NordSud Timber
Timber and pulp assessment- Latest update: August 2024
- Next scheduled: August 2025
ESG scores:
The following scores are based on the totals of all environmental, social and governance (ESG) indicators. Some indicators apply to more than one E, S or G issue.
Supply chain scores:
The following scores are based on ESG indicators relevant to specific segments of the timber and pulp supply chain.
Some indicators apply to multiple segments. Please refer to the scoring criteria for further details.
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Thomson Reuters ticker:Private company
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Bloomberg ticker:Private company
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Activities:Timber production; Timber processing and manufacturing; Trading and distribution
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Headquarters:Congo
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Media Monitor
- ZSL's SPOTT team monitors international media for news on assessed companies, collecting articles about pertinent activities. They don't confirm the accuracy of the media coverage, but it can be leveraged by SPOTT users to gain insights into a company's operations and possible risks. To access this company's media reports, scroll down or click here.
Company assessment: NordSud Timber – August 2024
Assessment date:
- Organisation: 2.5 / 43 5.8%
- Policy: 0.5 / 79 0.6%
- Practice: 1.8 / 69 2.6%
- Self-reported: 1 / 69 1.5%
- External: 0.8 / 69 1.1%
- Certified: 0 / 69 0%
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Sustainability policy and leadership0 / 12 0%
- Organisation: 0 / 6 0%
- Policy: 0 / 2 0%
- Practice: 0 / 4 0%
- Self-reported: 0 / 4 0%
- External: 0 / 4 0%
- Certified: 0 / 4 0%
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0 / 1
1. Sustainable forestry policy or commitment for all its operations?
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0 / 1
2. Sustainable forestry policy or commitment applies to all suppliers?
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0 / 1
3. High-level position of responsibility for sustainability?
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0 / 1
4. One or more members within the board of the company have responsibility for sustainability?
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0 / 1
5. Reports gender balance of senior management team?
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0 / 1
6. Reports gender balance of board members?
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0 / 1
7. Member of multiple industry schemes or other external initiatives to reduce negative environmental or social outcomes associated with timber and pulp production?
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0 / 1
8. Collaboration with stakeholders to reduce negative environmental or social outcomes associated with timber and pulp production?
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0 / 1
9. Sustainability report published within last two years?
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0 / 1
10. Reports through standardised reporting systems?
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0 / 1
11. Climate risks assessment available?
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0 / 1
12. Natural capital assessment available?
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Landbank, maps and traceability3.11 / 30 10.4%
- Organisation: 2.5 / 22 11.4%
- Policy: 0 / 2 0%
- Practice: 0.6 / 6 10.2%
- Self-reported: 0.5 / 6 8.3%
- External: 0.1 / 6 1.9%
- Certified: 0 / 6 0%
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13. Lists countries and operations?
Democratic Republic of the Congo (natural forest concessions, sawmills). However, this information does not clearly cover the company's entire operations.
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0 / 1
14. Lists countries sourcing from?
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0 / 1
15. Total land area managed/controlled for forestry (ha)?
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0 / 1
16. Total area of natural forest designated for wood/wood fibre production (ha)?
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0 / 1
17. Total area of forest plantation (ha)?
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0 / 1
18. Area of plantation/natural forest within outgrower schemes (ha)?
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0 / 1
19. Unplanted area (areas designated for future development as plantation forest) (ha)?
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0 / 1
20. Conservation set-aside area, including HCV area (ha)?
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0 / 1
21. Area of Intact Forest Landscape (ha)?
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22. Number of Forest Management Units (FMUs)?
35 - Information reported via the Open Timber Portal shows that the company operates 22 FMUs, whilst the Global Forest Watch reports 35 FMUs. It is unclear if these figures cover the company's entire operations.
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23. Maps of forest management units (FMUs)?
Maps for four of the companies subsidiaries are reported via the Open Timber Portal. However, this information does not cover the company's entire operations.
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24. Forest management plans available for all FMUs?
One of the company's subsidiaries, SODEFOR, has reported a summary of its forest management plan.
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25. Monitoring of forest management plan implementation available?
One of the company's subsidiaries, SODEFOR, has reported a summary of monitoring information.
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26. Company has provided valid legal documents to Open Timber Portal on use right (at the time of SPOTT assessments)?
[Externally verified] The company has provided 3/64 valid legal documents to Open Timber Portal on use rights. 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.
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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 5/101 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.
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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 1/62 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.
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0 / 1
29. Maps of all third-party supplying FMUs?
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30. Number of company owned sawmills?
