Samling Group

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

The company has an Environmental Policy and a Sustainable Forest Management Policy. However, it is not clear whether these apply to all of their forestry operations and they do not cover social issues.

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

3. High-level position of responsibility for sustainability?

4. Sustainability report published within last two years?

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

CDP.

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

The company states works with the Wildlife Conservation Society of New York (WCS) and the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) to conduct wildlife, biodiversity and conservation research and surveys in Malaysia.
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7. Lists countries and operations?

Malaysia (forest concessions and plantations, production facilities), New Zealand (forest plantation), Guyana (forest concessions, production facilities), People's Republic of China (forest plantation, production facilities).

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

2941000 - Information from an undated source.

9. Total area of forest plantation (ha)?

476000 - Information from an undated source.

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

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

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

2808 - Figure only refers to New Zealand plantation.

13. Area of Intact Forest Landscape (ha)?

14. Number of Forest Management Units (FMUs)?

15. Maps of forest management units (FMUs)?

10 maps for plantations in Sarawak are available. These do not cover all company operations.

16. Forest management plans available for all FMUs?

Forest Management Plans could only be found for operations in Sarawak.

17. Monitoring of forest management plan implementation?

18. Number of company owned pulp and paper mills?

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

20. Number of company owned sawmills?

The company has one certified sawmill, but it is not clear how many sawmills it has in total.

21. Maps or addresses of company owned sawmills?

22. Commitment to zero conversion of natural forest?

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

24. Commitment to minimise the impact of logging roads?

25. Commitment to protect forest areas from illegal activities?

The company only refers to protection from illegal encroachment within one FMU (Syarikat Samling Timber Sdn Bhd).

26. Evidence of monitoring deforestation?

The monitoring of forest extent and condition is covered by FSC Principles and Criteria (FSC-POL-01-004 V2-0 EN). Full points have therefore been awarded for this indicator on the basis of the company's FSC certified landbank, which stands at 35,014 ha (it is unclear what percentage of the total operational area this accounts for).

27. Amount of deforestation recorded?

28. Commitment to biodiversity conservation?

The company has a commitment to uphold international treaties and conventions on biodiversity and also to collaborate with local and international expert organisations to carry out research, development and monitoring programmes for conservation and protection.

29. Commitment to set aside areas for conservation?

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

The management and restoration of habitat is covered by FSC Principles and Criteria (FSC-POL-01-004 V2-0 EN). Full points have therefore been awarded for this indicator on the basis of the company's FSC certified landbank, which stands at 35,014 ha (it is unclear what percentage of the total operational area this accounts for).

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

The maintenance and restoration of appropriate landscape values, including environmental and economic resilience is covered by FSC Principles and Criteria (FSC-POL-01-004 V2-0 EN). However, this commitment does not extend to active engagement with stakeholders outside of the Forest Management Unit. Half points have therefore been awarded for this indicator on the basis of the company's FSC certified landbank, which stands at 35,014 ha (it is unclear what percentage of the total operational area this accounts for).

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

It is not clear whether the company's biodiversity commitment applies to all of its operations.

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

34. 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).

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

36. Examples of species conservation activities?

The protection of rare, threatened and endangered species and their habitats, and the maintenance of ecological functions and values is covered by FSC Principles and Criteria (FSC-POL-01-004 V2-0 EN). Full points have therefore been awarded for this indicator on the basis of the company's FSC certified landbank, which stands at 35,014 ha (it is unclear what percentage of the total operational area this accounts for).

37. 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.

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

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.

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

40. High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments available?

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

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

43. High Carbon Stock (HCS) assessments available?

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

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

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

47. Commitment to reduced impact logging?

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

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

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

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

The conservation of soils, including control of erosion and minimising damage during operations is covered by FSC Principles and Criteria (FSC-POL-01-004 V2-0 EN). However, specific provisions are not set out for peatland operations. Half points have therefore been awarded for this indicator on the basis of the company's FSC certified landbank, which stands at 35,024 ha (it is unclear what percentage of the total operational area this accounts for).

52. Commitment to zero burning?

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

54. Evidence of management and monitoring fires?

The company states that it involves some communities in a Community Skills Programme which encourages indigenous communities to eradicate 'slash and burn' practices. The company also held a fire safety awareness course. No evidence could be found of fire monitoring activities.

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

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

57. Progress towards reducing GHG emission intensity?

58. Report GHG emissions from land use change?

59. Methodology used to calculate GHG emissions?

60. Time-bound commitment to improve water quality?

61. Progress towards commitment on water quality?

62. Protection of natural waterways through buffer zones?

The company has some riparian buffer zones, but it is unclear if these are in place across all operations.

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

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

65. Time-bound commitment to improve water use?

66. Progress towards commitment on water use?

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

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

The company generates renewable energy through wood waste.

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

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

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

72. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach?

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

The company reports 70kg/ha of fertiliser and 4 to 5 litres/ha of herbicide use for one of its concessions.

74. Commitment to human rights, referencing the UN Declaration of 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.

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

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.

76. 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.

77. 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.

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

79. FPIC commitment applies to independent suppliers?

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

81. Details of process for addressing land conflicts available?

The company states that they have a community relations policy. However, only limited detail is provided on how the company goes about addressing land conflicts.

82. Commitment to mitigate impacts on food security?

The company provides a case study on programs with local communities to improve food security but no commitment could be found.

83. Commitment to provide essential community services and facilities?

FSC Principles and Criteria (FSC-POL-01-004 V2-0 EN) require certified organisations to contribute to the social and economic development of local communities. Full points have therefore been awarded for this indicator on the basis of the company's FSC certified landbank, which stands at 35,014 ha (it is unclear what percentage of the total operational area this accounts for).

84. Commitment to respect all workers' rights?

85. 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).

86. Total number of employees?

The company reports various undated figures on its website, ranging from 13,000 to 20,000 employees.

87. Percentage or number of temporary employees?

88. Percentage or number of women employees?

89. Commitment to pay minimum wage?

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

The company has a Health, Safety and Environment policy, but this does not reference the ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Forestry Work.

91. Time lost due to work-based injuries?

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

93. Provision of personal protective equipment and related training?

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

573463 - The company has an FSC certificate for its New Zealand operations (35,014 ha), two MTCS certificates in Malaysia (20,193 ha), and four STLVS certificates in Malaysia (518,256 ha), however the percentage area this covers cannot be accurately calculated.

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

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

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

98. Percentage area (ha) FSC FM certified?

35014 - FSC certifications covers only the companies New Zealand plantation and the percentage area this covers cannot be accurately calculated.

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

100. Percentage area (ha) PEFC certified?

20193 - The company has Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS) certification. However, the percentage area this covers cannot be accurately calculated.

101. Programme to support outgrower scheme smallholders?

102. Percentage of outgrower scheme smallholders involved in programme?

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

104. Suspension or exclusion criteria for suppliers?

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

106. Commitment to ethical conduct and prohibition of corruption?

The company's 2011 Annual Report states they are committed to 'ensuring all aspects of the business are conducted in a way that promotes ethical and sustainable practices'. A commitment on the prohibition of corruption could not be identified.

107. Whistleblowing procedure?

108. Own grievance or complaints system?

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

110. Details of grievances disclosed?