Third-Party Verifier for the case of Royal Golden Eagle (APRIL)

SmartCert is part of a select group of experts trusted by FSC to verify the progress made by these companies in addressing the damage they have caused, with the ultimate goal of re-admitting them to FSC certification. We are currently serving as a Third-Party Verifier in the case of Royal Golden Eagle (APRIL) in Indonesia.

SmartCert has earned a strong reputation for credibility among stakeholders in both the industrial forestry sector and environmental NGOs. Foresters trust that SmartCert’s assessments are impartial and fair, while NGOs know that our work is thorough and meticulous. This is why SmartCert is regularly called upon to assess some of the world’s most controversial forestry companies when their issues are significant and complex.

It’s undeniable: some forestry companies operate under controversial circumstances. They may face criticism from NGOs, or even be subject to FSC’s Policy on Association, which prevents them from applying for certification. This policy is applied by FSC when a company has unacceptable social or environmental practices, and FSC wants to protect its reputation by disassociating itself from that company. Some of these companies, having changed ownership or management, are now seeking to rectify past mistakes in order to become eligible for FSC certification once again. To support this, FSC has developed a rigorous process known as the “Remedy Framework,” which these companies can implement to restore the damaged land and compensate the affected communities.