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Rimbunan Hijau Group

Timber and pulp assessment
Total score: 9.5%
  • Latest update: August 2024
  • Next scheduled: August 2025
Show media reports (39) Modify score weighting
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    Private company
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    Private company
  • Website:
    http://rhg.com.my/rhg_v2/en/welcome/
  • 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: Rimbunan Hijau Group – July 2019

Assessment date:

Expand all categories
Total: 9.5% 11.5 / 121

  • Sustainability policy and leadership Sustainability policy and leadership
    0 / 9 0%
    2 media reports
    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 1

      2. Sustainability policy or commitment applies to all sourcing?

    • N
      0 / 1

      3. High-level position of responsibility for sustainability?

    • N

      4. One or more board members have responsibility for sustainability?

      This indicator is disabled as the company is not publicly listed.

    • N

      5. Percentage or number of women board members?

      This indicator is disabled as the company is not publicly listed.

    • N
      0 / 1

      6. Percentage or number of women in senior management team?

    • N
      0 / 1

      7. Sustainability report published within last two years?

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 1
      Source

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

    • N
      0 / 1

      10. Climate risks assessment available?

    • N
      0 / 1

      11. Natural capital assessment available?

  • Landbank, mills and traceability Landbank, mills and traceability
    3.5 / 21 16.7%
    10 media reports
    • Y
      1 / 1
      Source

      12. Lists countries and operations?

      Guyana (timber and sawmill); China (plywood manufacturing); Equatorial Guinea (timber); Gabon (timber, sawmill, manufacturing), Indonesia (timber); Malaysia (timber, sawmill, manufacturing); New Zealand (timber and reforestation); PNG (timber, sawmill, manufacturing); Russia (timber, sawmill).

    • N
      0 / 1
      Source

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

      1210570 - Based on WRI GFW data the company has at least 1,210,567 ha natural forest in Gabon and Malaysia. However, this data does not cover all the company's operations.

    • P
      0.5 / 1
      Source

      14. Total area of forest plantation (ha)?

      231648 - The company has at least 231,648 ha of plantation under its subsidiaries Subur Tiasa and Jaya Tiasa, but this does not cover all of the company's operations.

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 1
      Source

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

    • N
      0 / 1

      18. Area of Intact Forest Landscape (ha)?

    • N
      0 / 1

      19. Number of Forest Management Units (FMUs)?

    • P
      0.5 / 1
      Source

      20. Maps of forest management units (FMUs)?

      Maps for some of the company's FMUs in Malaysia and Gabon are available on WRI Global Forest Watch. However, this data does not cover the company's entire operations.

    • P
      0.5 / 1
      Source

      21. Forest management plans available for all FMUs?

      The company's subsidiary, Jaya Tiasa, has made available a summary of its Forest Management Plan for one FMU of 45,035 ha. This does not cover the full scope of the company's timber operations.

    • N
      0 / 1

      22. Monitoring of forest management plan implementation?

    • N

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

      This indicator is disabled as the company reports that it doesn't operate in a geography currently covered by Open Timber Portal.

    • N

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

      This indicator is disabled as the company reports that it doesn't operate in a geography currently covered by Open Timber Portal.

    • N

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

      This indicator is disabled as the company reports that it doesn't operate in a geography currently covered by Open Timber Portal.

    • N

      26. 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

      27. 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.

    • N
      0 / 1
      Source

      28. Number of company owned sawmills?

    • N
      0 / 1

      29. Maps or addresses of company owned sawmills?

    • N
      0 / 1

      30. Number of supplier mills?

    • N
      0 / 1

      31. Maps or addresses of supplier mills?

    • P
      0.5 / 1
      Source

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

      The company has FSC CoC certification which only covers the certified portion of its supply.

    • P
      0.5 / 1
      Source

      33. Procedures to trace raw materials to FMU level?

      The company has FSC CoC certification which only covers the certified portion of its supply.

    • N
      0 / 2

      34. Percentage of supply traceable to country level (above 80%)?

    • N
      0 / 2

      35. Percentage of supply traceable to FMU level (above 75%)?

  • Deforestation and biodiversity Deforestation and biodiversity
    1 / 12 8.3%
    22 media reports
    • N
      0 / 1

      36. Commitment to zero conversion of natural forest?

    • N
      0 / 1

      37. Zero conversion commitment applies to all sourcing?

    • N
      0 / 1

      38. Commitment to minimise the impact of logging roads?

    • N
      0 / 1

      39. Commitment to protect forest areas from illegal activities?

    • N
      0 / 1

      40. Evidence of monitoring deforestation?

    • N
      0 / 1

      41. Amount of deforestation recorded?

    • N
      0 / 1
      Source

      42. Commitment to biodiversity conservation?

      The company's subsidiary Jaya Tiasa states that it aims to conserve biodiversity, but this does not cover all company operations.

