Cikel Group

1. Sustainable forestry policy or commitment for all its 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?

The company produced a sustainability report in 2010.

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

The company is an FSC member and their 2010 Sustainability Report is hosted on the GRI database.

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

Partnership with the Tropical Forest Institute (IFT) to disseminate low impact harvesting practices in forest management. Promotes academic and scientific development through partnerships with institutions such as: Rural University of Amazonia (UFRA), Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Embrapa Amazônia Oriental and others.

7. Lists countries and operations?

The company reports that its timber exploration and processing operations are located in Pará and Maranhao states, Brazil.

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

450000 - Approximate figure and from an undated source.

9. Total area of forest plantation (ha)?

3000

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)?

34992.3 - In 2010, the company reported that it had areas set aside for conservation within High Conservation Value areas, Permanent Preservation Areas, and to meet FSC requirements. This information is more than five years old.

13. Area of Intact Forest Landscape (ha)?

14. Number of Forest Management Units (FMUs)?

15. Maps of forest management units (FMUs)?

16. Forest management plans available for all FMUs?

17. Monitoring of forest management plan implementation?

18. Number of company owned pulp and paper mills?

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

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

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

20. Number of company owned sawmills?

Addresses for two sawn wood locations are provided on the company's website. The information is undated and it is not clear if this is representative of all the company's operations.

21. Maps or addresses of company owned sawmills?

Addresses for two sawn wood locations are provided on the company's website. The information is undated and it is not clear if this is representative of all the company's operations.

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?

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 183,494.08 ha (% of total operational area is unclear).

27. Amount of deforestation recorded?

28. Commitment to biodiversity conservation?

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 183,494.08 ha (% of total operational area is unclear).

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 183,494.08 ha (% of total operational area is unclear).

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

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 183,494.08 ha (% of total operational area is unclear).

37. Commitment to conduct High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments?

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?

The company states that it uses reduced impact logging techniques, but does not provide full details.

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 183,494.08 ha (% of total operational area is unclear).

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 reported that they have active fire brigades. No examples of monitoring activity could be identified.

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 states that it maps areas around water courses and avoids forest management activities within these areas. It is not clear whether this applies to all the company's operations.

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

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

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

65. Time-bound commitment to improve water use?

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

66. Progress towards commitment on water use?

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

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

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

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

The company states that it has a Solid Waste Management Program, but this is not clearly in relation to wood waste from sawmills.

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?

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?

82. Commitment to mitigate impacts on food security?

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 183,494.08 ha (% of total operational area is unclear).

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?

2500 - Information from an undated source.

87. Percentage or number of temporary employees?

88. Percentage or number of women employees?

111 - Data as of 2010.

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's policy states that aims to prevent and minimize risks to health and safety, but does not make reference to 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?

183494 - The company states that '100% of the forest area of the Cikel Group, 183,494.08 ha, is certified' and that it 'handles around 450,000 hectares of forests on northern Brazil, located on Para and Maranhao States'. These sources are undated. The 2017 FSC audit refers to a certified area of 183,494.08 ha. As it is not possible to accurately determine the percentage of certified area due to undated and conflicting information, the company has not received points for this indicator.

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?

183494 - The company states that '100% of the forest area of the Cikel Group, 183,494.08 ha, is certified' and also that it "handles around 450,000 hectares of forests on northern Brazil, located on Para and Maranhao States. These areas are destined to the wood extraction and processing for floors and other products." Both of these data sources are undated. The 2017 FSC audit refers to a certified area of 183,494.08 ha. As it is not possible to accurately determine the percentage of certified area due to undated and conflicting information, the company has not received points for this indicator.

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?

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 states they are committed to the prohibition of corruption, but do not mention ethical conduct.

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?