PEFC publishes results of complaint based on recent Earthsight allegations

3 March 2021 News

In response to information provided by Earthsight indicating potential non-compliances with PEFC International's certification requirements, PEFC filed formal complaints against BM Group, Logistic Les, Azia Export, and SDS Logistics with SGS, the relevant certification body in these cases.

SGS investigated the complaint in compliance with the SGS Certification and Business Enhancement Complaints, Disputes and Appeals Policy and Process. 

SGS reports that “[t]he SGS investigations did not discover any indication of illegal logging carried out by the BM Group within the scope of the PEFC FM certificates. Loggings were conducted within the long-term lease agreements, the ‘priority forest development investment project’ and forest declarations, that were approved by the regional forestry agency of Khabarovskiy Krai” and that “[a]ccording to SGS’s investigation, no evidence has been detected that timber sold by the BM Group was not compliant with Russian Legislation or the PEFC Standard.”

SGS also notes that the Chain of Custody certificates for Logistic Les and Azia Export had been terminated after the related forest leases were withdrawn by the authorities.  

PEFC and certification bodies take allegations of misconduct and non-compliance with our standard seriously. We encourage everybody to forward information and evidence of suspected activities to the complaints and appeals mechanism of the respective certification body.