關注FSC受控木材風險評估，避免木材貿易中的經濟損失 - 立雍科技實業有限公司｜膠合棧板｜紙棧板｜木棧板

Companies that have obtained FSC-mixed certification and use controlled timber will find that since the FSC organization implemented the FSC-STD-40-005 V2 standard (Company Assessment Standard for FSC Controlled Timber) on January 1, 2007, the requirements for controlling FSC-controlled timber have become increasingly detailed and stringent. Many companies feel that the new standard adds significantly more content than FSC-STD-40-005 V1 in implementing controlled timber management. Some companies even believe that controlling timber management is impossible for some domestic timber processors to fully implement, especially in the risk assessment stage. However, it is important to note that if a company purchases controlled timber but neglects certain requirements during the risk assessment process, the purchased materials may not be usable in the production of FSC-mixed products, or the produced products may not be able to be sold as FSC-certified products. The resulting economic losses could be substantial. Therefore, we should spend more time conducting risk assessments for controlled timber.

FSC-controlled timber should avoid the following five sources:

Illegal logging;
Violating tradition and residents' rights;
Logging activities threaten forests of high conservation value;
The conversion of natural forests to plantations or non-forest uses ;
The wood comes from genetically modified trees.

FSC-STD-40-005 V2 provides two pathways for sourcing controlled timber. The first is to purchase raw materials from suppliers already certified to sell controlled timber (FSC). The second is for the company to conduct its own FSC controlled timber assessment process and purchase raw materials from uncertified suppliers. The first pathway is the simplest, but currently only two companies in China have obtained FSC controlled timber sales certification. Internationally, there are not many companies with this certification either, and finding a suitable supplier is not easy. Most companies still conduct their own FSC controlled timber assessment processes and purchase raw materials from uncertified suppliers. Timber from a region can only be purchased if the source can be proven to be low-risk.

Completing a detailed FSC-controlled timber risk assessment report is essential for every company using controlled timber. Before conducting a risk assessment report, I believe it's crucial to understand the origin of the timber being purchased. Without knowing the timber's source, you cannot effectively conduct a risk assessment.

The following requirements must be considered when conducting a risk assessment:

Regarding "illegal logging," a low-risk assessment can be established if the following requirements can be demonstrated to be met:

1.1 There is evidence of enforceable laws and regulations in the logging area;

1.2 There is evidence in the logging area that logging and trading are legal, including a sound and effective system for approving logging permits;

1.3 There are few or no reports of illegal logging in the source area;

1.4 There is an incorruptible agency responsible for approving or issuing logging permits, and other laws that are enforced in relation to logging and timber trade.
The risk of "violations of traditional or civil rights" can be considered low if the following requirements can be demonstrated to be met:

2.1 The country of origin of the timber is not a country whose timber exports are prohibited by the UN Security Council;

2.2 The country or region is not an area of disputed timber origin;

2.3 There is no employment of child labor or violation of ILO (International Labour Organization) fundamental principles and rights in the forest areas of the region;

2.4 Recognized and equitable methods have been established locally to resolve conflicts relating to traditional rights, including use rights, cultural heritage, or locally recognized traditional culture;

2.5 There are no violations of the rights of local peoples and indigenous peoples under ILO Agreement 169 in the forest areas of the region.
The risk of "logging activities threatening forests of high conservation value" can be considered low when the following conditions are met:

3.1 Forest management activities at the relevant level (ecological zone, subecological zone, local) do not threaten important forest areas of high conservation value.

3.2 There is a strong protection system (protected areas or laws) in the locality to ensure the existence of forest areas of high conservation value.
The conversion of natural forests to plantations or non-forest uses can be considered low-risk when the following conditions are met:

4.1 Regarding ecological area maintenance, there is no net loss of ecosystems in natural forests and other forest diversity, and no significant rate of loss (more than 0.5% per year) occurs, such as in grasslands.
A tree with genetically modified timber is considered low-risk if any of the following conditions are met:

5.1 There are no genetically modified tree species for commercial use in the country or region in question;

5.2 A license is required for genetically modified tree species for commercial use, and no such license exists;

5.3 The use of genetically modified tree species for commercial use is prohibited in the country in question.

Once you have assessed the above items, if the assessment results are all low-risk, then you can source controlled materials from this region. If the assessment results are high-risk, then it's best to abandon the idea of sourcing materials from this region. Continue searching for qualified controlled timber suppliers; only by purchasing and using reliable controlled timber can you avoid economic losses in the timber trade. It is hoped that every company using controlled timber will make good use of the risk assessment process and complete the risk assessment for controlled timber.