- ‘Agent Green’ evaluated a number of international wood processing companies in Romania: Holzindustrie Schweighofer well rated
- Secure supply chain – wood deliveries transparently traceable
- Robust measures that optimally ensure only legally harvested wood is processed
- Structured dialogue with environmental organisations
The Romanian environmental NGO ‘Agent Green’ published a study on the performance of international wood processing companies in Romania. The goal of the study was to determine which of the 11 evaluated companies take substantial measures to combat the phenomenon of illegal logging in the country, and in particular to support better protection of the Romanian national parks. The following criteria were assessed, all of which were met by Holzindustrie Schweighofer:
- No acceptance of timber from virgin forest areas. No acceptance of timber from the buffer zones of national parks.
- No acceptance of timber harvested illegally in Romania or other countries.
- A strict security architecture and due diligence teams ensure that the company acts in accordance with the European Timber Regulation (EUTR) and Romanian forestry laws.
- Assurance of a traceable and transparent supply chain.
- Publication of all logging concessions to prove the lawful origins of all processed timber.
- Open doors policy: Following an initial registration, NGOs may inspect the facilities of the company at any time, even without prior announcement.
Michael Proschek-Hauptmann, Head of Compliance and Sustainability at Holzindustrie Schweighofer: “We are pleased with the good appraisal of our efforts for a sustainable timber industry in Romania. Especially since the assessment comes from an NGO that has been keeping a watchful and critical eye on us for years, it is a motivation for us to continue along the path we have chosen, also focusing on making progress with our own log yards. Although we do not harvest any trees in Romania, it is one of our declared goals to support the state and the civil society in their fight against unlawful logging within the scope of our possibilities.”
Further information (in Romanian only):
www.agentgreen.ro/cele-mai-mari-fabrici-de-procesare-lemnului-spun-nu-lemnului-din-parcurile-nationale-si-din-padurile-virgine/
