ISO Standard at Danzer Group

The Environmental and Safety Management System (ESMS) of Danzer Group is based on the international standard ISO 14001:2004. It supplies the framework for the introduction and practical implementation of the ESMS, which covers all corporate activities that have an effect on the environment. The ISO 14001:2004 standard defines its requirements for an environmental management system in six chapters (General Requirements, Environmental Policy, Planning, Implementation and Operation, Review, Management Assessment) with fifteen further subsections. From the viewpoint of Danzer Group, the ISO standard is necessary for sustainably, effectively and responsibly fulfilling the demands of environmental protection at all levels of the corporate hierarchy. This applies to the entire value chain from forest management through processing up to the sale of our products. Certificates based on the ISO standard are awarded following audits by independent auditors and must be renewed at regular intervals. 

ISO Status Around the World

All companies of Danzer Group are expected to be certified in accordance with ISO Standard 14001:2004 by 2007 (except SIFORCO, which will presumably be certified by the end of 2009). In Europe, ISO certification covers production at two locations, Souvans (France) and Melnik (Czech Republic), as well as sales at offices in Germany, Belgium, Austria, Sweden and Great Britain. Independent auditors will start working on the audits for this purpose in early 2006 and should be finished by 2007.

In North America, the independent audits of production plants have been ongoing since 2004, and their ISO certification will be completed in the summer of 2006. Along with production processes, Danzer Group's wood procurement is audited in North America. This includes forest utilization, procurement of logs, wood yards and sales. The certification is completed.

In Africa, the sustainable forest management of Danzer Group is intended to be certified in accordance with the ISO 14001:2004 standard. To this end, the Group is writing up comprehensive forest management plans for its concessions, among other things. The Danzer subsidiary IFO in the Republic of Congo is supposed to receive its ISO certificate at the end of 2006, SIFORCO in the Democratic Republic of Congo at the end of 2009.