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • Y
      1 / 1
      Source

      47. Commitment not to use genetically modified organisms?

      The company has committed to not be directly or indirectly involved in the introduction of genetically modified organisms in forestry operations. This commitment is made through the FSC Policy for Association (FSC-POL-01-004).

  • HCV, HCS and impact assessments HCV, HCS and impact assessments
    1 / 8 12.5%
    2 media reports
    • P
      0.5 / 1
      Source

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

      The company does not have a direct commitment to conduct HCV assessments across all of its operations. However, the company has committed to not be directly or indirectly involved in the destruction of high conservation values in forestry operations. This commitment is made through the FSC Policy for Association (FSC-POL-01-004). For this half points are awarded.

    • P
      0.5 / 1
      Source

      49. HCV commitment applies to all sourcing?

      The company has committed to not be directly or indirectly involved in the destruction of high conservation values in forestry operations. This commitment is made through the FSC Policy for Association (FSC-POL-01-004). For this half points are awarded.

    • N

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

      This indicator is disabled until sufficient number of HCV ALS licensed assessors are available for the location where the company operates.

    • N
      0 / 1

      51. High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments available?

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 1

      54. High Carbon Stock (HCS) assessments available?

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N

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

      This indicator is disabled as the company reports that it doesn't operate in a geography currently covered by Open Timber Portal.

  • Soils, fire and GHGs Soils, fire and GHGs
    0.5 / 14 3.6%
    1 media report
    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • P
      0.5 / 1
      Source

      59. Commitment to reduced impact logging?

      The company's subsidiaries have various commitments: Jaya Tiasa has a commitment to Reduced impact logging (RIL); Subur Tiasa states it adopts RIL; and Rimbunan Hijau PNG details RIL techniques. However, the company does not have a RIL commitment that covers all of its operations.

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 1

      61. Commitment on peatland planting applies to all sourcing?

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 1
      Source

      64. Commitment to zero burning?

    • N
      0 / 1

      65. Commitment to zero burning applies to all sourcing?

    • N
      0 / 1

      66. Evidence of management and monitoring fires?

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 1

      69. Progress towards reducing GHG emission intensity?

    • N
      0 / 1

      70. Report GHG emissions from land use change?

    • N
      0 / 1

      71. Methodology used to calculate GHG emissions?

  • Water, chemical and waste management Water, chemical and waste management
    0 / 9 0%
    3 media reports
    • N
      0 / 1

      72. Time-bound commitment to improve water quality (BOD and COD)?

    • N
      0 / 1
      Source

      73. Progress towards commitment on water quality (BOD and COD)?

    • N
      0 / 1

      74. Commitment to protection of natural waterways through buffer zones?

    • N

      75. 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.

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N

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

      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

      78. Progress towards commitment on water use intensity?

      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

      79. Commitment 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.

    • N
      0 / 1
      Source

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

      Only one of the company's subsidiaries, Jaya Tiasa, mentions reducing the use of pesticides. This does not cover all of the company's operations.

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 1
      Source

      83. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach?

      Only one of the company's subsidiaries, Jaya Tiasa, mentions to use IPM and only in relation to its palm oil operations.

    • N
      0 / 1

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

  • Community, land and labour rights Community, land and labour rights
    5.5 / 22 25%
    25 media reports
    • Y
      1 / 1
      Source

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

      The company has committed to not be directly or indirectly involved in the violation of human rights in forestry operations. This commitment is made through the FSC Policy for Association (FSC-POL-01-004), which defines human rights as those established through the UN Declaration of Human Rights.

    • Y
      1 / 1
      Source

      86. Commitment to human rights applies to all sourcing?

      The company has committed to not be directly or indirectly involved in the violation of human rights in forestry operations. This commitment is made through the FSC Policy for Association (FSC-POL-01-004), which defines human rights as those established through the UN Declaration of Human Rights.

    • Y
      1 / 1
      Source

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

      The company has committed to not be directly or indirectly involved in the violation of human rights in forestry operations. This commitment is made through the FSC Policy for Association (FSC-POL-01-004), which encompasses the rights of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples as established by the ILO Convention 169.

    • P
      0.5 / 1
      Source

      88. Commitment to respect legal and customary property rights?

      The company has committed to not be directly or indirectly involved in the violation of traditional rights in forestry operations. This commitment is made through the FSC Policy for Association (FSC-POL-01-004), which encompasses customary rights. This policy does not reference legal rights and no reference to legal rights could be found in company sources.

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 1

      90. FPIC commitment applies to independent suppliers?

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 1

      92. Examples of local stakeholder engagement to prevent conflicts?

    • N
      0 / 1

      93. Details of process for addressing land conflicts available?

    • N
      0 / 1

      94. Commitment to support the inclusion of women across forestry operations, including addressing barriers faced?

    • Y
      1 / 1
      Source

      95. Commitment to provide essential community services and facilities?

    • N

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

      This indicator is disabled as the company reports that it doesn't operate in a geography currently covered by Open Timber Portal.