3 - One of the company's subsidiaries, SODEFOR, reports that it has two sawmills in Kinshasa and Nioki (Bandundu province), and another of the company's subsidiaries, CFT, reports that it has one sawmill in Kisangan. However, this does not cover the company's entire operations.
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0 / 1
31. Names and locations of company owned sawmills?
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0 / 1
32. Number of company-owned pulp and paper mills?
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0 / 1
33. Names and locations of company-owned pulp and paper mills?
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0 / 1
34. Reports total volumes (or percentages) sourced by company-owned sawmills that come from company's own operations and third-parties?
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0 / 1
35. Reports total volumes (or percentages) sourced by company-owned pulp and paper mills that come from company's own operations and third-parties?
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0 / 1
36. Number of third party supplying mills?
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0 / 1
37. Names and locations of all third party supplying mills?
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0 / 1
38. Reports total volume (or percentages) sourced from third-party supplying mills that come from the supplying mills' own operations and third parties?
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0 / 1
39. Procedures to trace raw materials to country of harvest?
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0 / 1
40. Percentage of supply traceable to country of harvest?
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0 / 1
41. Procedures to trace raw materials to FMU level?
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0 / 1
42. Percentage of supply traceable to FMU level?
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Certification standards0 / 8 0%
- Organisation: 0 / 0 0%
- Policy: 0 / 4 0%
- Practice: 0 / 4 0%
- Self-reported: 0 / 4 0%
- External: 0 / 4 0%
- Certified: 0 / 4 0%
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0 / 1
43. Time-bound plan for achieving 100% third-party legality verification of FMUs or achieved?
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0 / 1
44. Percentage area (ha) verified as being in legal compliance by a third party?
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0 / 1
45. Time-bound plan to source only wood/wood fibre that is in legal compliance verified by a third party?
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0 / 1
46. Percentage of all wood/wood fibre supply traded/processed verified as being in legal compliance by a third party?
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0 / 1
47. Percentage area (ha) FSC FM certified?
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0 / 1
48. Time-bound plan for achieving 100% FSC FM certification of FMUs within 10 years?
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0 / 1
49. Percentage of wood/wood fibre supply (tonnes) from all suppliers that comes from FSC FM certified areas?
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0 / 1
50. Commitment to source only wood/wood fibre that meets FSC Controlled Wood and/or PEFC Controlled Sources requirements?
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51. Percentage area (ha) PEFC certified (excluding FSC certified area)?
This indicator is disabled as the company reports that it does not produce wood/wood fibre OR does not operate in a country with a PEFC-endorsed SFM standard.
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Deforestation and biodiversity0 / 26 0%
- Organisation: 0 / 2 0%
- Policy: 0 / 16 0%
- Practice: 0 / 8 0%
- Self-reported: 0 / 8 0%
- External: 0 / 8 0%
- Certified: 0 / 8 0%
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0 / 1
52. Commitment to zero conversion of natural ecosystems?
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0 / 1
53. Commitment to zero conversion of natural ecosystems applies to all suppliers?
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0 / 1
54. Commitment to zero deforestation?
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0 / 1
55. Commitment to zero deforestation applies to all suppliers?
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0 / 1
56. Criteria and cut-off date for defining deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion?
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0 / 1
57. Criteria and cut-off date for defining deforestation in supplier operations?
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0 / 1
58. Evidence of monitoring deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion?
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0 / 1
59. Evidence of monitoring deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion in supplier operations?
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0 / 1
60. Amount of deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion recorded in own operations since cut-off date?
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0 / 1
61. Amount of deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion recorded in supplier operations since cut-off date?
