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Timber and pulp assessments

Groupe Blattner Elwyn https://www.spott.org/timber-pulp/groupe-blattner-elwyn/

Groupe Blattner Elwyn is headquartered - and owns timber operations - in the Democratic Republic

Score:  9.0%

Latest update: 18 Jul 2018
Next scheduled: July 2019
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  • Landbank (timber/pulp):
    1,371,340 hectares
  • Thomson Reuters ticker:
    Private company
  • Bloomberg ticker:
    Private company
  • Activities:
    Timber production, timber processing and manufacturing
  • Locations:
    DRC (Eastern, Equateur and Bandundu Provinces)
  • Headquarters:
    DRC
  • Website:
    http://www.gbedrc.com

Company assessment: Groupe Blattner Elwyn – July 2018

SPOTT assesses companies against over 100 indicators across ten categories. Click on the icons or bars below to expand each category for further details, scoring and links to reports and sources.

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Assessment date:

Total: 9% 8.5 / 94.5
  • Sustainability policy and leadership Sustainability policy and leadership 1 / 6 16.7%

    • Companies should publish sustainability policies or similar covering their entire supply chain — including third party suppliers — implemented and enforced through high-level leadership that engages with wider industry schemes.

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

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

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      2. Sustainability policy or commitment applies to direct and third-party suppliers?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      3. High-level position of responsibility for sustainability?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      4. Sustainability report published within last two years?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      5. Member of multiple industry schemes or other external initiatives to improve forest management or transparency?

    • Yes
      1 / 1
      Source

      6. Activities with government, NGOs or academic institutions to improve the sustainability of forest products?

      SIFORCO (subsidiary controlling timber operations) lists NGO and independent partners, including Forest Resources Management (FRM), a consultancy involved in the preparation and monitoring of its development plans carried out as part of the responsible management of its concessions and preparation for forest certification. It also lists Swisspeace as a partner involved in conflict resolution

  • Landbank, FMUs and mills Landbank, FMUs and mills 2.5 / 11 22.7%

    • Companies should publicly report figures on their total landbank and details of different areas under their management. They should also disclose maps of their forest management units and provide forest management plans, as well as details on supplier pulp and paper mills.

    • Yes
      1 / 1
      Source

      7. Lists countries and operations?

      The company states that it has forest concessions and production facilities in the DRC

    • No
      0 / 1
      Source

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

      1,371,340 - Figure is undated

    • n/a
      -
      No source

      9. Total area of forest plantation (ha)?

      This indicator is disabled as the company's reporting broadly suggests that it does not produce wood/wood fibre from plantations. Please note that ZSL has been unable to confirm this

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

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

    • n/a
      -
      No source

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

      This indicator is disabled as the company's reporting broadly suggests that it does not produce wood/wood fibre from plantations. Please note that ZSL has been unable to confirm this

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      12. Conservation set-aside and/or HCV area (ha)?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      13. Area of Intact Forest Landscape (ha)?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      14. Number of Forest Management Units (FMUs)?

    • Partial
      0.5 / 1
      Source

      15. Maps of forest management units (FMUs)?

      The company provides static (image) maps of FMUs. Geo-referenced maps (e.g. shapefile or KML) could not be identified

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      16. Forest management plans available for all FMUs?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      17. Monitoring of forest management plan implementation?

    • n/a
      -
      Source

      18. Number of company owned pulp and paper mills?

      This indicator is disabled as the company's reporting broadly suggests that it does not own pulp or paper mills. Please note that ZSL has been unable to confirm this

    • n/a
      -
      No source

      19. Maps or addresses of company owned pulp and paper mills?

      This indicator is disabled as the company's reporting broadly suggests that it does not own pulp or paper mills. Please note that ZSL has been unable to confirm this

    • Yes
      1 / 1
      Source

      20. Number of company owned sawmills?

      1 - SIFORCO (subsidiary controlling timber operations) states that it has one sawmill

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      21. Maps or addresses of company owned sawmills?

  • Deforestation and biodiversity Deforestation and biodiversity 2 / 13 15.4%
    • 1 media report

      Companies should commit to address deforestation and to set aside areas for conservation. They should report on any activities to manage or restore habitat in their conservation areas, or monitor deforestation in their supply chains. They should also provide evidence of species conservation and biodiversity protection.

