamental ILO Conventions or Free and Fair Labour Principles?

The company commits to five Fundamental ILO Conventions only.

150. Commitment to Fundamental ILO Conventions or Free and Fair Labour Principles applies to all suppliers?

The company commits all suppliers to three Fundamental ILO Conventions only.

151. Progress on commitment to respect all workers' rights?

152. Commitment to eliminate gender related discrimination with regards to employment?

The company commits to eliminating gender-related discrimination with regard to employment.

153. Commitment to eliminate gender related discrimination with regards to employment applies to all suppliers?

The company commits to no discrimination based on race, colour, caste, etc. However, the information is unclear if it covers eliminating gender-related discrimination regards to employment.

154. Progress on commitment to eliminate gender related discrimination with regards to employment?

155. Percentage or number of temporary employees?

156. Reports gender balance of employees?

157. Commitment to pay a living wage?

158. Commitment to pay a living wage applies to all suplliers?

159. Progress on commitment to pay a living wage?

160. Reporting of salary by gender?

161. Commitment to address occupational health and safety?

The company commits to addressing occupational health and safety. However, it does not refer to the ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Forestry Work.

162. Commitment to address occupational health and safety applies to all suppliers?

The company's commitment to addressing occupational health and safety applies to its suppliers. However, it does not refer to the ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Forestry Work.

163. Provision of personal protective equipment and related training?

164. Time lost due to work-based injuries?

165. Number of fatalities as a result of work-based accidents?

166. Commitment to support smallholders?

167. Programme to support outgrower scheme and/or independent smallholders?

168. Number or percentage of outgrower scheme and/or independent smallholders involved in programme?

169. Process used to prioritise, assess and/or engage non-smallholder suppliers on compliance with company's policy and/or legal requirements?

170. Number or percentage of non-smallholder suppliers assessed and/or engaged on compliance with company's policy and/or legal requirements?

171. Suspension or exclusion criteria for suppliers?

172. Timebound action plans (including Key Performance Indicators) for suppliers to be in compliance with timber and pulp sourcing commitments?

173. Proportion of supply from suppliers that is verified as deforestation and/or conversion-free (DCF)?

174. Commitment to ethical conduct and prohibition of corruption?

The company commits to ethical conduct and prohibition of corruption.

175. Commitment to ethical conduct and prohibition of corruption applies to all suppliers?

The company's commitment to ethical conduct and the prohibition of corruption also applies to its business partners and third parties. However, it is unclear if it applies to all suppliers.

176. Progress on commitment to ethical conduct and prohibition of corruption?

177. Company has provided valid legal documents to Open Timber Portal on legal registration (at the time of SPOTT assessments)?

[Externally verified] The company has provided all valid legal documents to Open Timber Portal on legal registration. Please note: Company scores on Open Timber Portal are updated daily. Visit the OTP website to review the company's current performance by clicking on the source link.

178. Disclosure of the company's management approach to tax and payments to governments?

179. Company has provided valid legal documents to Open Timber Portal on taxes, fees and royalties (at the time of SPOTT assessments)?

Please note: Company scores on Open Timber Portal are updated daily. Visit the OTP website to review the company's current performance here: http://www.opentimberportal.org/operators.

180. Whistleblowing procedure?

181. Own grievance or complaints system open to all stakeholders?

182. Details of complaints and grievances disclosed?