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0 / 1
62. Commitment to restoration of deforestation/conversion in own operations since cut-off date?
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0 / 1
63. Commitment to restoration of deforestation/conversion in supplier operations since cut-off date?
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0 / 1
64. Implementing a landscape or jurisdictional level approach?
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0 / 1
65. Biodiversity policy?
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0 / 1
66. Biodiversity policy applies to all suppliers?
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0 / 1
67. Identified species of conservation concern, referencing international or national system of species classification?
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0 / 2
68. Examples of species and/or habitat conservation management?
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0 / 1
69. Commitment to no hunting or only sustainable hunting of species?
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0 / 1
70. Commitment to no hunting or only sustainable hunting of species applies to all suppliers?
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0 / 1
71. Commitment to protect forest areas from illegal activities?
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0 / 1
72. Commitment to protect forest areas from illegal activities applies to all suppliers?
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0 / 2
73. Evidence of protecting forest areas from illegal activities?
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0 / 1
74. Commitment to no use of genetically modified organisms?
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0 / 1
75. Commitment to no use of genetically modified organisms applies to all suppliers?
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HCV, HCS and impact assessments0.1 / 12 0.8%
- Organisation: 0 / 0 0%
- Policy: 0 / 6 0%
- Practice: 0.1 / 6 1.6%
- Self-reported: 0 / 6 0%
- External: 0.1 / 6 1.6%
- Certified: 0 / 6 0%
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0 / 1
76. Commitment to conduct High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments?
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0 / 1
77. Commitment to conduct High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments applies to all suppliers?
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0 / 1
78. High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments available?
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0 / 1
79. High Conservation Value (HCV) management and monitoring plans available?
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0 / 1
80. Commitment to the High Carbon Stock (HCS) Approach?
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0 / 1
81. Commitment to the High Carbon Stock (HCS) Approach applies to all suppliers?
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0 / 1
82. High Carbon Stock (HCS) assessments available?
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0 / 1
83. Peer review of all High Carbon Stock (HCS) assessments undertaken since April 2015 by the HCSA Quality Assurance Process?
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0 / 1
84. Commitment to conduct social and environmental impact assessments (SEIAs)?
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0 / 1
85. Commitment to conduct social and environmental impact assessments (SEIAs) applies to all suppliers?
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0 / 1
86. Social and environmental impact assessments (SEIAs) available, and associated management and monitoring plans?
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87. Company has provided valid legal documents to Open Timber Portal on impact assessments (at the time of SPOTT assessments)?
[Externally verified] The company has provided 4/42 valid legal documents to Open Timber Portal on impact assessments. 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.
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Soils, fire and GHG emissions0.5 / 24 2.1%
- Organisation: 0 / 6 0%
- Policy: 0.5 / 10 5%
- Practice: 0 / 8 0%
- Self-reported: 0 / 8 0%
- External: 0 / 8 0%
- Certified: 0 / 8 0%
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0 / 1
88. Commitment to no planting on peat of any depth?
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0 / 1
89. Commitment to no planting on peat of any depth applies to all suppliers?
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0 / 1
90. Landbank or planted area on peat (ha)?
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0 / 1
91. Implementation of commitment to no planting on peat of any depth?
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0 / 1
92. Commitment to best management practices for soils and peat?
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0 / 1
93. Commitment to best management practices for soils and peat applies to all suppliers?
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0 / 2
94. Evidence of best management practices for soils and peat?
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95. Commitment to reduced impact logging?
One of the company's subsidiaries commits to reduced impact logging. This does not cover the company's entire operations.
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0 / 1
96. Commitment to reduced impact logging applies to all suppliers?
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0 / 2
97. Evidence of implementing reduced impact logging practices?
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0 / 1
98. Commitment to zero burning?
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0 / 1
99. Commitment to zero burning applies to all suppliers?
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0 / 2
100. Evidence of fire monitoring and management?
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0 / 1
101. Details/number of hotspots/fires in company FMUs?
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0 / 1
102. Details/number of hotspots/fires in suppliers operations?
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0 / 1
103. Time-bound commitment to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity?
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0 / 1
104. GHG emissions intensity?
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0 / 1
105. GHG emissions from land use change in company's own operations (scope 1)?
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0 / 1
106. GHG emissions from land use change in supplier operations (scope 3)?
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0 / 1
107. Progress towards commitment to reduce GHG emissions intensity?
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0 / 1
108. Methodology used to calculate GHG emissions?
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Water, chemical and pest management0.5 / 24 2.1%
- Organisation: 0 / 2 0%
- Policy: 0 / 9 0%
- Practice: 0.5 / 13 3.9%
- Self-reported: 0.5 / 13 3.9%
- External: 0 / 13 0%
- Certified: 0 / 13 0%
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0 / 1
109. Time-bound commitment to improve water use intensity?
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0 / 1
110. Water use intensity?
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0 / 1
111. Progress towards commitment on water use intensity?
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0 / 1
112. Time-bound commitment to improve water quality (BOD or COD)?
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0 / 1
113. Progress towards commitment on water quality (BOD or COD)?
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0 / 1
114. Treatment of pulp and paper mill effluent?
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0 / 1
115. Evidence of sawmill run-off containment and wastewater treatment?
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0 / 1
116. Proportion of processing facilities with closed-loop water treatment system?
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117. Commitment to protect natural waterways through buffer zones?