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      22. Commitment to zero conversion of natural forest?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      23. Zero conversion commitment applies to outgrower scheme and independent suppliers?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      24. Commitment to minimise the impact of logging roads?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      25. Commitment to protect forest areas from illegal activities?

    • No
      0 / 1
      Source

      26. Evidence of monitoring deforestation?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      27. Amount of deforestation recorded?

    • No
      0 / 1
      Source

      28. Commitment to biodiversity conservation?

    • Yes
      1 / 1
      Source

      29. Commitment to set aside areas for conservation?

      SIFORCO (subsidiary controlling timber operations) states that it is preparing a forest management plan and that it will use zoning for conservation

    • No
      0 / 1
      Source

      30. Examples of habitat management and/or habitat restoration of set-aside areas?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      31. Implementing a landscape-level approach to biodiversity conservation?

    • Partial
      0.5 / 1
      Source

      32. Commitment to protect species of conservation concern, referencing international or national system of species classification?

      SIFORCO (subsidiary controlling timber operations) states it is identifying fauna living in concession areas as part of its management plans. However, a system of species classification is not clearly stated

    • No
      0 / 1
      Source

      33. Commitment to sustainably manage the use of non-timber forest products (NTFPs)?

    • n/a
      -
      No source

      34. Commitment not to use genetically modified organisms?

      This indicator is disabled as the company's reporting broadly suggests that it does not produce wood/wood fibre from plantations. Please note that ZSL has been unable to confirm this

    • n/a
      -
      No source

      35. Commitment to only use alien species where impacts can be controlled?

      This indicator is disabled as the company's reporting broadly suggests that it does not produce wood/wood fibre from plantations. Please note that ZSL has been unable to confirm this

    • Partial
      0.5 / 1
      Source

      36. Examples of species conservation activities?

      SIFORCO (subsidiary controlling timber operations) only states that it is carrying out an inventory of fauna as part of preparing management plans

  • HCV, HCS and impact assessments HCV, HCS and impact assessments 0.5 / 7 7.1%

    • Companies should commit to the High Conservation Value (HCV) and High Carbon Stock (HCS) approaches, and to conduct social and environmental impact assessments (SEIA). They should develop and publish monitoring and management plans, and provide evidence through SEIA, HCV and HCS assessments, typically published in summary form due to the sensitive nature of certain sites.

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

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

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      38. HCV commitment applies to outgrower scheme and independent suppliers?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      39. Commitment to only use licensed High Conservation Value (HCV) assessors accredited by the HCV Resource Network's Assessor Licensing Scheme (ALS)?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      40. High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments available?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

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

    • n/a
      -
      No source

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

      This indicator is disabled as the company's reporting broadly suggests that it does not produce wood/wood fibre from plantations. Please note that ZSL has been unable to confirm this

    • n/a
      -
      No source

      43. High Carbon Stock (HCS) assessments available?

      This indicator is disabled as the company's reporting broadly suggests that it does not produce wood/wood fibre from plantations. Please note that ZSL has been unable to confirm this

    • Partial
      0.5 / 1
      Source

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

      SIFORCO (subsidiary controlling timber operations) states that it is preparing (retrospective) socio-economic and social impact studies, but no clear commitment could be identified

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      45. Social and environmental impact assessments (SEIAs) available?

  • Soils, fire and GHG emissions Soils, fire and GHG emissions 0 / 9 0%

    • Companies should commit to protect peatland and undertake best management practices for soils and peat, as well as commit to reduced impact logging. They should also have policies on zero burning and to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Companies should report their GHG emissions, as well as any fires that occurred in or around their estates, along with plans for managing and monitoring fires.

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      46. Commitment to best management practices for soils and/or peat?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      47. Commitment to reduced impact logging?

    • n/a
      -
      No source

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

      This indicator is disabled as the company's reporting broadly suggests that it does not produce wood/wood fibre from plantations. Please note that ZSL has been unable to confirm this

    • n/a
      -
      No source

      49. Commitment on peatland planting applies to outgrower scheme and independent suppliers?

      This indicator is disabled as the company's reporting broadly suggests that it does not produce wood/wood fibre from plantations. Please note that ZSL has been unable to confirm this

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

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

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      51. Evidence of best management practices for soils and/or peat?