    • N
      0 / 1
      Source

      97. Commitment to respect all workers' rights?

      Only one of the company's subsidiaries, Jaya Tiasa, has a policy to respect the human rights of all employees in their palm oil operations. This policy does not cover all of the company's operations.

    • Y
      1 / 1
      Source

      98. Reference to Fundamental ILO Conventions?

      The company has committed to not be directly or indirectly involved in the violation of any of the ILO Core Conventions. This commitment is made through the FSC Policy for Association (FSC-POL-01-004).

    • N
      0 / 1

      99. Commitment to eliminate gender related discrimination with regards to employment and occupation?

    • N

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

      This indicator is disabled as the company reports that it doesn't operate in a geography currently covered by Open Timber Portal.

    • N
      0 / 1

      101. Percentage or number of temporary employees?

    • N
      0 / 1

      102. Percentage or number of women employees?

    • N
      0 / 1

      103. Payment of minimum wage?

    • N
      0 / 1

      104. Reporting of salary by gender?

    • N
      0 / 1
      Source

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

      Only the company's subsidiary, Jaya Tiasa, has a health and safety policy for its palm oil operations. This policy does not cover all of the companies operations and does not reference the ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Forestry Work.

    • N
      0 / 1

      106. Time lost due to work-based injuries?

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 1

      108. Provision of personal protective equipment and related training?

  • Certification standards Certification standards
    0 / 14 0%
    8 media reports
    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 1

      113. Time-bound plan for achieving 100% FSC FM certification of FMUs or achieved 100% FSC-certification of FMUs?

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 2
      Source

      115. Percentage area (ha) FSC FM certified?

      144384 - The company's subsidiary Ernslaw One has 144,384 ha FSC certified in New Zealand, however the % of the company's total landbank this covers is unclear.

    • N
      0 / 2

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

    • N
      0 / 2

      117. Percentage of all wood/wood fibre supply traded/processed that are FSC certified (above 75%)?

    • N
      0 / 2

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

  • Smallholders and suppliers Smallholders and suppliers
    0 / 6 0%
    • N
      0 / 1

      119. Programme to support outgrower scheme smallholders?

    • N
      0 / 1

      120. Percentage of outgrower scheme smallholders involved in programme?

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 1

      122. The company has a Due Diligence System (DDS)?

    • N
      0 / 1

      123. Suspension or exclusion criteria for suppliers?

    • N
      0 / 1

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

  • Governance and grievances Governance and grievances
    0 / 6 0%
    21 media reports
    • N
      0 / 1

      125. Commitment to ethical conduct and prohibition of corruption?

    • N

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

      This indicator is disabled as the company reports that it doesn't operate in a geography currently covered by Open Timber Portal.

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N

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

      This indicator is disabled as the company reports that it doesn't operate in a geography currently covered by Open Timber Portal.

    • N
      0 / 1

      129. Whistleblowing procedure?

    • N
      0 / 1

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

    • N
      0 / 2

      131. Details of grievances disclosed?

Media monitor: Rimbunan Hijau Group

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.

All media reports (39)
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April 2023

Timber barons v carbon brokers: the Kamula Doso forest area in PNG

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December 2021

New research reveals how commercial banks have supported PNG's destructive logging boom

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May 2021

Sarawak Logging Giants To Be Held To Account Not By Malaysia But By PNG! MAJOR DEVELOPMENT

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April 2021

Is Rimbunan Hijau Ending Its Plunder of PNG Forests

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Janaury 2021

Papua tribe moves to block clearing of its ancestral forest for palm oil

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February 2020

How Sarawak's Timber Barons Samling Are Evading A Multi-Million Dollar Court Judgement In PNG

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January 2020

Sarawak rep's sons linked to timber firm in South Pacific scandal

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January 2020

Report: Sarawakian logging firms party to Papua New Guinea's deforestation

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January 2020

Predator Logging Company Thrown Out Of Solomon Islands Is Owned By Sons Of Elected Sarawak YB - EXPOSE!

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January 2020

Report: Sarawakian logging firms party to Papua New Guinea’s deforestation

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November 2019

Role of Malaysian banks in PNG deforestation highlighted

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February 2019

Kesepakatan Rahasia Hancurkan Hutan Papua, Berikut Foto dan Videonya(Secret Agreement to Destroy Papuan Forests, Following Photos and Videos)

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January 2019

Mighty Earth Rapid Response - Report 12

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December 2018

A carbon bomb in Papua: 7 takeaways from our investigation

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September 2018

The great timber heist, illegal logging and tax evasion in Papua New Guinea

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September 2018

Tolaga Bay forestry company's illegal logging history revealed

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August 2018

‘High risk’ that China’s timber from PNG is illegal: New report

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August 2017

Stained Trade: How U.S. imports of exotic flooring from China risk driving the theft of indigenous land and deforestation in Papua New Guinea

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August 2017

Timber Legality Risk Assessment - Papua New Guinea

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June 2017

Rimbunan Hijau has Catholic lay missionary deported

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No article found for the selected categories.

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