The company's subsidiary has given information on sensitive zones for permanent waterways. However, no commitment was found and the data does not cover all operations.
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118. Implementation of commitment to protect natural waterways through buffer zones?
The company's subsidiary has given information on sensitive zones for permanent waterways. However, the information is undated.
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0 / 1
119. Commitment to minimise the use of chemicals, including pesticides and chemical fertilisers?
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0 / 1
120. Commitment to minimise the use of chemicals, including pesticides and chemical fertilisers, applies to all suppliers?
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0 / 1
121. Evidence of eliminating chlorine and chlorine compounds for bleaching?
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0 / 1
122. Commitment to no use of World Health Organisation (WHO) Class 1A and 1B pesticides?
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0 / 1
123. Commitment to no use of World Health Organisation (WHO) Class 1A and 1B pesticides applies to all suppliers?
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0 / 1
124. Commitment to no use of chemicals listed under the Stockholm Convention and Rotterdam Convention?
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0 / 1
125. Commitment to no use of chemicals listed under the Stockholm Convention and Rotterdam Convention applies to all suppliers?
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0 / 1
126. Chemical usage per ha or list of chemicals used?
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0 / 2
127. Implementation of commitment to minimise inorganic fertiliser usage?
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0 / 2
128. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach?
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129. Waste management system in place to avoid negative impacts?
One of the company's subsidiaries reports that it transforms sawmill waste into charcoal. However, the information does not cover the company's entire operations.
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Community, land and labour rights0.25 / 39 0.7%
- Organisation: 0 / 5 0%
- Policy: 0 / 21 0%
- Practice: 0.3 / 13 1.9%
- Self-reported: 0 / 13 0%
- External: 0.3 / 13 1.9%
- Certified: 0 / 13 0%
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130. Commitment to human rights?
The company one subsidiary states to contribute to women's rights. However, no commitment to human rights.
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0 / 1
131. Commitment to human rights applies to all suppliers?
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0 / 1
132. Progress on human rights commitment ?
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0 / 1
133. Commitment to respect Indigenous Peoples' and local communities' rights?
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0 / 1
134. Commitment to Indigenous Peoples' and local communities' rights applies to all suppliers?
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0 / 1
135. Commitment to respect legal and customary land tenure rights?
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0 / 1
136. Commitment to legal and customary land rights applies to all suppliers?
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0 / 1
137. Commitment to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC)?
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0 / 1
138. Commitment to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) applies to all suppliers?
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0 / 1
139. Details of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) process available?
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0 / 1
140. Examples of local stakeholder engagement to prevent conflicts?
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0 / 1
141. Details of process for addressing land conflicts available?
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142. Supports the inclusion of women across forestry operations, including addressing barriers faced?
The company states that it contributes to the emancipation of women and women's rights (GENDER aspects). However, the information is undated and does not cover the whole scope of the operation.
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143. Company has provided valid legal documents to Open Timber Portal on population rights (at the time of SPOTT assessments)?
[Externally verified] The company has provided 2/58 valid legal documents to Open Timber Portal on population rights. 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.
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0 / 1
144. Commitment to enable sustainable use of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) by local communities?
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0 / 1
145. Commitment to provide essential community services and facilities ?
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146. Progress on commitment to provide essential community services and facilities?
One of the company's subsidiaries reports that it provides medical services, clean drinking water, and electricity to the local people. However, the information is undated and does not cover the company's entire operations.
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0 / 1
147. Commitment to provide business/work opportunities for local communities?
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148. Company has provided valid legal documents to Open Timber Portal on labour regulations (at the time of SPOTT assessments)?
[Externally verified] The company has provided 5/23 valid legal documents to Open Timber Portal on labour regulations. 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.