    • n/a
      -
      No source

      52. Commitment to zero burning?

      This indicator is disabled as the company's reporting broadly suggests that it does not produce wood/wood fibre from plantations. Please note that ZSL has been unable to confirm this

    • n/a
      -
      No source

      53. Commitment to zero burning applies to outgrower scheme and independent suppliers?

      This indicator is disabled as the company's reporting broadly suggests that it does not produce wood/wood fibre from plantations. Please note that ZSL has been unable to confirm this

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      54. Evidence of management and monitoring fires?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      55. Details/number of hotspots/fires in FMUs controlled by the company?

    • No
      0 / 1
      Source

      56. Time-bound commitment to reduce GHG emissions intensity?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      57. Progress towards reducing GHG emission intensity?

    • n/a
      -
      No source

      58. Report GHG emissions from land use change?

      This indicator is disabled as the company's reporting broadly suggests that it does not produce wood/wood fibre from plantations. Please note that ZSL has been unable to confirm this

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      59. Methodology used to calculate GHG emissions?

  • Water, chemical and waste management Water, chemical and waste management 0 / 10 0%

    • Companies should commit to managing water use and water quality, providing evidence through time-bound reduction plans, policies on toxic chemical use, waste management and treatment of wastewater and mill effluents.

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      60. Time-bound commitment to improve water quality?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      61. Progress towards commitment on water quality?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      62. Protection of natural waterways through buffer zones?

    • n/a
      -
      No source

      63. Evidence of treatment of pulp and paper mill effluent?

      This indicator is disabled as the company's reporting broadly suggests that it does not own pulp or paper mills. Please note that ZSL has been unable to confirm this

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

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

    • n/a
      -
      No source

      65. Time-bound commitment to improve water use?

      This indicator is disabled as the company's reporting broadly suggests that it does not own pulp or paper mills. Please note that ZSL has been unable to confirm this

    • n/a
      -
      No source

      66. Progress towards commitment on water use?

      This indicator is disabled as the company's reporting broadly suggests that it does not own pulp or paper mills. Please note that ZSL has been unable to confirm this

    • n/a
      -
      No source

      67. mmitment to eliminate chlorine and chlorine compounds for bleaching?

      This indicator is disabled as the company's reporting broadly suggests that it does not own pulp or paper mills. Please note that ZSL has been unable to confirm this

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      68. Evidence of minimising or recycling solid waste produced during sawmilling processes?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

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

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      70. No use of World Health Organisation (WHO) Class 1A and 1B pesticides?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      71. No use of chemicals listed under the Stockholm Convention and Rotterdam Convention?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      72. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

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

  • Community, land and labour rights Community, land and labour rights 2.5 / 19.5 12.8%
    • 8 media reports

      Companies should commit to respect human rights, including those of indigenous peoples and local communities, consulted with free, prior and informed consent (FPIC). Companies should respect the rights of workers, report relevant workforce data, and comply with health and safety legislation.

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      74. Commitment to human rights, referencing the UN Declaration of Human Rights or UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      75. Commitment to human rights applies to outgrower scheme and independent suppliers?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      76. Commitment to respect indigenous and local communities' rights?

    • Partial
      0.5 / 1
      Source

      77. Commitment to respect legal and customary property rights?

      SIFORCO (subsidiary controlling timber operations) commits to identify use rights and property rights of communities during the development of management plans. A broader commitment to respect legal and customary property rights across all operations could not be identified

    • No
      0 / 1
      Source

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

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      79. FPIC commitment applies to independent suppliers?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

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

    • Partial
      0.5 / 1
      Source

      81. Details of process for addressing land conflicts available?

      Only limited details of the process were provided by SIFORCO (subsidiary controlling timber operations). The company states that since June 2013 it is working with Danzer and Swisspeace on a conflict management improvement project with the aim of integrating them into their internal standards from November 2013, but it is not clear whether this is now in place

