Samling Group

1. Sustainability policy or commitment for all timber, pulp and paper operations?

Samling has an Environmental Policy and a Sustainable Forest Management Policy. However, it is not clear whether these apply to all of their forestry operations.

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 industry schemes or other external initiatives to improve forest management or transparency?

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

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 land area managed/controlled for the production of wood/wood fibre (ha)?

3417000 - This figure refers to the company's natural forest and plantation areas. Information from an undated source. The company's 2011 annual report states an area of 3.6 million hectares.

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

2941000 - Information from an undated source.

10. Total area of forest plantation (ha)?

476000 - Information from an undated source.

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

12. Unplanted (areas designated for future planting as forest) (ha)?

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

14. Maps of forest management units (FMUs)?

Some of the company's FMU maps are available via WRI Global Forest Watch.

15. Forest management plans available?

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

16. Monitoring of forest management plan implementation?

17. Number of company owned pulp and paper mills?

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

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

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

19. Number of and names of supplying pulp and paper mills?

The indicator has been disabled as the company's reporting broadly suggests that it does not source from independent pulp and paper mills. Please note that ZSL was unable to confirm this.

20. Commitment to address deforestation?

The company has committed to not be directly or indirectly involved in the significant conversion of forests to plantations or non-forest use. This commitment is made through the FSC Policy for Association (FSC-POL-01-004).

21. Commitment to zero or no net deforestation?

22. Zero or no net deforestation commitment applies to outgrower scheme and independent suppliers?

23. 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). However, the publishing of data on levels of deforestation across the entirety of a company's operations is not required. Half points have therefore been awarded for this indicator on the basis of the company's FSC certified landbank, which stands at 35,013 ha (1% of total operational area).

24. Commitment to minimise the impact of logging roads?

25. Commitment to set aside areas for conservation?

26. Evidence 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 35,013 ha (1% of total operational area).

27. 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.

28. 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 35,013 ha (1% of total operational area).

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

The company commits to uphold international treaties and conventions on biodiversity.

30. Commitment to sustainably manage the use of non-timber forest products?

31. Commitment to protect forest areas from illegal activities?

The company only refers to protection from illegal encroachment within one FMU.

32. 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). The company also directly commits to not purchase any GMO wood.

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

34. Evidence 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 35,013 ha (1% of total operational area).

35. 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.

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

The company has committed 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.

37. High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments available?

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

39. Commitment to conduct High Carbon Stock (HCS) assessments?

40. High Carbon Stock (HCS) assessments available?

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

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

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

44. Commitment to reduced impact logging?

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

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

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

48. 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 35,013 ha (1% of total operational area).

49. Commitment to zero burning?

50. Commitment applies to outgrower scheme and independent suppliers?

51. 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.

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

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

54. Report GHG emission intensity?

55. Progress towards reducing GHG emission intensity?

56. Report GHG emissions from land use change?

57. Methodology used to calculate GHG emissions?

58. Time-bound commitment to improve water quality?

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

59. Progress towards commitment on water quality?

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

60. Protection of natural waterways through buffer zones?

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

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

62. Time-bound commitment to improve water use?

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

63. Progress towards commitment on water use?

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

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

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

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

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

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

68. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach?

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

70. 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.

71. 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.

72. 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.

73. 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.

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

75. FPIC commitment applies to independent suppliers?

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

The company provides details of its Engagement and Consultation Process, but does not explicitly mention FPIC.

77. Details of process for addressing land conflicts available?

The company states that they 'have in place a well-defined community relations policy that consists of a formal and systematic process of continuous engagement to achieve community consensus and acceptance. This partnership serves as a forum for all parties to work together, including the resolution of conflicts and disputes'. However, only limited detail is provided on how the company goes about addressing land conflicts.

78. Commitment to mitigate impacts on food security?

79. Commitment to respect all workers' rights?

80. 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).

81. Total number of employees?

16000 - The company states they have more than 16,000 employees worldwide. However, this figure is undated and other figures are reported elsewhere in the company's reporting.

82. Percentage or number of temporary employees?

83. Percentage or number of women employees?

84. Commitment to pay minimum wage?

85. 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.

86. Time lost due to work-based injuries?

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

88. Provision of personal protective equipment and related training?

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

44406 (1.2%) - The company has an FSC certificate for its New Zealand operations (35,013 ha) and an MTCS certificate for some of its operations in Malaysia (9,393 ha). The company also has certificates from GFS covering 294,457 ha in Malaysia; it is unclear whether these certificates covers both VLO and VLC and so these have been discounted.

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

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

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

93. Time-bound plan to source 100% FSC certified wood/wood fibre from independent suppliers?

94. Percentage area (ha) FSC certified?

35013 (1.02%) - FSC certifications covers only the companies New Zealand plantation.

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

96. Percentage area (ha) PEFC certified?

9393 (0.27%) - MTCS.

97. Programme to support outgrower scheme smallholders?

98. Percentage of outgrower scheme smallholders involved in programme?

99. Programme to support independent smallholders?

100. Percentage of independent smallholders involved in programme?

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

102. Suspension or exclusion criteria for suppliers?

103. Percentage of suppliers assessed and/or engaged?

104. 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.

105. Whistleblowing procedure?

106. Own grievance or complaints system?

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

108. Details of grievances disclosed, if anonymity not requested, including the following: - date - issue - complainant category - actions taken - status?