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0 / 1
149. Commitment to Fundamental ILO Conventions or Free and Fair Labour Principles?
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0 / 1
150. Commitment to Fundamental ILO Conventions or Free and Fair Labour Principles applies to all suppliers?
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0 / 2
151. Progress on commitment to respect all workers' rights?
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0 / 1
152. Commitment to eliminate gender related discrimination with regards to employment?
-
0 / 1
153. Commitment to eliminate gender related discrimination with regards to employment applies to all suppliers?
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0 / 1
154. Progress on commitment to eliminate gender related discrimination with regards to employment?
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0 / 1
155. Percentage or number of temporary employees?
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0 / 1
156. Reports gender balance of employees?
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0 / 1
157. Commitment to pay a living wage?
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0 / 1
158. Commitment to pay a living wage applies to all suplliers?
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0 / 1
159. Progress on commitment to pay a living wage?
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0 / 1
160. Reporting of salary by gender?
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0 / 1
161. Commitment to address occupational health and safety?
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0 / 1
162. Commitment to address occupational health and safety applies to all suppliers?
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0 / 2
163. Provision of personal protective equipment and related training?
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0 / 1
164. Time lost due to work-based injuries?
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0 / 1
165. Number of fatalities as a result of work-based accidents?
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Smallholders and suppliers0 / 7 0%
- Organisation: 0 / 0 0%
- Policy: 0 / 4 0%
- Practice: 0 / 3 0%
- Self-reported: 0 / 3 0%
- External: 0 / 3 0%
- Certified: 0 / 3 0%
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0 / 1
166. Commitment to support smallholders?
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0 / 1
167. Programme to support outgrower scheme and/or independent smallholders?
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0 / 1
168. Number or percentage of outgrower scheme and/or independent smallholders involved in programme?
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0 / 1
169. Process used to prioritise, assess and/or engage non-smallholder suppliers on compliance with company's policy and/or legal requirements?
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0 / 1
170. Number or percentage of non-smallholder suppliers assessed and/or engaged on compliance with company's policy and/or legal requirements?
-
0 / 1
171. Suspension or exclusion criteria for suppliers?
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0 / 1
172. Timebound action plans (including Key Performance Indicators) for suppliers to be in compliance with timber and pulp sourcing commitments?
-
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173. Proportion of supply from suppliers that is verified as deforestation and/or conversion-free (DCF)?
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Governance and grievances0.32 / 9 3.5%
- Organisation: 0 / 0 0%
- Policy: 0 / 5 0%
- Practice: 0.3 / 4 7.9%
- Self-reported: 0 / 4 0%
- External: 0.3 / 4 7.9%
- Certified: 0 / 4 0%
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0 / 1
174. Commitment to ethical conduct and prohibition of corruption?
-
0 / 1
175. Commitment to ethical conduct and prohibition of corruption applies to all suppliers?
-
0 / 1
176. Progress on commitment to ethical conduct and prohibition of corruption?
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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 4/16 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.
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0 / 1
178. Disclosure of the company's management approach to tax and payments to governments?
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179. Company has provided valid legal documents to Open Timber Portal on taxes, fees and royalties (at the time of SPOTT assessments)?
[Externally verified] The company has provided 3/46 valid legal documents to Open Timber Portal on taxes, fees and royalties. 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.
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0 / 1
180. Whistleblowing procedure?
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0 / 1
181. Own grievance or complaints system open to all stakeholders?
-
0 / 1
182. Details of complaints and grievances disclosed?
SPOTT scores are based on the presence of external evidence made available by the company or third-parties.
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No date
Forestry and Transformation Company - CFT - WEBPAGE
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No date
Introduction - SODEFOR - WEBPAGE
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No date
CFT - OTP - WEBPAGE
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No date
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Concessions forestières (Forest Concessions) - GFW - WEBPAGE
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No date
Democratic Republic of the Congo Forest Titles - GFW - WEBPAGE
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No date
FORABOLA - OTP - WEBPAGE
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No date
La Forestiere Du Lac - OTP - WEBPAGE
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No date
SODEFOR - OTP - WEBPAGE
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No date
Sustainable Management - SODEFOR - WEBPAGE
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No date
TFT's Due Diligence Review - SODEFOR - WEBPAGE
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No date
Our Industries - SODEFOR - WEBPAGE
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No date
Harvest and Impact - SODEFOR - WEBPAGE
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March 2022
Dossier 1 - Le Bois-Énergie Durable (Case 1 - Sustainable Wood Energy)
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No date
Publications - CFT - WEBPAGE
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No date
Environmental and Social - SODEFOR - WEBPAGE
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No date
Health - SODEFOR - WEBPAGE
Media monitor: NordSud Timber
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 or score 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. The media monitor undergoes a full update at the time of publishing an assessment round, with ad-hoc updates throughout the year. This is not an exhaustive list of all media reports relevant to the company.
May 2023
DRC-Forêt: Is SODEFOR responsible for the weak development of the province of Maï-Ndombe?
March 2022
Revealed: Timber giant quietly converts Congo logging sites to carbon schemes
June 2018
New investigation reveals systemic illegal logging by European company in the DRC
January 2018
Bois illégal : la justice française doit agir (Illegal timber: French justice must act)
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Media monitor: NordSud Timber
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 or score 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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