Rainforest Alliance updates verification process for sustainable logging practices

26 January 2010 [MEDIAGLOBAL]: The Rainforest Alliance announced this week that it had updated its voluntary verification process for legal timber purchases, a mechanism which allows private companies to comply with national laws concerning logging and subscribe to more environmentally friendly business practices.

The Rainforest Alliance, a non-governmental organization that works to better the environment and promotes sustainable business practices, updated its existing procedures in light of new regulations and business practices. By providing an outside mechanism for businesses to ensure they are purchasing legally-cut timber, the Alliance is protecting the livelihoods of local populations and fulfilling a need for companies who are committed to similar visions.

Christian Sloth, the Verification Manager for the Alliance’s SmartWood program, described to MediaGlobal the benefits of having a third party verification process, saying, “Legality verification is considered a starting point for companies who wants to engage in a process towards sustainable forest management and sourcing.” He furthered explained that the process allows companies to communicate the legal status of their products.

The Alliance’s standards, which are adaptable to different national laws and voluntary for companies to undergo, take a tremendous step toward the eradication of illegal logging. By reducing the demand for illegally harvested wood by creating awareness, the Alliance hopes reduce the incentive for illegal logging practices. The benefits of more verification standards are multifold since a continuation of illegal logging not only further damages natural resources but also places indigenous populations at risk of losing their homes and livelihoods. Sloth made sure to emphasize that verification procedures for businesses are not meant to replace legally binding frameworks at the national level, stressing, “It should be underlined that Rainforest Alliance legality verification is a voluntary process that is solely based on the Rainforest Alliance’s definition of what can be included in a reasonable level of legal compliance.” Nonetheless, providing businesses an additional avenue to pursue sustainable goals can only strengthen the effort to create a better timber industry. By consistently updating its standards, the Rainforest Alliance is ensuring that effort remains effective and realistic. Ryan Dicovitsky