    • No
      0 / 1
      Source

      82. Commitment to mitigate impacts on food security?

      SIFORCO (subsidiary controlling timber operations) states that it will evaluate the 'needs' of local communities during the development of management plans. A full commitment to mitigate impacts on food security could not be identified

    • Partial
      0.5 / 1
      Source

      83. Commitment to provide essential community services and facilities?

      Groupe Blattner Elwyn provides examples of facilities and services that have been provided to communities, but has not made a clear commitment. The company states that it has three organisations which allow it to reach rural communities in terms of health, education and basic infrastructures: Rural Congolese Health (SRC), Rural Congolese Development (DRC), and Rural Education for All (ERT)

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      84. Commitment to respect all workers' rights?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      85. Reference to Fundamental ILO Conventions?

    • No
      0 / 0.5
      No source

      86. Total number of employees?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      87. Percentage or number of temporary employees?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      88. Percentage or number of women employees?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      89. Commitment to pay minimum wage?

    • Partial
      0.5 / 1
      Source

      90. Commitment to address occupational health and safety, referencing the ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Forestry Work?

      SIFORCO (subsidiary controlling timber operations) does not reference the ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Forestry Work, but refers to some occupational health and safety measures

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      91. Time lost due to work-based injuries?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

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

    • Partial
      0.5 / 1
      Source

      93. Provision of personal protective equipment and related training?

      SIFORCO (subsidiary controlling timber operations) states in separate sources that employees receive protective equipment for the chemical treatment of wood, and lists a tree felling training company as one of their partners. It is not clear whether all employees are receiving equipment/training

  • Certification standards Certification standards 0 / 8 0%
    • 2 media reports

      Companies should be certified by credible certification standards, or have time-bound commitments to achieve 100% certification of both forest management units and outgrower schemes. They should also commit to only sourcing certified wood/wood fibre and ensuring that their supply is verified as being in legal compliance.

    • No
      0 / 1
      Source

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

      One of SIFORCO's concessions was wholly and a second concession partially certified TLTV (LP and VLC) until 2016

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      95. Percentage wood/wood fibre supply verified as being in legal compliance by a third party?

    • No
      0 / 1
      Source

      96. Time-bound plan for achieving 100% FSC FM certification of FMUs?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      97. Commitment to source only wood/wood fibre that meets FSC Controlled Wood requirements?

    • No
      0 / 2
      No source

      98. Percentage area (ha) FSC FM certified?

    • No
      0 / 2
      No source

      99. Percentage of wood/wood fibre supply from outgrower scheme and/or independent suppliers that is FSC FM certified?

    • n/a
      -
      No source

      100. Percentage area (ha) PEFC certified?

      This indicator is disabled as the company's reporting broadly suggests that it does not operate in a county with a PEFC-endorsed SFM standard. Please note that ZSL has been unable to confirm this

  • Smallholders and suppliers Smallholders and suppliers 0 / 5 0%

    • Companies should report details of any programmes or schemes to support both schemed and independent smallholders, as well as criteria to assess suppliers on compliance with company policies, and in what cases suppliers should be suspended or excluded due to non-compliance.

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      101. Programme to support outgrower scheme smallholders?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      102. Percentage of outgrower scheme smallholders involved in programme?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

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

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      104. Suspension or exclusion criteria for suppliers?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      105. Percentage of suppliers assessed and/or engaged on compliance with company requirements?

  • Governance and grievances Governance and grievances 0 / 6 0%
    • 3 media reports

      Companies should operate in an ethical manner at all levels, providing accessible channels and clear procedures for both employees and external stakeholders to raise any grievance or complaint with the company, as well as allowing for whistleblowing.

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      106. Commitment to ethical conduct and prohibition of corruption?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      107. Whistleblowing procedure?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      108. Own grievance or complaints system?

    • No
      0 / 1
      No source

      109. Grievance or complaints system is accessible to internal and external stakeholders?

    • No
      0 / 2
      No source

      110. Details of grievances disclosed?

Media monitor: Groupe Blattner Elwyn

SPOTT monitors global media sources for coverage of assessed companies. The media monitor gathers reports about specific activities related to the assessment indicator categories. ZSL does not assess the validity of media coverage, but users can explore the media monitor to provide context on implementation, and infer risks associated with reported operations on the ground.

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